I think I can, I think I can…

[Leener]

Just ordered the:

Intex Ultra XTR Frame 18' x 52" Above Ground Swimming Pool with Sand Filter Pump, Ladder, Cover, & Maintenance Accessory Kit with Vacuum and Skimmer​

And the…

Intex Krystal Clear Saltwater System for Above-Ground Pools up to 15,000 Gallons​

It fit my budget and relieved some of the decision making regarding compatible accessories.

As I’m waiting for the arrival of the pool, I’m figuring out the best area for the pool, how far from the patio, and the best sub flooring. I’ve read about leveling and my OCD should take care of that.

Is 3’ from the patio sufficient?

Should the leveled area and foam extend a foot out, 19’ instead of 18’?

After foam is set, do the legs/cement blocks go on top of the foam or just outside/beside it?

Should I make the blocks flush with the sand or should they sit above the sand?

Also, my yard is decently sloped so I’ll need to gradually remove more soil towards the back. Anything I should consider regarding this?

So far I have staked out an 18’ diameter circle. The electric is on the left side of the patio when facing the yard. It is a bit overwhelming to begin digging out the sod. Any encouragement is appreciated! Thanks in advance…

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome to TFP! I'm just returning from a trip and see your first post just sitting here. Have you already answered some of your own questions, or can we still assist?

 

[Leener]

Hi Texas Splash, hope you had a nice trip. Good news, pool came early. Wasn’t expecting it until next week. Bad news, haven’t started removing the sod and leveling. I haven’t really gotten answers but figured I’d figure it out at each step. But now I have to get a move on as the pool/box it’s in is blocking my washer and dryer!!

 

[Newdude]

Hey Leener and Welcome !!!!!


Sorry you fell through the cracks.

Is 3’ from the patio sufficient?

Yes. It will wobble and shift a little, but only a couple inches. Anything over 18+ is fine IMO.

Should the leveled area and foam extend a foot out, 19’ instead of 18’?

Yes. The leg support bricks will be wider than the pool. Make sure to use 2.5+ inch thick stones. The '2 inch' ones are really 1.5 inch and are stepping stones not paver bricks. They tend to crack easily and if enough do, the whole pool comes down to fix then.

After foam is set, do the legs/cement blocks go on top of the foam or just outside/beside it?

Under it with the foam cut out around the bricks. The blocks and the ground should be level.

Should I make the blocks flush with the sand or should they sit above the sand?

Level/flush.

Also, my yard is decently sloped so I’ll need to gradually remove more soil towards the back. Anything I should consider regarding this

You got it. Always dig down, never build up. If full to the brim, your pool will be just under 70k lbs. That's about 12 fully loaded 4 door Ford F150s in an 18 ft circle. It'll probably smush whatever you do to build it up.

Any encouragement is appreciated

You got this !!!!

 

[Leener]

Thank you, getting started tomorrow!!

 

[kimkats]

Dude has you covered with all of your questions.

A couple of things I will speak on:
-path from the pool to the deck. I would have a solid run of stepping stones from the ladder area to the deck. Don't get "cute" with space between the steppers. This will only lead to more maintenance for you in the long run. I would also make a "pad" where the ladder legs will be that can hold a small tub of water to rinse feet off before they get in the pool.

-The area under where the hoses go into and out of the pool need to have something like a stepper of such to keep that area from washing out if/when the hose comes off.

Getting the "pad" ready will be the hardest part of all. Take your time so you only have to put the pool up one time. It WILL be worth it in the end!

 

[Leener]

Thanks dude, appreciate the helpful info. Didn’t make too much headway. I filled up some bare areas in my yard with top soil, hoping to transfer the sod from the pool area to it. Didn’t turn it well, the Florida sand just crumpled. So going to have to just dig out the area. Already exhausted from laying out fifteen bags of topsoil and digging the outline of the 20’ circle.

 

[Newdude]

No matter how much it sucks. And it will suck, I'm not gonna lie. But keep reminding yourself how you only want to do this once. Far too many cut corners when the going gets rough and the pool needs to come down to *then* do what they shoulda done in the first place. 68k lbs. 12, four door F150s, and just one of them is probably longer than your circle.

Take as much time as you need to do it right.

 

[Leener]

I know you’re right. Thank you

 

[kimkats]

I found a buddy to help you dig! LOL You can do it!

 

[Leener]

Ha ha… got this bandit right here! He’s not as innocent as he looks
Thank you!

 

[phonedave]

-path from the pool to the deck. I would have a solid run of stepping stones from the ladder area to the deck. Don't get "cute" with space between the steppers. This will only lead to more maintenance for you in the long run.

But pulling weeds is fun.

 

[Leener]

I’m at a standstill. Looking at 1” XPS foam boards, they are pricey, about $30 per 8x4. 1/2” boards are about $20 per board. Was wondering if with the soft sand underneath if 1/2” was enough.
Got sidetracked with getting sod to fix the areas that were destroyed. Tired, didn’t sleep well.
Wondering if I can even level all that sand (Florida soil), cut & tape the foam and cover with pool tarp (or buy a better one). Then pick up thick stones for the legs. I’m overwhelmed.
Haven’t even thought of what chemicals I need for the salt water. It’s in the middle of my living room so I can put the car in the garage. Woe is me.

 

[Newdude]

It’s in the middle of my living room so I can put the car in the garage. Woe is me.

The car would cause more trouble in the living room than it's worth. Ya did good.

Haven’t even thought of what chemicals I need for the salt water.

Numero uno and supero importante. No adding nothing without baseline tests.

You need CYA (CyanuricAcid) / a.k.a stabilizer / a.k.a conditioner granuals. Get two 4lb bags at Walmart. (Chlorox brand, $20 each)

Pick up a 2 gallons of pool essentials chlorinating liquid. Also at Walmart. There will be a date code on the bottle. 25xxxxxxx. It's 2025 and the day # it was produced. Do simple math in the aisle looking for the freshest one if possible. 30 days for Jan + 25 days in Feb would be 25 055 xxxxxxx if it was bottled today.

The rest can wait until you test the fill water.

You wont ever need calcium.

To raise the TA, and you probably won't need to, use baking soda. It's dirt cheap everywhere.

To raise the Ph, and you probably won't need to, use 20 mule borax from the laundry aisle, also dirt cheap. ($6 for 4lbs ?)

To lower the Ph, grab a gallon of muriatic acid from Ace hardware.

Do you have a test kit yet ?
Test Kits Compared

The TFpro salt is the hands down winner. Or get the TF100 salt and add the smart stir. It's a must have.

Don't get put off by the test kit investment. It's mostly for the included parts. The refills go on sale each March in the mid $40s so you only have to take the big hit once.

Download PoolMath and pay the $8 yearly fee for premium. It'll save all your logs and we can see them too, which is super helpful while you're learning. We can either reverse engineer a problem, or spot one before it happens. $8 is peanuts.

Sorry i have no thoughts about the padding. Opinions are just as opinionated as Chevy / Ford / Dodge. Nobody is wrong in either discussion. All of them still work.

 

[Leener]

True about the car
Went to Home Depot today and picked up 18 8x4” cement blocks for the pool legs.

Was going to get the 1” XPS foam but the few that were left were mostly damaged. Went with the 1/2”, hope it’s enough. The soil is sand so I don’t think cushion will be an issue. Then I’ll have a tarp or gorilla pad.

I will get the chemicals and kit you’ve mentioned and sign up for the pool math once I’m close to finishing, if the day ever comes.

Not as young as I used to be, so slow going. Had to take a prednisone pill for the inflammation in my hands. Realized the sod in the area I was fixing was low so worked on that.

Sometimes it’s one day of work asks one day to recuperate…we’ll see what tomorrow brings.

Thank you

 

[kimkats]

Listen to your body and don't do too much. Epson salts in a HOT bath will also do you a world of good! An adult drink sitting on the edge of the tub would not hurt anything LOL

 

[Newdude]

Went to Home Depot today

Don't EVEN get me STARTED on the HomeDepot / Lowes debate.

Was going to get the 1” XPS foam but the few that were left were mostly damaged

Yes. You already said you went to Home Depot. No need to say it twice.

Not as young as I used to be, so slow going.

There's 127 days left until the 4th of July party. You still have a minute if you need it.

 

[Leener]

Hi folks, I’m back in the game. Already had the pool for a few weeks. Finally got to digging and this is not as easy as I had imagined. Going to need a retention wall for the back slope. I’m thinking blocks…Any thoughts are appreciated. Not sure I’m cut out for this

 

[VinnyinNJ]

You don't necessarily need blocks but a gentle slop that goes flat at the pool. We have a sloping backyard and there was no way to make it all flat. It was a lot of land so we had an excavator come and do it. We have a large slope near the pool that is grassed and it is fine. It does sometimes gets a little swampy there but not a big thing here in NJ.

 

[Leener]

Hi Vinny, I’m in Florida and the ground is sand. Between humans and dogs walking, the sand is already collapsing. Something has to hold it back or it will become a mess.