
Does changing the depth of a pool affect its water volume?
Yes, changing a pool depth to make it less deep causes loss of water volume—and that’s a good thing! First, let’s break down what changes in your pool when you make its deepest area shallow. By reducing the depth, you decrease the overall volume of water the pool holds.
What happens when you make your pool deepest area shallow?
First, let’s break down what changes in your pool when you make its deepest area shallow. By reducing the depth, you decrease the overall volume of water the pool holds. Let’s say a freeform pool measures 15 x 30 feet with a depth range of 3 to 8 feet.
How do I Make my Pool deeper or shallower?
The pool company will drain your pool to adjust the depth. To make a pool shallower or deeper, workers will first remove the bottom either with machinery or by hand. Then, they’ll add or remove fill to reach the desired depth. A new bottom will replace the old one and will be made to match perfectly.
How can I reduce the size of my swimming pool?
If you’re wondering how to reduce the size of a swimming pool or make your swimming pool bigger, the process in either direction is actually quite simple. The pool company will drain your pool so they can work on it. Then, they will remove the old inground pool walls and new walls will be built.

How much does it cost to reduce pool depth?
Changing the depth of a fiberglass pool is more or less the same as building a new pool from scratch. Actual costs will vary dramatically depending on pool size etc, but very rough ballpark numbers are $6K for vinyl, and $20K for plaster.
Can you reduce the size of an inground pool?
Yes, making a pool smaller is very common, there may be some limits to what can be done as you should only reduce areas that are capable of withstanding the additional weight placed on the pool structure. Most commonly, older pools may have lots of curved areas and little sections that may be cut off on an angle.
Can an existing pool be modified?
Changing the depth and overall “footprint” or shape of a pool are two of the most common projects. However, swimming pools can be modified or upgraded in many other ways. Sunning ledges are quite popular today, and many owners are having them installed on existing pools.
Is 7 feet deep enough for a pool?
For residential pools, the standard maximum depth of an inground pool is usually 8 feet. But pool builders can build deeper pools. If you plan to install a diving board, 8 feet is the minimum depth you will need in the deep end.
Can you change the size of your pool?
Many swimming pool owners who are unhappy with the shape, depth, or size of their pool have asked if it is possible to reshape or change it. The answer to that question is yes, but there are a few caveats.
Is a 6 foot pool deep enough?
For Cooling-Off and Lounging If this is your idea of a good time, you don't need a super deep pool. Anywhere from 4 to 6 feet should be plenty for you. This depth will allow you to swim, walk, stand, and float. It's even deep enough for you to do some light swimming or swim laps for exercise.
Is it expensive to change the shape of a pool?
Changing the shape of a pool starts at around $30,000 for a vinyl pool and $60,000 for a concrete (gunite) pool. This is an invasive project that requires replacing the entire pool lining.
Can you make a shallow end in an above ground pool?
Luckily, above ground pools can have both shallow and deep ends, just like an in-ground pool.
How deep should I make my pool?
You'll want to minimize the shallow end as much as possible to elongate the swimming area. We recommend a depth of 4-6ft. Another good option for swimming laps is to opt for an L shaped pool, with a shallower area on the shorter side and a depth of between 4-6ft on the longer side.
Can you swim laps at 3 feet water?
36" depth or less of water? Yes, 3 feet is plenty deep for lap swimming.
Is a deeper pool more expensive?
First, all things being equal, deeper pools are more expensive. They require more materials and labor to build, and more chemicals, heat, and water to operate. This is mainly an issue for diving pools, or any other design that includes an extra-deep end.
What is the average depth of an inground pool?
Food for thought:The average swimming pool ranges from 30′ – 40′ in length. With that being said, the average shallow end is around 3-1/2′ deep. To go from a shallow end at 3.5′ to the deep end at 8′, over such a small distance of the length of the pool.
Can I change the shape of my inground pool?
Changing the size or shape of your swimming pool is a bit more involved than changing the depth. But it can still be done. The problem with this renovation is that it usually ends up costing just as much as a new pool.
Can you change the shape of an above ground pool?
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Can you add a tanning ledge to an existing pool?
A tanning shelf or tanning ledge is the perfect feature to add to an existing swimming pool while under renovation. A tanning shelf is an area inside the pool perimeter that sits just about 6-8" below water.
How much does it cost to make a pool deeper?
Typically, you'll spend anywhere from $50 to $125 per square foot. Adding a pool house can raise the cost to $300 or more per square foot. Depth also affects the price, and more materials will be needed depending on the depth of the hole. Deeper pool designs will cost closer to $125 per square foot.
Why is shallower pool better?
Here’s why: Even an NBA player can’t keep his head above water that’s eight feet deep.
Why is it important to have a shallow pool?
Another way a shallower pool lowers expenses is in heating. A smaller volume of water requires less energy to heat it. Since the water temperature will rise more quickly, you may be able to install a new heater with a lower BTU rating. Or, it may allow you to use a unit with the same rating, but to run it for less time.
How long does a pool filter need to run?
So now, the same pump and filter will need to run for only about 4 to 5 hours daily to treat the entire pool. That shorter daily run time matters: Less operating time means lower energy bills.
How deep is a pool?
Typically, play pools are 3 feet deep at the stairs, 5 feet deep in the center, and 3 to 4 feet deep at the other end. Sports pools have the same general depth profile, but they tend to be symmetrical in shape; that way, you can easily divide the pool into equal halves for team water sports. In many cases, a pool remodel specialist can cut ...
How many gallons of water is in a 5 foot pool?
However, if you reduce the depth to a maximum of 5 feet, that same pool will contain about 11,400 gallons of water—only three-quarters as much as before.
How deep is a freeform pool?
By reducing the depth, you decrease the overall volume of water the pool holds. Let’s say a freeform pool measures 15 x 30 feet with a depth range of 3 to 8 feet. That means it has a total area of approximately 380 square feet, ...
How long does it take for a pool pump to run?
For example, the 15,000-gallon pool described above will typically require your single-speed pump to run 6 to 8 hours each day to adequately filter the water.
Pool types
Generally speaking, all pools can be reshaped and reconstructed within certain limits. Vinyl liner pools are usually the most amenable to minor changes. They can be made up to a foot shallower by filling the bottom with concrete and applying a new liner on top.
Making the pool shallower
Shallow pools can be more useful to families with children or homeowners that like to plan summer activities around them. Pools built 15 or more years ago often have a 7-8’ deep end, which has become nonstandard in recent years. Making a deep pool shallower can be relatively straightforward, depending on the depth, slope, and construction.
Making the pool deeper
Making a shallow pool deeper is usually costlier than the other way around. Construction crews need to dig out the pool and provide additional lining in the ground. Some types of pools can be notoriously challenging to dig into when set, and overhauls can cost more than anticipated.
Other considerations
Changing the pool depth will also alter how much water it can hold. This means the overall pool can be lighter or heavier and might need to be reinforced to stabilize it in loose soil. Additionally, the pre-existing pump and piping might not fit the new pool. A complete system overhaul is usually required when adding depth to a pool.
Price
When deciding on a pool reconstruction, the price can be a deal-breaker. A professional pool construction service can provide a quote on pool redesigns based on the pool’s type, current depth, work required, and other factors.
What is the best way to get rid of calcium in a pool?
Calcium loads into your pool and you can’t bring the level down over time. So eventually, your calcium gets so high you start seeing white “scaling” on your tile and it starts gumming up your equipment. The only way to get rid of calcium is to drain and refill.
What temperature should I heat my pool to for chemical control?
Chemical control is a breeze, I do not have to put much effort in here. however, the caveat is; we heat ours to 82 F which is right about the competitive swimming temp. Anything above that you are certain to have chemical swings. Therefore once again; UNDERSTAND fully water chemistry.
How many types of chlorine are there in pools?
Keeping algae and microbes at bay is basically figuring out how to add chlorine to the water in sufficient quantity to kill it. There are three types of Chlorine that are commonly used in pools. Each one of them functions by breaking down into chlorine and a byproduct.
What chemical is used to maintain a pool?
I now maintain my pool effortlessly with three simple “chemicals.” The first is basic, boring, household bleach. Sodium Hypochlorite in chemistry talk. The second is muriatic acid. The third is arm & hammer baking soda. Sodium Bicarbonate in chemistry talk.
How do pool stores make money?
Pool stores make money by selling you chemicals. Why would any rational person think that the store has any incentive to sell you fewer or cheaper chemicals?????
What is the second category of "take a sample to the pool store, buy the chemicals, and do it yourself?
That second category of “take a sample to the pool store, buy the chemicals, and do it yourself” is the truly nuts one.
Why is it bad to make a pool shallower?
Making a pool shallower poses several engineering problems, the biggest being the addition of lots of weight will cause undue stress on the soil surrounding the vessel and the vessel itself.
Is it safe to dive at 5'?
You're right - that could be a huge amount of weight. 4 to 5' is still plenty deep enough for non-swimmers to drown, so I don't think that helps much. Kids love to dive/jump, so I think a deeper end is actually safer (once they know what end is deep)
Can kids swim in 4-5 feet of water?
Kids not getting their hair wet in 4-5 feet of water is not realistic. Kids will simply swim under water.
Can you resurface a pool with concrete?
Sounds like it's definitely do-able. Build up the concrete and move any returns/main drain, then resurface whole pool. I don't think it'd be a cheap modification but you should really contact some pool builders in the area and get quotes.
Why is it important to make a pool shallower?
Making a swimming pool shallower has several benefits, in both comfort and practicality. It can be seen to be safer if the majority of people can keep their head out of the water. It is more enjoyable playing games in the pool if everyone can stand up.
How to reduce the depth of a concrete floor?
The process of reducing the depth is to first ensure the drain is raised up correctly, using proper fittings. Any areas where the new concrete will meet old tiles, these must be stripped back to allow the new concrete to join the old. Once this work is done, concrete can be poured to raise the level. After this sets, we can render the floor to make the appropriate levels.
What is the purpose of skimming a pool with render?
Once all the levels are correct in the base of the pool, the entire structure is skimmed with render to provide a uniform surface for the new tiles. The pool is tiled using adhesives especially for swimming pools.
Does a pool warm up faster if it is shallow?
The pool will warm up faster if it is shallower. Water bills will be less when the pool is filled. Running costs are less, as less volume of water to treat with chemicals. Future maintenance bills should be less with less square meters of tiles.
