Considering Intex 32'x16' XTR inside a concrete shell

[anuck]

Hi. Maybe unorthodox but for sure budget friendly - I have a concrete shell of a pool but it's a headache to finish both financially and professionally - the concrete pool wasn't properly designed, there were some modifications already done to it and more are needed to complete it and certain modifications are not longer feasible and I'm worried in the end the pool won't good look anyways, and will be always a headache. Just last night we had an earthquake for instance, the people that did plaster, installed lights did already pool job. Infinity edge was an afterthought.

The shell is big enough to fit Intex XTR 32' L x 16' W x 52" pool - price is great.
My pool is 31-10 L x 19-2 W.
Infinity edge is at 48" but I'd build it up with wood, other edge is around 52" and most of the edge is 57" high.

The frame of Intex is 31ft 1in long - I have 31ft 10in available between walls.
I could install wooden beams to support the frame between the concrete walls.
Only one wall (from the concrete pool stairs side) would require the original Intex supports (or wooden).

I was thinking of adding two skimmers, waterfall, heat pump, even a passive swim system (Emaux if anyone heard of it) - everything would be still cheaper than finishing the concrete pool.

Adding everything except the swim system is pretty straightforward and wouldn't require much modification.
For the swim system I'd have to jackhammer through the shell wall but it's doable.
I'd connect skimmers to another pump and run a waterfall with it.
The pumps would be under a wooden deck.
Maybe we'd cast narrow planters inside the concrete shell depending of the reminding space.
Not sure yet where to place a heat pump.
That little building near the pool is a storage - was to be the pump room for the ground pool (having more space there with Intex is a plus too).
The placement of skimmers is where the prevailing wind direction would push any debris.
Original pump's placement would use the available space and make it easy to service.

Thoughts, suggestions?

 

[Newdude]

Option 3 : measure and have a liner made for the existing shell/stairs.

You'd still need some modifications but probably less.

 

[anuck]

Option 3 : measure and have a liner made for the existing shell/stairs.

You'd still need some modifications but probably less.

Thanks. Haven't considered it. Considering the contractor didn't know what a level or square is I doubt I'd be able to achieve satisfactory effect. Buying Intex pool is much simpler. Can just slap it without any modifications if they turn out too complex.

 

[Mdragger88]

Option 3 : measure and have a liner made for the existing shell/stairs.

You'd still need some modifications but probably less.

This

 

[Mdragger88]

One thing to consider is that when filling one of these pools it moves - the legs move, possibly where you didn’t intend. You need to have enough space around the legs for this to occur & be able to adjust them as you fill. If you’re cutting it close on the dimensions it may cause a problem.
You also need drainage for this hole or the legs will rust out pretty quick.
Did you pay for the shell that’s there already? It seems like a huge waste to not just finish it out. Most certainly with a different contractor.
After the intex dies you will still have an unfinished pool in your backyard at the end of the day.
Perhaps if you elaborate more on the problems with the pool some solutions could be found.

 

[anuck]

One thing to consider is that when filling one of these pools it moves - the legs move, possibly where you didn’t intend. You need to have enough space around the legs for this to occur & be able to adjust them as you fill. If you’re cutting it close on the dimensions it may cause a problem.
You also need drainage for this hole or the legs will rust out pretty quick.
Did you pay for the shell that’s there already? It seems like a huge waste to not just finish it out. Most certainly with a different contractor.
After the intex dies you will still have an unfinished pool in your backyard at the end of the day.
Perhaps if you elaborate more on the problems with the pool some solutions could be found.

Thanks. It's mostly budget and quality issues (which is also budget issues). The original pool was never properly designed, the builders here (any builder) don't know what a square corner or a level is. There is no single contractor who does good job. When comparing the cost difference and the risks I decided to go with this weird solution. To finish this pool I estimate I would need at least $35-55k, whereas the cheap solution would be $7-10k - I'll have still budget for a passive swim system and a heat pump (even my solar system would fit in the budget and I'd have a huge hot tub with that haha), and a couple of the liner replacement. That was the main reasoning. The diamondbrite and tiling is already $25k based on 2 quotes. Major companies here are busy with hotels - I've been waiting for a quote for weeks and they wanted to add 1000gal balancing tank (which is okay per se - I would have it built inside the pool space and have like a sitting area etc) but it'll just add to the costs. Then other guys say my current catch basin is okay. Having just finished building a house I don't trust any contractor and never will. I don't believe I'll get a trouble free pool - also because what I wrote at the beginning - it wasn't properly designed and built. The risk of this being a major expense without satisfactory result is just too big for now, maybe in a couple of years with proper preparations and budget we'll finish it properly. Also not being able to finish the pool for a couple of months holds me off with finishing other parts of the surrounding areas. I see only pros with the vinyl solution, except maybe the "wow" effect, which I don't believe we would achieve anyway.
Heck, I don't even like how diamond brite feel - it's too rough for me - won't have that problem either hah.

As for the legs - based on the dimensions I found online of the Intex pool I count that the short wall of the liner will rest on the concrete walls and I would add wooden support beams for the frame - I would skip the legs, there is no space for them. I'd install the legs on the long edges as I need to push one edge from the shell to fit the skimmers; I see if I could supplement them with some wooden beams anyway. I had a smaller 10ft rectangular pool like that in a garden last year and have an idea how the liner works.
I'd put 1/2" EVA foam at the bottom of the shell, then the included liner on the foam. Also EVA foam on the sides where they touch the concrete.

 

[Mdragger88]

Best of luck with it!
Post pics along the way- we pics!
People have done some really interesting things with intex pools!