New Intex pool build soon, concrete pad expansion joints and best tarp

[ladman]

Trying to see if our new Intex 18x52 will last longer this year vs the Coleman last year which leaked within weeks and a bad pump a few months later. I plan on putting this pool up within a few days and on the concrete pad (9 years old and solid) there are the usual expansion joints in the concrete. Curious if I should place some sand in those joints to prevent the liner from filling in those areas. Or other remedy? Additionally, I see the Harbor Freight tarps come up, are the silver tarps the recommended tarp for under the pool? I know the silly tarp which comes with the pool will last one month tops.

Thanks,

 

[mikepier]

Trying to see if our new Intex 18x52 will last longer this year vs the Coleman last year which leaked within weeks and a bad pump a few months later. I plan on putting this pool up within a few days and on the concrete pad (9 years old and solid) there are the usual expansion joints in the concrete. Curious if I should place some sand in those joints to prevent the liner from filling in those areas. Or other remedy? Additionally, I see the Harbor Freight tarps come up, are the silver tarps the recommended tarp for under the pool? I know the silly tarp which comes with the pool will last one month tops.

Thanks,

Those tarps will not provide much cushion over concrete. I suggest using insulation foam boards as others have used here, or the interlocking foam boards which I have used, no issues with the expansion joints.

Is your concrete pitched slightly? Just keep that mind. You can be a little off level.

 

[jmc001]

How thick is your concrete pad? I am getting one built for an Intex Ultra Frame pool 18' x 9' x 52". The builder reckons it needs to be 6".

 

[Synergy2]

Those tarps will not provide much cushion over concrete. I suggest using insulation foam boards as others have used here, or the interlocking foam boards which I have used, no issues with the expansion joints.

Is your concrete pitched slightly? Just keep that mind. You can be a little off level.

3/4" foam is what I used and it is great. That will float over your expansion joints without issue. As Mike stated though, check the pitch of the current pad as it should have been when poured.

 

[Taterfink]

Don't forget the 3 strips of Gorilla tape over the seams in the insulation. Without it the seams in the insulation will spread and you'll still have grooves. I learned this from experience.

 

[Piolin]

Mine is 4" and is fine for about a year now.. ?

 

[jaxhusky]

Taterfink, how are your pool's metal parts?. My ultra intex is rusting severely in Jax after only one year with swg. This is the dogs pool primarily so it gets salt water splashed on the components frequently. But it looks terrible compared to our previous ultra intex without salt

 

[Jonas Åhgren]

How thick is your concrete pad? I am getting one built for an Intex Ultra Frame pool 18' x 9' x 52". The builder reckons it needs to be 6".

Mine is
4" of gravel
2" extra hard interlocking styrofoam
4" concrete with wire mesh

 

[Casey]

Definitely check the pitch on the pad. You may not see it but you could be off anywhere from 2"-5" and that's not safe.

 

[Jonas Åhgren]

Taterfink, how are your pool's metal parts?. My ultra intex is rusting severely in Jax after only one year with swg. This is the dogs pool primarily so it gets salt water splashed on the components frequently. But it looks terrible compared to our previous ultra intex without salt

Have you seen my post on not using the metal frame? Will se how it goes in about a month from now. The idea is to hang it directly in my wooden deck.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

 

[Taterfink]

Jaxhusky, here's a link to a thread of mine showing and explaining my rust issues. The 2 legs on either side of the skimmer rusted after 3 years but only really became an issue going into the 4th year. I did have minor rust on one other leg where it fit into the little black shoe.

intex, SWCG and rust