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Allotment Articles1.
Allotment Articles 2.
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Making A Raised
Pool
A raised pool is slightly safer where young children are involved as they can’t run, or fall into it. For added security against children and herons it is a simple matter to build a small fence into the top of the brickwork around the pool. This will also stop cats, as they won't be able to sit on the side and go fishing. With a raised pool it is very easy to stretch a net over the pool and make it secure against herons, whereas with a more informal shape a net often looks untidy.
Perhaps one of the main advantages of choosing a raised pool is that it doesn't generally involve a lot of digging and indeed on some grounds with underlying rock, or pipes etc, this may be the only option. Sometimes a raised pool is chosen because it fits in with a formal garden as a rectangle or circle.
Whatever the reason for choosing a raised pool there are several points to be remembered during construction. The main point is that the walls must be solid enough to stand the water pressure and more importantly the ice pressure when it freezes in the winter. The deeper the raised wall of the pool the thicker the brickwork should be. Also a good strong mortar mix should be used. To get a decent depth on the pool it can be built up about 18 inches or 45 cm and then the middle can be dug out to whatever depth is required. In this case a liner should be used but a raised pool can be made with a pre-formed pool. With this type of installation the surround to the pool must be filled in and packed firmly with soil or sand to take up the shape. This packing will also give some insulation in the winter because it will otherwise freeze from the sides as well as from above. This happens with liner made pools and if this is the chosen method of construction then polystyrene insulation sheets (which are available from builders merchants) should be inserted between the brickwork and the liner. This will also protect the liner from the roughness of the bricks.
The top of the brickwork can be finished off with some flat coping stones that will then enable people to sit on the side. Indeed, making the wall thicker in places and then placing a paving slab over it can make a proper slab seat. This would also enable the construction of a small brick chamber under the seat to be made into which all the electrical connections, switches and UV system can be hidden.
Whatever the reason for choosing a raised pool it should be planned carefully because it needs a lot more thought than a sunken pool.
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