How to Hide Pool Equipment

Looking at your ugly pool pump and plumbing pipes while trying to relax in your pool? If so, then this project is for you. This project is very similar to the how to hide an AC unit that we did several years ago. Our friends had pool equipment next to their house that was visible and very ugly.

We built a half wall enclosure with gates at both ends to make access to the equipment easier. The last thing you want to do is make it harder to repair or replace any of your pool equipment so be careful when you’re planning it out.

What You Will Need

We built this half wall out of 1×4 cypress. The dimensions are 10 feet long by 3 feet wide and we used 10 foot long boards. All materials listed below

• 1x4x10 cypress
• 2x4x8 pressure treated lumber
• 4x4x8 pressure treated posts
• Gravel
• Tan deck screws
• 2 sets of gate hardware with self closing hinges

Tools

• Miter Saw
• Drill
• Post Hole Digger
• Shovel
• Level
• Clamps

Digging Post Holes

This project is like a small half horizontal fence. Once you have the layout confirmed, you’re ready to start digging the holes for the posts. Since this is around pool equipment, you will need to be very careful where you’re digging. Make sure all plumbing and electrical lines are marked before digging

I like my posts secure, so I dug close to 2 feet down. Tamp the bottom so it’s packed then pour 3-4 inches of gravel on top. This will help moisture to drain away from the bottom of the post. I’m not using concrete in these holes so we will pack the gravel around the post once it’s placed inside the hole.

The key to keeping fence posts heights the same is by cutting them to the correct height after installation. It’s almost impossible to be able to dig the correct amount for the post to be the correct height. So install your post taller than you need knowing you will cut it afterwards.

With your post in the hole, use your post level to make sure it’s level on all sides. With another person holding the post level, pour the gravel around the post. It’s best if you pour some gravel, then tamp it down secure several times as you go.

How to Cut Post Height

We needed 5 posts. Three in the front since it was a 10 foot span and two near the house. You can cut the posts now before slat installation. Measure the top distance you want the final fence height on one of the posts, then use a level to get all the other post heights marked.

Using a speed square, mark draw a line on both sides of the post. Use a circular saw to cut along these lines. You will need to make two cuts with a circular saw. You can also make the cut with a reciprocating saw, but you will need to make sure the blade is kept level with the line.

Calculate Fence Gap

With all the posts installed, you’re ready to install the 1×4 horizontal slats. If you don’t want to rip the top or bottom board, you’ll need to do some calculations to see what your gap will be. I believe our height was 48 inches to the lowest point we wanted our last board. 48 divided by 3.5 is 13.71.

So you’ll use 13 boards. Now we’re going to determine what the gap will be between those 13 boards. 13×3.5 = 45.5. 48 – 45.5 is 2.5 inches which is the total gap. Now we need to divide 2.5 by 12, which is how many gaps we will have. That leaves us with .20, which is less than a 1/4 inch gap and bigger than 3/16.

Install Front Cypress Boards

Now that we know what our gap measurement is, we’re ready to install our top board. If you have a helper there’s no need for a clamp since they can hold the other side of the long horizontal board.

If you’re stuck doing it yourself, you’ll need to clamp one side of the board then install the other side. Check level, before screwing the second side.

You can use a shim marked in between those two measurements and place 2-3 between the second board and the top board. Clamp or hold and install as you did the top board. You’ll repeat this process for the remaining boards.

Build Both Gates

With the front side installed, you’re now ready to build the two gates. Since these are small gates, there’s no need to build a hefty gate frame. A simple square frame made out of 2×4 material will suffice. The Gates will need to be 1 inch less than the distance between the two posts, leaving a 1/2 inch on each side.

Install the horizontal slats similar to the front fence and your gate is complete.

Hang Gates on Posts

You’re ready to attach the gates to the posts next to the house. I attach the hinges to the gate first. Generally an inch or two from top and bottom making sure they are parallel to the frame.

The easiest way to keep the gate in it’s correct placement is to use a 2×4 underneath and several shims on each side to hold it steady. One you have checked level and spacing on both sides, you’re ready to screw the hinges on to the post.

One the gate is hung, you can now measure the correct placement to install the latching mechanism. I only install 1 screw on each side of the latch to verify it is working properly before installing the rest of the screws.

Conclusion

This is a great weekend project that will turn an eyesore into a focal point of your backyard. An added bonus is that if you can complete this small project, then you might be able to save yourself some money by building your own horizontal fence.