First, thanks so much for everyone posting to this forum. So much information here and has really made me confident about this whole process. I'm currently leveling for our Intex 20' round pool. Using the water level method. I have a 22' circle that I'm digging out, leveling with the low spot in our yard. The high side is about +6". My question is should I plan for a small retaining wall? I mean I think I already know the answer, but is this something that is absolutely necessary before putting up the pool, or could I tackle this after the fact? Regarding pool setup I plan to use 2x12 treated lumber for the support instead of pavers and also XPS foam under the liner.
Ground prep for Intex Ultra 20' Round. Retaining wall for 6" difference?
- Thread starter awvickers
- Start date
- Jun 1, 2018
- 14,001
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
I would- it’s easier to do it now than to have the pool become unlevel due to wash out & cause a potentially dangerous situation. Also adding some drainage pipe to the area that diverts the water around & away from the pool in that area as well is a great idea. If you’re planning on leaving the pool up for as long as it can live it will definitely be worth it in the long run. Also if you upgrade to a regular above ground pool later the hard part (prep) will be mostly taken care of.
Thanks for the info. Ok, a drainage pipe makes sense. Assume drainage would go in-between the pool liner and the retaining wall, would NDS EZFlow corrugate work?
- Jun 1, 2018
- 14,001
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Not sure exactly what that brand is but the black kind w/ the holes in it (some have a sleeve over them as well) should serve the purpose
I'm I'm having the same issue. I used these and lined them up vertically. Trying to get out in front of a week's worth of storms we are supposed to be getting this week. Good luck to ya! Let us know how it turns out!
How did this work out for you? Have any pics you can share and how you approached it? We decided to put our pool up due to timing and getting antsy to swim since the weather has been so hot. I plan to post pics tonight to give a better idea of the space I'm dealing with. I really only have about 4" to work with due to using treated 2x8 for the footing supports.
So glad I found this forum. I am having the same issue. I had to dig down about 6 inches for an intex 18ft pool. At first I was going to back fill the entire leveled out area to build it up. (Haha) Now after reading so many posts about correctly installing, I'm NOT going to do that. But I do not want to end up with a puddle surounding my pool.
I know nothing about landscaping. Do drainage rocks do anything if I just put them around the pool? Or will there just be a puddle on top or underneath the rocks?
I was thinking of building a retaining wall as well. So far I've heard using something like 1x 6 x 10 treated lumber and stakes. I get how that will hold back the dirt from the sides, but what about the water?
I'm wondering if maybe if you grade it to the area closest to the retaining wall , would you put a drain there? This is all so complicated for something that seemed so easy. Buy an intex pool! Set it up in 60 minutes.
I'm overwhelmed and out of my league. I just refuse to end up with an unlevel collapsed pool due to my impulsiveness.
I know nothing about landscaping. Do drainage rocks do anything if I just put them around the pool? Or will there just be a puddle on top or underneath the rocks?
I was thinking of building a retaining wall as well. So far I've heard using something like 1x 6 x 10 treated lumber and stakes. I get how that will hold back the dirt from the sides, but what about the water?
I'm wondering if maybe if you grade it to the area closest to the retaining wall , would you put a drain there? This is all so complicated for something that seemed so easy. Buy an intex pool! Set it up in 60 minutes.
I'm overwhelmed and out of my league. I just refuse to end up with an unlevel collapsed pool due to my impulsiveness.
Well, the rocks aren’t going to do anything to eliminate the water. Have you had any rain since you dug out the area, so you can see where water tends to build up?
There are a lot of threads here that have photos showing various drain arrangements. Let me see if I can find one for you.
So, I was trying to find you some photos but haven’t found any good ones yet. At any rate, you want to see where water tends to accumulate, decide where you want it to go, then install a drainage pipe. You can cover the area with landscape rocks once you get the pipe trenched in.
