Tips for Building any Type Swimming Pool in Kenya (A Comprehensive Guide)

Swimming pools, once considered a luxury, are increasingly becoming a popular amenity in residential projects across Kenya, especially given the hot climate. Beyond leisure and sports, they also serve as excellent venues for working out. Understanding the various aspects of swimming pool construction, types, maintenance, and costs is crucial for anyone considering this addition to their property. In this comprehensive guide, we shall be discussing tips for building any type swimming pool in Kenya.

Tips for Building any Type Swimming Pool in Kenya

Siting Your Swimming Pool: Key Considerations

When choosing the location for a swimming pool, several factors come into play to ensure both functionality and enjoyment.

• Safety: It is paramount to locate the pool in an area where activities can be easily monitored, particularly if children are present, allowing for quick intervention in emergencies.
• Sunlight: The chosen area should receive ample sunlight, as light is an important element for swimmers.
• Privacy: Privacy is a significant concern. Homeowners should consider their neighbours’ vantage points and may need to erect a larger boundary wall on one side to ensure seclusion while using the pool.

Types of Swimming Pools

The primary distinction between pool types lies in the materials used for their construction.

• Concrete Pools: As the name suggests, these are built using concrete. Concrete pools can further be categorised into:
  • Deck Level Pools: Characterised by the water level being flush with the deck, these pools typically have a channel around them where displaced water flows into a balancing tank.
  • Infinity Pools: These create a visual illusion of a pool without an edge, with water overflowing on one, two, or even three sides.
• Vinyl Pools: These pools feature a vinyl material cover, often referred to as a “liner pool” because the vinyl lines the pool itself.
• Fibreglass Pools: Constructed from fibreglass.
• Gunite Pools: These are made from a mixture of cement and sand.

Natural Pools:
A unique and less common type in Kenya is the natural pool, which does not use any chemicals like chlorine for water treatment. Instead, it employs a natural circulation system with a pump and filter to remove debris, a UV steriliser to suppress algae growth, and a pond where plants naturally remove algae from the water. The water recirculates between the pond and the pool, offering an experience akin to swimming in a river, sometimes even with frogs present.

Debunking Common Misconceptions

Two prevalent misconceptions about swimming pools are their perceived high water consumption and the need for a very large space.

• Water Consumption: Once a pool is initially filled, it does not require all the water to be removed and refilled frequently. A circulation system continuously cleans the water, with only water lost through evaporation or splashing needing to be topped up.
• Space Requirements: Pools do not necessarily require large plots. With proper planning, even a 50 by 100-foot plot can accommodate a functional swimming pool, depending on its purpose.

The Engineering Behind Swimming Pools

From an engineering perspective, a swimming pool is essentially a water-retaining structure.

• Construction: When built on land, an excavation is made, and the pool is constructed within it. If located within a building, it might be suspended on a floor.
• Waterproofing: Crucially, the structure must be waterproof. This is achieved by adding admixtures—chemicals that alter concrete properties—to the concrete mix before pouring, preventing leaks. This applies to both pools built on land and those within buildings.
• Design Standards: Reinforced concrete swimming pool structures are designed to comply with Eurocode 2, Part 3, which specifically deals with water-retaining structures.
• Soil Conditions: While one doesn’t choose the soil, engineers respond appropriately to the site’s existing soil. Black cotton soil is problematic and typically needs to be entirely removed due to its impacts on the structure, whereas red soil is generally easier to work with.
• Building Codes and Safety: A building code guides the built environment in Kenya, with the latest under review, that stipulates guidelines for swimming pools. For instance, public pools require safety measures like fencing and lockable entrances to prevent accidental drowning.

Cost and Maintenance

The cost of building a swimming pool varies based on factors like desired additives, lighting, and safety measures. For a 6-meter by 8-meter swimming pool, a reasonable cost estimate is between KSh 1.5 million and KSh 2 million. Complex designs, such as pools shaped like maps, hearts, or kidneys, would naturally incur higher costs than standard rectangular or square pools.

Maintenance is key to ensuring a pool remains usable. This involves managing the pumping and heating systems.

• Equipment: Basic equipment includes filters, pumps, and pipework (inlets and outlets). Filters can last almost the lifetime of the pool but require servicing every two to three years. Pumps, having moving parts, will also need service or eventual replacement.
• New Technologies: Modern trends include heat pumps (an energy-efficient alternative to solar heating), variable speed pumps (reducing power usage when the pool is not in high demand), and solar pumps (using solar power instead of grid electricity). Lighting has also evolved, with smart lighting, LED lighting, and colour-changing lighting enhancing pool ambience.
• Maintenance Costs:
  • Domestic Pools (e.g., 4m x 12m): Maintenance is relatively cheap, primarily involving chemicals (KSh 5,000-7,000). Including power bills and labour, the maximum monthly cost is estimated at about KSh 15,000.
  • Commercial Pools: Due to their larger size (e.g., 300,000 litres), maintenance can cost around KSh 40,000 per month.

Addressing Leaks and Expert Advice

If a concrete swimming pool develops a leak from a previous build, repair mechanisms exist. One method is guniting, which involves using concrete under pressure to seal the leak.

Tips for Building any Type Swimming Pool in Kenya- Conclusion

For anyone considering putting up a swimming pool, whether for residential or commercial use, experts strongly advise engaging qualified professionals. Many problems arise when non-experts are involved in the construction process. While pools are an aesthetic and valuable addition to property, it is crucial to think about their design to prevent leaks, consider maintenance, and ensure they remain in good shape for usability. The affordability of swimming pools has increased, making them a viable option to enhance property value. It is also recommended to use quality chemicals for maintenance.

Need experts to build your pool? Get in touch with us today

At Egret Swimming Pools, we are experts in building world-class pools at very affordable prices. We have built some of the best pools in some high-end hotels in Kenya. If you need experts to handle your pool construction project at competitive prices while not compromising on the quality, you can trust us to do the job. Get in touch with us today to book a site visit so we can give an accurate quotation.

Use any of the means below to get in touch with us:

• Phone call: You can call us at +254726545148 and speak to one of our friendly representatives.
• WhatsApp: You can send us a WhatsApp message at +254726545148 and we will reply as soon as possible.
• Email: You can email us at
•  info@egretswimmingpools.co.ke | egreteswimmingpools@gmail.com and we will get back to you within 24 hours.
• Comment form: You can leave a comment in the comment form below this post and we will respond to you shortly.
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• Visit us: We are located at Kihunguro behind shell petrol station Kihunguro Thika road. See Google map location.

We pride ourselves in being the pool construction experts in Kenya.