How to Install an Above Ground Pool
Hello!
I’m Jen, and as many of you know, I am one of the newest workers at Central Iowa Pool this year. I’ve had a great time with this amazing group of people, who have all worked really hard to pass their knowledge to me! Mario has taught me a countless amount about Sundance Spas, Kate has poured a TON of water care knowledge into me, and Eric (as well as others on the maintenance team) have done wonders in teaching me not only how things work, but why we need them. One place where my knowledge was lacking was pool installation, so I talked to Brett Kurth, of Kurth Construction. He does all of our pool installations for us, and he is letting me come out not just to watch and take photos/videos, but also to HELP!
We’re installing a 21′ round above ground pool with an overlap liner. This was day one, and due to a couple of difficulties with equipment (as is bound to happen from time to time on any job), we didn’t get it all done in one day. I’m okay with this–it means I get more time to process the knowledge and help out!
Today we did some very important things. The first thing to do is get the ground level for the pool. This part of the process sounds so easy, it’s deceiving! How difficult can it be to get the ground level and place your stones, right? Looking at the backyard, the owner thought it was pretty level….however, once we broke out the equipment and really checked it, we found out we’d need to come down almost two feet on the side closest to the deck in order to get to level ground. Luckily, the pool we are putting up is one that can be buried up to two feet, so it won’t need any special landscaping. The digging took quite awhile, and produced a big pile of dirt! More than I had expected!
After getting the ground leveled, we brought out the paving stones and laid them in place, using the basic parts of the bottom of the frame to make sure everything was sitting just right. Then, using the lazer level on a tripod, checked each stone to see how much we needed to dig into the ground to get them level with each other.
Then the digging began! Very precise digging. Some needed to go down 1 3/4″, some 2″. Then each one would be measured again, checked for height and level and stability. We also either dug down, or added some dirt, in between each stone to make sure that the frame piece would be supported without any buckling or raising.
When I left for the day, they were finishing up this process. Tomorrow, we’ll place the bottom of the frame, get the sand set, and put up the frame and walls! Look for more updates, and photos!
–Jen Allen
jen@soakandswim.com
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I have a 14′ x 48″ Intex above ground pool. I have it up but we put sand under it to help level it out. When we put the pool up it was level. Now since there is water it is not level anymore. I am by myself so it is difficult for me to do some of the work myself. Do you do that kind of work and what would it cost to have someone come out an level it out. I don’t have room to get any bid equipment into my back yard. I have company coming on Aug 1st from California and really need to get this taken care of as soon as possible. I don’t want anything to happen to the pool since I just got it. Also Lori Welch suggested that I contact you on how to winterize it also.
Hello, Jan!
Thank you for writing. It sounds like you’re in a bit of a difficult spot. You put sand down with the intention of leveling the pool, but most likely the sand moved and settled and allowed the pool to follow the shape of the land underneath it.
Leveling for a pool needs to be done BEFORE the pool is installed or set up. In this case, we would probably need to take the pool down, remove the sand, bring in a Bobcat or something similar, and level the ground before replacing the sand and putting the pool back up. That’s one of the most important and most difficult things about setting up a pool–it’s a bit different with an Intex, though I’m not sure what kind you have or what sort of slope is in your yard.
Since it is an Intex pool, there is really no winterizing to be done–at the end of your season, drain the pool and equipment, pack it up, and put it somewhere safe for the winter!
Feel free to call us for more information!
Jen
515-263-6900