18' x 9' newbie install questions

[ninjajim4]

Hi all,

Just getting started with an impulse purchase, Intex 18' x 9 above around pool. I have read everywhere about how vital is it make sure the ground is level and I want to begin that process. I have seen the diagram that shows the overall outer edge footprint, but I'm very frustrated by not being able to find precise measurements for where the feet go, i.e. exactly where I need to bury my paver stones (I intend to leave up year round so I would like use pavers rather than wood). I'm further frustrated by reading some advice to simply setup the frame and map out in that fashion, which completely does not work since the corners don't lock in place, the legs swing freely unless attached to the liner, which I don't want to take out until ready for install, and at any rate, I understand that everything will shift around once it starts filling up.

So my first question is that -- where to put the pavers, or can I not determine that until I have everything staged? I'd like not to do that as I have some foam insulation I want to put under the liner and presumably on top of the ground level sunk pavers. Any guidance on the overall process?

Next question I have is whether these unilock pavers I have are up to snuff. They are 2.75" and much more dense/heavy duty than the average stepping stone paver, and I think they would be ok, but i'd like to know if anyone else has previously used them without issue.

And then finally, I had the idea that I could abut this up to my deck and cut into the railing to make a gate. But based on my very imprecise staging, I see some problem areas. Can anyone advise how much clearance I should have in these spots or if any clearance is needed at all?

Thank you very much!!!

 

[ninjajim4]

This post has exactly what I am looking for, but it's only measurements for a 32'. would be very grateful if anyone has the equivalent diagram for 18'

I need the measurements of where to place pavers for intex 32’ x 16’ x 52” above ground pool.

Hello! Just Spend $2,000 to have the area leveled and compacted. Now, I’m going to place the pavers 16”x16”x2” for the 24 legs. Then getting sand delivered tomorrow to put 2 inches under the pool so that the pool bottom will be level with the pavers. Questions: 1. What is the footprint of the...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[CT-Steven]

My current setup is 2" pea stone over virgin soil, and (2) 16x16x1.5" pavers stacked (I found 16x16x4 too late int he game). Also, I am not the author of this, as it comes from another post by a member here. I just could not find it so attached it here for convenience.

 

[ninjajim4]

My current setup is 2" pea stone over virgin soil, and (2) 16x16x1.5" pavers stacked (I found 16x16x4 too late int he game). Also, I am not the author of this, as it comes from another post by a member here. I just could not find it so attached it here for convenience.

THANK YOU this is exactly what I needed. I have a follow up question here... based on the diagram, i need additional foot in width and length each. 11' is pushing it by itself. I don't know if I have the 12' to spare, most particularly because there is an underground drain hose and I don't trust it bear any weight, and even if I were to dig it up, then the ground would have to be leveled even lower. I suppose what I am asking is, is it sufficient to have this paver end right at 11' or is that a big risk?

 

[CT-Steven]

While I have the room, I mis-measured and am set at 10'10"x19'10"
My original install had the recommended wood footings, and I even tied them into the surrounding pieces of wood. After 3 years one side sank about 3 inches. This year I dug down and used pea stone (I think stone dust would be a better alternative) and (2) 16x16x1.75 pavers stacked. As I noted in other posts I found the 16x16x4 too late in the game. As the pool legs are stationary as long as you spend some extra time leveling and creating a solid platform for the legs to stand on, you should be all set. Here is my setup as you can see my legs are positioned to the edges (not ideal) of the pavers. It at all possible since yours is a new install, I would try to get the legs as close to the center of the footings as possible. How deep is your drain hose and what is it made of?

 

[1Civilengr]

I have the exact same pool (just posted pictures of my deck and pool install today). I had to guestimate the location of the foundation blocks (I used 18" x 18" x 2" blocks from Lowes). The supports are close to the edge of the foundation blocks at one end - should have shifted the blocks 6" out, but realized it too late (water was in the pool). Will have to keep an eye on these to see if they shift over time.
I left several inches between the deck supports and the pool sides, since it moves a bit during use.
I'd be glad to provide measurements or photos of any detailed areas of question you might have.

 

[ninjajim4]

While I have the room, I mis-measured and am set at 10'10"x19'10"
My original install had the recommended wood footings, and I even tied them into the surrounding pieces of wood. After 3 years one side sank about 3 inches. This year I dug down and used pea stone (I think stone dust would be a better alternative) and (2) 16x16x1.75 pavers stacked. As I noted in other posts I found the 16x16x4 too late in the game. As the pool legs are stationary as long as you spend some extra time leveling and creating a solid platform for the legs to stand on, you should be all set. Here is my setup as you can see my legs are positioned to the edges (not ideal) of the pavers. It at all possible since yours is a new install, I would try to get the legs as close to the center of the footings as possible. How deep is your drain hose and what is it made of?

I had a reply, but I don't see it, maybe I never posted. It's good to know that it could be ok with some tight tolerances.

That drain hose is made of hard corrugated plastic, buried maybe 3-4 inches at the most.

 

[ninjajim4]

I have the exact same pool (just posted pictures of my deck and pool install today). I had to guestimate the location of the foundation blocks (I used 18" x 18" x 2" blocks from Lowes). The supports are close to the edge of the foundation blocks at one end - should have shifted the blocks 6" out, but realized it too late (water was in the pool). Will have to keep an eye on these to see if they shift over time.
I left several inches between the deck supports and the pool sides, since it moves a bit during use.
I'd be glad to provide measurements or photos of any detailed areas of question you might have.

Thanks for the offer of measurements. I think I'm good for now. Good to know the top of the frame can shift -- I hadn't considered that and I'm glad to know it. I feel better about its placement now

 

[ninjajim4]

Hi all, so I got the ground hopefully decently level. Set up and filling now. I am troubled that the legs do not appear to be right in the middle of the pavers. I was very diligent about placing the center line of each along the
10'10" x 19'10" rectangle. I'm finding that the legs barely reach due to the fabric tying the legs to the lining. Is the expectation that these legs will move outward as the pool fills? Or do I need to correct this? They are RIGHT on the edge of the pavers and it's making me quite nervous. Thank you for any advice!

 

[ninjajim4]

I have one more question... I filled in about 9 inches of water while i was assembling the ladder. Once that was done, my daughter hopped in and said the floor had wrinkles. Is it too late to fix this up? Do I need to drain it all out? Would the plunger trick I'm reading about do the job at this stage? I stopped filling and waiting to see any responses. Thank you!

 

[CT-Steven]

It will be one of those things you have to see...
Hop in the pool and see if you can kick out the sides a little to remove the crinkles. I have always done it just as the pool is filling.

 

[theblacks2003]

Hi all, so I got the ground hopefully decently level. Set up and filling now. I am troubled that the legs do not appear to be right in the middle of the pavers. I was very diligent about placing the center line of each along the
10'10" x 19'10" rectangle. I'm finding that the legs barely reach due to the fabric tying the legs to the lining. Is the expectation that these legs will move outward as the pool fills? Or do I need to correct this? They are RIGHT on the edge of the pavers and it's making me quite nervous. Thank you for any advice!

Did you end up moving your pavers in towards the pool to get them centered under the legs, if so, how much did you move them?

 

[ninjajim4]

Did you end up moving your pavers in towards the pool to get them centered under the legs, if so, how much did you move them?

I had to drain the pool and start over.

I started off with 16 x 8 x 4 pavers. I thought it'd be ok based on some people anecdotally saying it worked for them but this just isn't good enough to leave enough buffer space for the legs to shift, either by activity in the pool or if any settling occurs -- it only leaves 3 - 4" of space on either side even if it's perfectly planted in the middle initially, which frankly isn't likely. The diagram linked to above doesn't seem exactly right somehow -- it is too wide. Any shift away from center is likely going to cause the stone to lift up, which was my experience, which in turn makes it likelier that the leg is going to slip off altogether.

I bought another dozen of them and doubled up to make 16 x 16 x 4 concrete blocks under each leg, which doubles the buffer space to 7 - 8" on either side Also, I had something of a difficult setup because I had to place them on top of disturbed earth due to removal of an inground drain pipe, which is less than ideal. The guys used compacted gravel, but it still settled. I ended up digging down to undisturbed earth and putting down pea gravel up to grade. A month later, it's extremely level -- within .25".

It sucked and it was annoying but what really sealed it for me was a veteran poster talking about the issue from a "TFP perspective". TFP is a philosophy, i.e. do it right and then you don't have to worry! Hope this helps and good luck to you.

I have one more question... I filled in about 9 inches of water while i was assembling the ladder. Once that was done, my daughter hopped in and said the floor had wrinkles. Is it too late to fix this up? Do I need to drain it all out? Would the plunger trick I'm reading about do the job at this stage? I stopped filling and waiting to see any responses. Thank you

Just in case anyone ever revisits this, for me the wrinkles just went away on their own after filling. There were quite a few, they were BIG and they were in the middle. By the time the pool filled, they were gone. All the same for me since I ended up having to drain the whole dang thing again anyway, but as I refilled for the second time, I didn't worry about any smaller wrinkles and again I have a wrinkle-free bottom at present.