24’ Above ground pool install!!

[TheBigDipper]

Construction is underway on my first above ground pool!! I’ll keep the updates coming as much as I can. I’m so glad to have such a helpful community to share this experience with!

The pool is a 24’ round Saltwater 5000 from the pool factory. Everything went great with shipping and delivery. I’ve got the electrical routed outside (waiting to get the final location) and the ground leveled. Today I was able to finish putting in the patio blocks. Using a water level, I was able to keep all the block within 1.5” of each other. I think that should be more than adequate.

 

[kimkats]

SWEET! It looks like it is nice and smooth!

Now when you say "within 1.5" of each other what do you mean?

 

[TheBigDipper]

The difference between the lowest pave and the tallest paver is 1.5inches. All 16 pavers are within that 1.5” span. Do you think that’s level enough?

 

[kimkats]

I am so sorry to say no That does not give you a lot of wiggle room as a pool can NOT be more than 2" off level. Most successful above ground pool installs have the steppers within 1/2 " of each other.

What did you use to check the level? They sure look good but..............the level beats the eye.

 

[TheBigDipper]

I used a water level (see the picture). I can definitely adjust them to be closer.

 

[kimkats]

Good job on using the water level! That is the best way to do it. I would shoot for no more than 1/2" I am sorry to say. Better safe than sorry. Better to fix now than wait for the pool to be up and have to take it down to it being too unlevel.

 

[TheBigDipper]

Ya for sure. Nothing a little more digging can’t fix. Thanks for the advise.

 

[TheBigDipper]

Phew. After much frustration and cursing... I’m got all the pavers to within 5/8”. I had to chisel that rock down about 1” which was the highest point. Glueing up some plastic shims now to help spread out the load under that upright.

 

[kimkats]

Well done!! Call it done!

 

[TheBigDipper]

After a last minute decision based on the weather... the pool wall is up today. Everything looks nice and level.

 

[TheBigDipper]

Maybe a stupid question.... but how do I get in and out of the pool when I’m doing the liner. I probably don’t want to feet of the ladder sitting on the liner.

 

[kimkats]

VERY good question!!! Cardboard! Get a good sized piece of cardboard so the legs can't slip off it with movement.

 

[TheBigDipper]

Another question, I was planning on filling the n around the pool with a French drain and some #57 rock. Should I put some weed cloth against the pool to help keep the rocks from scratching the finish? What has other people used?

 

[zea3]

You have resin walls? If so you can use weed cloth. Just trim it or tuck it under so it doesn't show after the rocks are placed. Otherwise just carefully place the rocks around the pool.

 

[TheBigDipper]

It’s just coated steel walls. I’ll probably use the weed cloth either way to keep the scratches to a minimum.

 

[kimkats]

You do not want the cloth to touch the walls as it could hold moisture against the wall and cause rust. I hand placed bigger rock so it was this // from from the bottom rail/wall.

 

[TheBigDipper]

Pool is in and almost full! Everything came out great. Finished up the electrical panel and leveled out some equipment blocks. Now just need to get the salt system installed and then I can get the skimmer and return cut in!

 

[TheBigDipper]

Couple of updated pictures. Put in a French drain around the entire pool to keep the erosion to a minimum. Finished plumbing up all the equipment. I was getting a lot of leaks around the threaded connections. I had a friend come check it out (who happens to be a service tech at Hayward). He was able to get enerything to stop leaking. Mostly tightening everything down more than I was comfortable doing alone. Gonna be adding the salt soon and getting the parameters in line.

 

[TheBigDipper]

Do I need to get my chlorine level correct before adding salt to the pool? Not sure if there there’s an order of operations for getting the chemistry correct.

 

[zea3]

No, you can add salt at any time.