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Post by scrub-buster on May 23, 2023 18:44:23 GMT -5
So we decided to get a cheap above ground pool as a test run before spending the money for something nicer. I've never done this before and hoped to get some advice from you guys. I know I need to level the ground. I think I can redneck engineer something to get a level reading. I was planning on putting sand down next and get it level. I've seen where people put down the foam insulation board and then a tarp on top of the sand. Is that necessary? Here is the pool we are looking at and the only halfway level spot on our entire property. It's going there.   |
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Post by whitetaildave24 on May 23, 2023 18:47:09 GMT -5
We have nearly the same pool, but 20 foot and I just put sand down to level and put the pool right on top of it.
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Post by scrub-buster on May 23, 2023 18:48:10 GMT -5
We have nearly the same pool, but 20 foot and I just put sand down to level and put the pool right on top of it. Do you see any reason to do the foam insulation layer? |
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Post by whitetaildave24 on May 23, 2023 19:00:32 GMT -5
I do not. My parents have one that was professionally installed and it was just sand as well. I didn’t even know people were doing the insulation board. Might make the bottom more flat and not have some little bumps in the sand.
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Post by treetop on May 23, 2023 21:48:18 GMT -5
No pro but I believe the foam is a heat trap I’ve helped a few guys none put foam down just sand and got it fairly level
Find center drive a 2 x 2 down to the height you’d like remember you need to pull it back out throw a straight 2 x 4 down standing up how ever long you need so a 16 foot pool needs a 10 footer for a bit extra put a two foot level on top of 2 x 4 put 2x 4 on top of 2 x 2 spin around center point leveling much like pouring concrete
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Post by budd on May 24, 2023 7:15:52 GMT -5
By the time you level the sand, tamp and re-level the sand, tamp and re-level the sand it will be the longest part of the project, then putting the pool up while not screwing up the sand. I put small pavers down at each leg, shot them to grade with laser (over kill). Then 3 years later my son quit using it and I gave it to another family.
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Post by Huntnfreak on May 24, 2023 8:21:44 GMT -5
I’ve had a couple of those type pools. Those legs will sink in the sand if it’s built up too much. You’ll have to use a piece of wood or pavers to prevent the legs from sinking from the weight of the water. Don’t let the liner rest on the wood or pavers around the legs because it’ll become a wear spot. I always used sand to level it and then a tarp over the sand and then the pool on top of the tarp in case there was a tiny rock in the sand somewhere I didn’t see.
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Post by chewbacca on May 24, 2023 8:41:31 GMT -5
By the time you level the sand, tamp and re-level the sand, tamp and re-level the sand it will be the longest part of the project, then putting the pool up while not screwing up the sand. I put small pavers down at each leg, shot them to grade with laser (over kill). Then 3 years later my son quit using it and I gave it to another family. Your story is identical to mine. I did the same exact thing with the pavers. The first year I set my pool up each leg settled a little differently and it looked pretty wonky. So, the following year I installed pavers that were shot to grade and they kept things pretty even. The only thing I would add to that is if you are going to put pavers down I would advise using some fairly large pavers. The legs move quite a bit as you fill the pool and the liner expands and I had quite a few that moved off of the pavers so I had to use a jack to elevate the pool rail and legs and readjust the pavers. Like Budd, after about 3 years of use I gave it to my buddy because we were rarely using it and I was spending lots of money on chemicals and utilities to keep open. One other thing to note, we took ours down at the end of our first year and set it back up the following year (because that was recommended in the owners manual). After that I just kept leaving it up all winter. The winter didn't seem to bother it a bit. If I owned another one I'd never tear it down again. |
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Post by esshup on May 25, 2023 13:19:16 GMT -5
Go to a carpet company, they make felt like material that is used to put under those type of pools. That will help you if a mole decides to make it's tunnel under the pool and it decides to come up to the surface. I had one put a hole in a pool liner once. Now I put down the felt underlayment - it was cheaper than putting down anything else. I wanted more cushion than a tarp. Yes to the pavers, yes to leveling it all off, yes to the legs walk as you fill. With 1" or so water in the pool, pull the bottom so you get all the folds out of it - you will never be able to move it once it's full and double check the legs as it's filling - they tend to move too. Like others have said, make sure the liner doesn't touch the pavers.
When you set it up, make sure the outlets for the filter, etc. are nearest where the electric will be coming from. Get a pool ladder to get in and out of the pool too......
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Post by scrub-buster on May 31, 2023 16:42:24 GMT -5
So after looking at all our options, we decided to buy a used hard side pool. We bought this one today for $500. It needs a new liner which is going to be around $400. This should last a lot longer than the soft sided pools. So now instead of leveling an 18' circle, I get to level a 15'x30' area. I'm going to start taking it down tomorrow afternoon.  |
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Post by whitetaildave24 on May 31, 2023 17:53:10 GMT -5
Pretty good deal. Lots of work, but saved a bunch of money for sure. Funny thing is we went to get our pool out of the barn to put up on Sunday and found a mouse had chewed holes all through it. Monday we went up to family leisure and bought a brand new hard sided pool and they are doing the installation. It’ll be sometime in July, but I’m good with that since I don’t have to do the work.
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Post by saltydog on Jun 6, 2023 5:06:25 GMT -5
So after looking at all our options, we decided to buy a used hard side pool. We bought this one today for $500. It needs a new liner which is going to be around $400. This should last a lot longer than the soft sided pools. So now instead of leveling an 18' circle, I get to level a 15'x30' area. I'm going to start taking it down tomorrow afternoon. Scrub if you did not know when installing the liner we used a wet vac taped to the discharge into the pool. It helps in working the wrinkles out Also a recommendation is to put about a 6 to 8 inch bevel of sand where the wall of the pool meets the ground, this helps with reducing pressure on the liner where it meets to corners |
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Post by scrub-buster on Jun 6, 2023 8:34:37 GMT -5
So after looking at all our options, we decided to buy a used hard side pool. We bought this one today for $500. It needs a new liner which is going to be around $400. This should last a lot longer than the soft sided pools. So now instead of leveling an 18' circle, I get to level a 15'x30' area. I'm going to start taking it down tomorrow afternoon. Scrub if you did not know when installing the liner we used a wet vac taped to the discharge into the pool. It helps in working the wrinkles out Also a recommendation is to put about a 6 to 8 inch bevel of sand where the wall of the pool meets the ground, this helps with reducing pressure on the liner where it meets to corners Thanks for the tips. They make a foam corner cover piece for pools. I think I'm going to use that instead of sand on the edges. |
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