FIRST Swim in DIY Swim Pond!

You're looking at a natural swim pond. Basically like a pool with zero chemicals. And this week might be the most satisfying one yet. Pool house is loading. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> Welcome back to the concrete pad. Today we have our little friend, the compactor. Again, it's actually called a tamper. Let's go. >> If you're new here, welcome. We've been building this natural swim pond this whole summer and it's been a wild process. We started by marking it out and excavating the whole area, then built out the subbase layer. From there, we installed a 2,500 square ft liner and constructed the wetlands with aqua blocks, pit vipers, and vaults, and placed massive boulders one by one with a 12ton excavator to hide it all. We installed the skimmers into the liner and used river rock, rip wrap, and boulders along the edges to make the whole thing blend into the natural landscape. Make sure you subscribe because you don't want to miss this swim pond transformation. Three, two, one person. Oh yeah, we're strong. So, if you haven't figured out, this will be a concrete pad for our pool shed where all the plumbing's going. Now we have more gravel. This is looking so good. And this is so important because concrete pads move and they shift and they need a really good base. They need to be able to do what they need to do. Hell yeah. We have a load of compacting soil coming. But in the meantime, all the top soil we dug up, which we didn't want it to be in our base, we're just going to respinkle around the area so it looks really good. And I hope he comes soon. Then I can stake this pad to the ground, tie the rebar, and we can go for concrete. Perfect. It's looking almost ready for concrete. I love how this earth is going down. We have a lot more dirt which we're going to fill in over here probably later. Thank you to ZDOC for sponsoring this week's video. Calling to schedule a doctor's appointment is the absolute worst. 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If you've been putting off making an appointment, too, don't wait any longer. Taking care of your health just got easier. Click the link in our description or go to zdock.com/banwives and check that appointment off your to-do list today. Stakes are in the ground. And something I learned from last time is to sink them more than your form because you start screing the pad. Well, then you start hitting your things and you don't have a nice looking pad. So, we set them all a little bit low. That way you don't hit them when you're going over top like that. And what are you doing with your screws, Kristoff? >> Not sinking them >> cuz then they're hard to get out. Anyone recommend a rebar cutter? >> It's time for the tool of the week. >> Loop tie twister for rebar. >> New rebar tie tool. I've never used it before. I don't really get it. I wish I brought mine home from Mexico. >> I didn't even really know what to buy to tie, so I bought both. I would also like all of you to let me know which rebar tie tool I should buy that's automatic. You know, leave it in the comments, please. I'm finally ready to buy one. What the heck are these? Do they come pre-twisted? This is luxurious. You probably just do this loop. loop. >> Should we factor >> and twist, >> right? >> And then you just spin it. >> Wait, what? No. >> Yeah, >> cuz this turns. >> Yeah, you have to spin it. >> Oh. Oh my gosh. I feel like I'm new. >> This can't be right. Oh, I think I got it. Yeah. >> How? >> You just like hold it a specific way like towards you. You pull towards you and spin. >> Oh, yeah. Bend in half. loop through. Now remember, I'm grade one level right now. Put in hole and spin. Oh, towards you. >> I am. Oh, >> no. Spin. Your hands for sure uh stay less uh bleeding with these guys. Your hands stay less bleeding. You know what we're going to need for tomorrow if we're pouring concrete? >> CocaCola. >> Couple liters of Coca-Cola. >> Did we pass, Izzy? >> Yeah, we passed. I think you just want to go swimming. Hey, >> I think our concrete tools are in here. Bingo. All right, we found everything but the bowl float handle, but we'll find that. And I think we're ready for concrete now. And I think the concrete people are going to come tomorrow. They're going to give us a go back. Super exciting. Heat. So, we have to finish edging the exterior and the interior of our swimming pond. It's actually a really big job. Tiffany, the swim pond expert that was helping us the last few weeks. This takes her a full day and she does it. She has an eye, too, and has been doing it for 5 years. So, I'm not really sure how long it's been taking us so far. Probably like half a day and we're on the other half of the swim pond. So, we went skimmer to skimmer and now we're going to go skimmer to skimmer. Step one, cut the geoteexile fabric to the very top of the pool edge. This we do not need. >> And tip number one, change your knife every 5 seconds. >> Mhm. >> I got the blades in the Xavator. >> Mhm. >> Joking about step one. Step one is actually make sure the top of the pond is set to the burm height here. And a tip Tiffany gave us is just never move this. Leave this set up for the entire pond built, which is around 6 to 14 weeks for them. I don't know what week we're at. That's perfect. We're good from skimmer to here. Then you dig a trench being very careful of the liner. Now you cut the liner. Fold the liner back and pat it down. >> Yeah. Basically building up the front and the back of the liner. >> But we're just focusing on the back right now. Yeah. You have to do the front after. As you can see, you can see the liner right there. That's fine. This is the other skimmer and that's how far away we are from it. Don't forget to tap. We're good for the plumbing. I just want to make sure before I was thinking about digging the trenches before you guys get here because then you don't have to watch me dig a trench type of thing. I'm sure there's many things, you know what I mean? But also just to know how much flex pipe we have. So, I just wanted to just clarify 100%. I'm going to have four flex pipes running from one skimmer, two skimmer, and then the other two flex pipes are going to be running from the wetlands. The 4-in pipes that are going to be on reducers. >> Yeah, they're poly tip will probably be bringing up more flex pipes. You might not have enough there to do all of that. >> Cool. We'll get that going. Thank you. I don't know if we told you all, but I'm sure you can already figure it out. The concrete is not coming today. So, well, there's a lot more to do than do a concrete pad, but we're ready for that when the concrete truck does come on Monday, and today is Friday. So right now we are going to start digging our trenches from our two skimmers and our wetlands. So they all need to go from this pond all the way to the concrete pad. So we're going to start digging the trenches. And we're not going to dig them all the way to the pad yet just because well I don't think we have enough flex pipe. So, we're going to dig them to a meeting point, which is going to be right here. Even though the swim pond doesn't get drained in the winter, the filters, the lines, and the pumps will all get winterized. So, the trench does not need to be below the frost level. However, the trench has to be as close to the pond edge as possible because you just don't want machines driving over this flex pipe. It doesn't have the strength and capacity like schedule 40. So, Crystal's doing a very good job staying at the pond edge. And I think we're about to lay this Oh, we have duct tape. >> We got to tape the line. We got to tape the Oh, I wish you caught your face. It was >> Sounds like a club at 3:00 a.m. Cool. CCC >> club shut down, eh? And then in here. >> Right here. >> Yeah. >> Good. Now you going to need that mallet. Quick time. Oh, never mind. It goes nice with the >> I love the smell of it. >> Yeah, it's pretty good. >> Eh, a little priming action in here. >> Can you do it better? >> Mhm. In here. >> There you go. There's no point of Okay, we did it. Did I spell that right? S K I M M E R. I think so. >> I hope so. >> Oh well. Morning. Concrete trucks here. Concrete is in the pad. >> It was like 5 minutes. >> It's like what? 8:05 a.m. Here we go. Now for the fun part, which probably would have been the hard part, but now I think we're a little more prepared here. No, don't wash your body. All right. And now we're on to the hand bull floats, I think they're called. What are they called? >> Magnesium bull float. >> Magnesium float. What does that mean? I don't know. So, you see how smooth it looks here? And then it's more rough in the middle. You see that? The difference. That's what that tool does. And then in the middle, we'll use the big one cuz you obviously can't reach. I miss being covered in concrete. Now for the final step. Wow, look at it. Oh my goodness. Look how nice this is. I'm so proud. Like, you don't even know how proud I am. Like, I'm so proud. It's 10:00 in the morning, y'all. We're gonna cut this Sona tube into one foot length. >> We're on the next task. >> And we have concrete. >> That's crazy. It's 10 o'clock in the morning. Celebrate a little. Like, what the heck? We already have a whole pie done. As you all know, our swim pond has a deck dock. I don't know what to call it. >> It's kind of like a dock and a deck. So, we're cutting this Sono tube into 1 ft lengths. And we're going to have we're going to make two anchors essentially that are going to sit in the pond to anchor the deck dock into the water. Perfect. There's one. And that's going to be the base of it. Actually, throughout the day, we'll just keep watering the pad, especially if the sun decides to come out because we don't want the top of the pad drying out before the bottom of the pad. So, you actually have to keep doing this. I think I read over days. I'm not going to lie. I probably won't be able to do that, but cuz I'll simply forget, but I'll keep a close eye on it for at least one or two days. You've been probably wondering if we're going to keep this water in here. >> Of course we are. We're going to swim in it. We're going to drink it and we're going to love it. What are we doing with it? We have a green pond. Well, it's all rain water that's falling from the sky. So, instead of just pumping it out of here, we are going to use the trash pump and the rain water to clean the pond because there are so many bits of debris and leaves and dirt and everything that needs to be washed through all this stone >> into the deep end. And then we will pump all of that out after we clean everything up. Because if we go to fill this up, all of that debris is going to come loose and the pool is going to be murky and dirty. >> No. And it's going to go in our pumps and then break all of our pumps and our filters. >> Yes. It would never be good. >> Very expensive. We don't have a skeleton bucket. So when we picked up a lot of the rock, you know, by the end of the pile, you were grabbing rock and dirt. >> So although it's rained, it's still covered in dirt. Like only the top would be cleaned from the rainwater, but the sides and in between and all the cracks is covered in dirt and sand. And that is all the way around the pool. We've actually had a ton of rain. So much. But still, look at this. Dirt everywhere. And from what I've heard from Tiffany, our dear friend at Quiet Nature, is that if we want this pool to be really clean, we're probably going to have to do this clean two or three times. We can suspect that we're going to get drenched because the power out of this trash pump is pretty intense. Little throwback to that one time that we did use a trash pump at our cabin with Porter. Are you ready? >> Yes. Look how DIRTY THE WATER IS. FILTHY. Crystal just told me that a mouse came running out and it looked like her soaking wet. There's also a frog in here or a toad. I'm not really sure. Look at that. And this is one thing I'm so excited about for the swim pond is it just creates such a natural ecosystem, like a real life ecosystem right here. And a lot of people have asked like, "Oh, what about the mosquitoes?" yada yada yada yada. Well, not only is this going to bring yes, mosquitoes, but there's also frogs. And what do frogs eat? Mosquitoes. So, it's just like a pond, except there are a lot of filters to make it safe for us humans and dogs. Anyways, I'm so excited. I love it. Like, just imagine sitting here on the deck dock and hearing the frogs ribbit. It's a vibe. We're building you a home, buddy. How's it going? >> First clean is done. I do think it'd be good to get this out, though. >> What? >> This >> We have to get this water out and then we need to refill it with clear water. And she said, "Keep doing it until your deep end is filled with clear water." So, we have a lot of washing to do. >> Yeah. every time you use a trash pump. Okay. All right. Time to SAY BYE-BYE UNDER THE WATER. We can no longer use the trash pub because the water isn't deep enough. So, we're using the sump pump to get the last of the water. But now, we're going to attempt to shop back all of this dirt and water out of the bottom of our pond. Please wish us luck. I'm hoping it's going to be quick. Okay, so this job sucks. Won't even make it seem like it's fun. Oh, we have >> we have another hose that's going to help. So, we're going to dilute the dirt as much as we possibly can because well, this is a lot of dirt. >> Yeah. I was going to say this this mud is like >> almost like quick sand. >> Yeah. We need a bucket. We have another walk around. >> Imagine we didn't do this step and all of this went into the filters and the pumps. Bad, bad, bad, bad. No, no, no, no. This is going to take us all week. >> Hilarious. See if I can find another mud. >> You're okay. There now. Bang it. Other way. Oh, that's good. >> You just need like a little bit of water, eh? >> Right where my hand is. Crystal, you want to try pushing? >> Be a dozer. Wow. >> Oh, here comes puppy. Stay. You're really cute. >> You can actually see the colors of the rock now. Like the blues and the pinks. Everything in here just looks so nice. Wow, look at this one. Has like beige in it. The pink one right here. These are gorgeous rocks. Holy. Every crack in the stairs was filled with dirt. Now look at it. So clean. So nice. Wow. It's coming. It's getting there. We almost have all of the clay/mud out of the deep end here. It's crazy the transformation that's happened. There was piles of dirt in here. >> It's so heavy and like suction cups. Kind of crazy. >> Day one of cleaning our swim pond is complete. We'll see you all for day two tomorrow. Hopefully we do more than clean, but wishful thinking. >> Morning. Morning. >> Still cleaning my pond. >> Just got new clothes on. >> It looks Well, half new shorts, same smelly top. >> M can smell you from here. I bet you all can too. >> It's looking good. >> Yeah. Everyone look it like all the mud is gone. >> It's Yeah. You probably can't tell, but like this entire area was covered with this much mud yesterday. Let's not forget >> like 8 in. >> And it's not just any kind of mud. It's clay. >> You tell them again for the 10th time. What kind of m >> Can you hear me? It's clay. So anyway, here I am sweeping my pond. It's honestly so satisfying because almost all the water's out and there's just a little bit left here. And the most exciting thing ever is we have more clean water coming to do it all again. >> Woohoo. >> WOOHOO. HELLO. How you doing? Boom. Look at this truck. 17,000 L of water is in this truck and it's about to go in our swim pond. Here it comes. Yes. That's some nice looking water. Our family's over right now. If you're wondering, everyone's here and I told them they're here on the wrong day. They're here on the cleaning day, not the swimming day. But then it got us all thinking that we're going to have to have a big party for when the pool gets filled and we can all go swimming and we'll bring a picnic. >> Look at that. It's giving me a taste of what's to come. >> Ready? >> You're going together. >> IT'S SO NICE. >> It's really nice. Look how deep you are over here. If the water were cold, >> it's not cold. >> It's freezing. >> It's freezing, but it's nice. That was everything. That's going to be That is a taste of what's to come, everyone. That felt good. Motivated me to get this pool clean so we can fill it up. The pad is ready for the pool house. >> Oh my god, are these Just about in place. >> Easy peasy. >> Well, it's in place. Looks so good. >> It looks so good. >> I'm very happy with this. So this is like the pump and everything and all the filters are going to go outside and then in here is going to be you know like ring toss floaties >> outdoor furniture. >> Outdoor furniture. You know, you name it. What's whatever is part of the swim pond is going to go in here when winter time comes. >> It's so nice and spacious >> or just anytime. >> Yeah, it's good size. >> Show them the back of the pad. >> Oh yeah. >> The type of space we're talking about here. >> Let me show you. I'll bring a filter over. Oh my gosh. So much space for the plumbing. So much space. I love plumbing when there's space to plum. So, this is a filter and then it's going to go space pump. That way, if we ever do want to add another filter, if we want the water even more clear, we have all the space to do it. I mean, we could even put it up top. >> And all of this space is going to make it easy to maintenance, to winterize, and to take care of it. Because if it's in a small little area, that's never fun. >> Yeah. Yeah. And then of course eventually building a lean too to cover this area up. >> Yeah. And then uh the house is that way so you'll never see any of this unless you're over here. But we can also build like stuff around it too. >> Looks amazing. >> I'm very happy with this.