Will this work: putting an above ground pool in a hole...?
Jul 26th 2018, 1:54 am
#1
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2016
Location: Alvaiázere, central Portugal
Posts: 591
Will this work: putting an above ground pool in a hole...?
Obviously it is technically straightforward. The question I have is whether a free-standing (ie ‘temporary’) pool placed in a hole would get round the licensing and permissions requirements, and would not increase the taxable value of the property. I was told today that it would - but it seems too good to be true.
Any comments?
Any comments?
Jul 26th 2018, 8:03 am
#2
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 660
Re: Will this work: putting an above ground pool in a hole...?
Local council planning office will always be the best source of info - they are actually friendly and keen to help. The rule of thumb definition they use as described to me, is whether concrete is used. If it is then a permanent structure is being created and that requires planning permission. So digging an unsupported hole in the earth and putting what is supposed to be an above ground pool in it will in theory get around the rules at the expense of creating something of a mess. The earth if unsupported will fall in over time unless raked back at an angle, which will break the pool. In the winter the earth hole will fill with water and float the inner plastic pool unless you remove it completely. You are in danger of slipping between the two unless you put planks across for access, If you are going to the bother of digging a hole then why not do the job properly ? At least then it will add value to the property
Jul 26th 2018, 8:13 am
#3
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2016
Location: Alvaiázere, central Portugal
Posts: 591
Re: Will this work: putting an above ground pool in a hole...?
Thanks, MrBife. The thought would be to put in a rigid pool, and take steps to avoid the kind of problems you outline. Completely agree with you about having a proper in-ground pool, but we suspect that permissions will not be granted for the area we propose, hence this potential work-around.
Jul 26th 2018, 9:02 am
#4
I still dont believe it..
Joined: Oct 2013
Location: 12 degrees north
Posts: 2,777
Re: Will this work: putting an above ground pool in a hole...?
Whats to stop you digging the hole and plastic sheet lining it like a pond?
if the hole is lined with tiff, almost non compactable fine gravel and sand mix, it becomes like concrete when compressed but can be dug out, that can make almost vertical walls, as can adobe mud brick. One can cheat by adding admix pva adhesive too...
if the hole is lined with tiff, almost non compactable fine gravel and sand mix, it becomes like concrete when compressed but can be dug out, that can make almost vertical walls, as can adobe mud brick. One can cheat by adding admix pva adhesive too...
Jul 26th 2018, 9:07 am
#5
Banned
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 26,724
Re: Will this work: putting an above ground pool in a hole...?
Whats to stop you digging the hole and plastic sheet lining it like a pond?
if the hole is lined with tiff, almost non compactable fine gravel and sand mix, it becomes like concrete when compressed but can be dug out, that can make almost vertical walls, as can adobe mud brick. One can cheat by adding admix pva adhesive too...
if the hole is lined with tiff, almost non compactable fine gravel and sand mix, it becomes like concrete when compressed but can be dug out, that can make almost vertical walls, as can adobe mud brick. One can cheat by adding admix pva adhesive too...
Its the local camera who will decide what is or what is not acceptable...
Jul 26th 2018, 9:28 am
#6
I still dont believe it..
Joined: Oct 2013
Location: 12 degrees north
Posts: 2,777
Re: Will this work: putting an above ground pool in a hole...?
Remember adobe is used in the uk. Eco peeps use 2ft thick stuff, needs refacing every 20 years, or forever if you pva spray it. Take a lok at ancient timbuktoo, it rains in the winter there too, but with repair some are 500 years old. Its just that portugal i suspect hasnt tried.
Jul 26th 2018, 10:01 am
#7
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 660
Re: Will this work: putting an above ground pool in a hole...?
If they totally refuse permission for a swimming pool then ask instead if you can have a 'tanque' an open water storage cisterna used for storing water for irrigation purposes. 
Tell them you want to have some on site water storage in case of a fire - they will respond well to that idea ! I have seen a few of those that are 10m x 5m and 1,5m deep !
Tell them you want to have some on site water storage in case of a fire - they will respond well to that idea ! I have seen a few of those that are 10m x 5m and 1,5m deep !
Jul 26th 2018, 11:34 am
#8
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,037
Re: Will this work: putting an above ground pool in a hole...?
I've been struggling with the same question; obviously, it comes down to definition.
If the definition is concrete, well then get a fiberglass pool.
Most pools [even concrete] need to be kept filled with water to hold it from collapse. Fiberglass pools would burst without the ground on the outside, and the water on the inside.
Adobe will have no structural merit at all in the ground; it is ground. It has strength only when dry.
A neighbor of mine has installed a huge 30x8 meter "baragem", or reservoir, all legal and entered onto his cardeneta. It's a "natural" swimming pool, and to my surprise it works quite well. It's basically a hole with a very thick plastic membrane liner. It's heat-joined into a single huge sheet by a specialist company. There are compartments with plants.
In my area, no permission is given for swimming pools, but there is no logic to it. We have lots of water, and lots of unused space here. Just an anti-rich people rule I think.
I would ask a planning permission specialist [architect / lawyer] who works in your council area and is aware of what goes on and how it works there.
If the definition is concrete, well then get a fiberglass pool.
Most pools [even concrete] need to be kept filled with water to hold it from collapse. Fiberglass pools would burst without the ground on the outside, and the water on the inside.
Adobe will have no structural merit at all in the ground; it is ground. It has strength only when dry.
A neighbor of mine has installed a huge 30x8 meter "baragem", or reservoir, all legal and entered onto his cardeneta. It's a "natural" swimming pool, and to my surprise it works quite well. It's basically a hole with a very thick plastic membrane liner. It's heat-joined into a single huge sheet by a specialist company. There are compartments with plants.
In my area, no permission is given for swimming pools, but there is no logic to it. We have lots of water, and lots of unused space here. Just an anti-rich people rule I think.
I would ask a planning permission specialist [architect / lawyer] who works in your council area and is aware of what goes on and how it works there.
Jul 26th 2018, 12:09 pm
#9
Banned
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 26,724
Re: Will this work: putting an above ground pool in a hole...?
I've been struggling with the same question; obviously, it comes down to definition.
If the definition is concrete, well then get a fiberglass pool.
Most pools [even concrete] need to be kept filled with water to hold it from collapse. Fiberglass pools would burst without the ground on the outside, and the water on the inside.
Adobe will have no structural merit at all in the ground; it is ground. It has strength only when dry.
A neighbor of mine has installed a huge 30x8 meter "baragem", or reservoir, all legal and entered onto his cardeneta. It's a "natural" swimming pool, and to my surprise it works quite well. It's basically a hole with a very thick plastic membrane liner. It's heat-joined into a single huge sheet by a specialist company. There are compartments with plants.
In my area, no permission is given for swimming pools, but there is no logic to it. We have lots of water, and lots of unused space here. Just an anti-rich people rule I think.
I would ask a planning permission specialist [architect / lawyer] who works in your council area and is aware of what goes on and how it works there.
If the definition is concrete, well then get a fiberglass pool.
Most pools [even concrete] need to be kept filled with water to hold it from collapse. Fiberglass pools would burst without the ground on the outside, and the water on the inside.
Adobe will have no structural merit at all in the ground; it is ground. It has strength only when dry.
A neighbor of mine has installed a huge 30x8 meter "baragem", or reservoir, all legal and entered onto his cardeneta. It's a "natural" swimming pool, and to my surprise it works quite well. It's basically a hole with a very thick plastic membrane liner. It's heat-joined into a single huge sheet by a specialist company. There are compartments with plants.
In my area, no permission is given for swimming pools, but there is no logic to it. We have lots of water, and lots of unused space here. Just an anti-rich people rule I think.
I would ask a planning permission specialist [architect / lawyer] who works in your council area and is aware of what goes on and how it works there.
All the local pool companies are against draining.
Even turning off the power and ending up with a green pool is cheaper than an expensive retiling or relining .
We were told by the pilot that Lagos camera rented his plane so that they could get one of their staff to take photographs and then compare the number of pools against those which had permission.
Jul 26th 2018, 12:55 pm
#10
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 780
Re: Will this work: putting an above ground pool in a hole...?
When we were looking at properties, we saw a good few with cisterns as pools, so it clearly does work as a pool.
Jul 26th 2018, 5:55 pm
#11
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2016
Location: Alvaiázere, central Portugal
Posts: 591
Re: Will this work: putting an above ground pool in a hole...?
I read somewhere (possibly even on this forum) that someone did build such a cistern. They were forbidden to paint it blue or to add ladders.....
Jul 26th 2018, 10:55 pm
#12
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: Tavira
Posts: 496
Re: Will this work: putting an above ground pool in a hole...?
Slightly off topic (but not way astray), so apologies. Any suggestions for someone who can re-grout a pool in the Tavira area. Not major issues but needs a good scrape out and regrouting. Seems like the cost of water plus disposal of a pool of water will be more than the cost of the work. Am slightly worried about draining it however as not sure where the water table is and don’t want to break its back so professionals, hopefully with insurance.. ..........
