*PICS INCLUDED!* Leveling for my upcoming Intex Pool...

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thefloatqueen

thefloatqueen

Bronze Supporter
Dec 24, 2018
1,292
Columbus, Ohio
Pool Size
7500
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
So I’m still in the market for my first intex AGP and realized how sloped by backyard is. I have a small deck and want to put the pool in front of it and am VERY aware it needs some serious leveling. I included photos of my backyard and the slope. I’m wondering if this can be a DIY job (with a couple other people, of course!) or if I really need to hire someone to level it! Thanks in advance! I love this forum!

PS - I know it’s hard to judge by the photos but it’s just to give a general idea. And yes, I know it’s bad lol. I don’t mind paying someone to help as long as the job doesn’t cost over $1,000.
 

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Well, I would estimate you may have to cut-out anywhere from 1-2 feet off the high side to compensate and get it all closer to level. We've seen worse for sure. Can it be done as a DIY - sure. Of course the more strong backs you have the better, not to mention aspirin, pizza, and everyone's favorite drinks. :cheers: I would think this time of year the ground there is exceptionally hard. Really a personal choice. $$$ versus time & effort. We've all had to make that difficult choice. One thing's for sure, it must be level. Once you fill it with water, you'll know right away since water always finds its own level. So if you do make it a DIY project, take your time and solicit all the extra eyes (and backs) you can get.
 
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I’d call your local power tool rental shop and see how much to rent a skid steer with a bucket. There are smaller ones that you ride on and the more known kind you ride in. It may be fun to play with the toys if that’s your thing.
You will then need to figure out if you want a retaining wall since soft side pools can’t really be backfilled against.
My yard had about 14” slope away from the house. I had a cheap rotary laser level and used it to measure how much soil would need to be removed. You set it up and then use a tape measure to find height from ground up to the laser line.
I was NE of Columbus, dry summertime, and paid someone to dig the hole. Mostly HARD clay. The guy earned his money that day.
 
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I did something like this once. It was for an index pool. I used a 16’ 2x4 and a four foot level to get the grade. I used dirt that was removed to help bring the other side up. One thing I would do different this time would be more sand. Sand will help with the grade and compaction

A few beers and a sharp shovel....
 
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Glad to know I’m not the only one who has/has had this problem lol! I really want a big round pool but I’m wondering if rectangular would be a better choice? I have no idea how I’m going to incorporate my deck into it yet. This is why I’m already planning my pool setup in February lol
 
Congrats @kb109 on soon to be new pool owner! :paddle:

We have a smaller slope & shallow pool (for the time being)... That being said there are many ideas for pool base leveling (level is must) in the forums. We found the idea to create a base from 4x4 (bolted together) and the difference between one side is legs on pavers and legs on solid dirt (about 2-3"), the level on the top of the pool is within 1" from side to side. We will re-level once we upgrade to a taller pool as the kiddos get older.
pool_base.jpg pool_filling.jpg

I found an older post in the forum about using water on the sand base itself to check level, which I think is brilliant (if water is not obtuse in cost for your area), obviously this would be a Mar/Apr project if you went the water level route ;)
 
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Okay, just an fyi.
You can add a deck ladder, I cannot confirm how deep you can bury the intex.

I would proceed as follows. Call your local "Call before you dig company"
1. Lay out the pool area 1-2ft larger per side than pool.
2. Confirm depth you can lower the pool to equal deck height. Add 6" deeper for proper base. if your limited on depth add new deck section for pool entry. (see attached)
3. Dig via small rentable machine or contractor so you have nice flat level base.
4. Run underground power to your equipment.

Install pool, modify deck for ladder and if needed add safety gate. Enjoy your summer floating on that nice new raft!!!


John
 

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you can usually find guys on craigslist in services section that offer day services w their machine they operate for a few hundred bucks. have a guy come in and make sure he brings his laser or transit and have him do his thing. just make sure you have the area marked and call dig safe ahead of time. most ppl who rent machines w no experience end up making a mess and do alot of hand work. a guy who owns a skidsteer or a mini excavator can knock this out in hours w no handwork needed
 
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kb109 said:
I do not have a brand preference as long as it is a quality pool that lasts. I’d love to hear suggestions! :) Thank you so much!
Click to expand...
Have you decided that the 18' is definitely your max size? And as for reviews, a lot of the time, it's how much care the person put into prepping the site and caring for the pool itself.
 
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kb109 said:
18 just seems like a good medium so I chose it but I’m open to bigger. I just noticed the larger Intex pools have really bad reviews on Amazon and Walmart.com lol
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hahaha, the companies do a really good job of selling "low maintenance" pools and people think that means they don't have to do anything with them... (plus a throw away mentality)
Also the extra feet in diameter would increase the size of the area to level, which might be a factor.

kb109 said:
The bad reviews are mostly about rust. I don’t know why certain pools have this issue and others don’t (or fewer instances).
Click to expand...
A lot of the rust can come from people not properly adding off-the-shelf chemicals and pools with chemistry out of balance, making the water (more) corrosive.
 
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***Mods, could you please move this thread to the Above Ground Pools forum, please? I noticed most posts in here pertain to in-ground pools and there’s lots of intex owners in the AGP section whom have been through this and I’d love to hear their thoughts as well. Thank you to all who gave helpful advice here! It is much appreciated! :) Thanks!!***
 
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