Moomin719 said:
You did get tons done looks GREAT. I see you do not have blocks under the leg if I recall you were going to use pavers why did you decide on wood? Any advice on leveling I still have not really got around to mine, staked area off but kind of at a stand still we were also building a shed so that was first, now that's done, going to be doing the pool, so any advice you can think of would be appreciated!
I was talking with one of the other users on here & he had used something similar to boards under his legs. I used 16x16in blocks under the sides you can not see in the above pics, but on that one side, due to rocks I was unable to dig out a 16in wide area for the blocks so I used 2x6x16. I know the wood will eventually break down but I hope to have a better idea by then. I was worried that since I could only get about a 6 inch wide area dug 6 in wide blocks would not support the weight.
On that note, on the one side I dug down to deep & had to back fill. I did not realize some sand had washed out a channel under 2 of my blocks & this pic shows what happens to the blocks when they are not on completely solid ground or have a channel washed out from under them. I think I am going to get some 3/16 in thick steel plate to go on top of the blocks, if I can figure out how to jack up each leg just enough to get the plate under the legs -
For leveling, all I can tell you is take your time. Try to get down to solid ground as much as possible. You want to use the least amount of sand you can get away with. Use foam board for your cushioning. I used 1/2in foam and wish I would have gone thicker, but I was trying to save money. $8 more sheet times 16 sheets added up, but in retrospect it would have been worth it.
The only way I could figure out to level the sand was by using the same technique they use for floating a concrete pad. Surround the area with level 2x4s and then use a 2x4 sitting on top of your surround as a scraper. This video clip is not in english but it will give you a basic idea of what I am talking about
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z06peFzea0A&feature=related
If you look at this pic you will see a 17 foot long 2x4 that I pieced together laying across my surround.
You put a couple shovels full of sand in front of the scraper board & then have one person on each end pull the board towards you. If you can have a third person around to shovel more sand in front of your 2x4 scraper it will help. The less sand you have piled up the easier it will be to pull the 2x4.. I used pine 2x4s for my scraper because they weigh less.
Once you have done this. Gently wet down your sand. Tamp it down & then go back over & repeat the process again.
Take your time with the entire process. You should probably look at renting a transit level. I used one almost every day of this project. I couldnt find a place to rent one, so I bought one.. It was a $350 investment, but I can never have enough tools.
Doing a rectangular Intex pool is a LOT harder than doing a round. I wanted to give up more than a few times. I cussed myself out for not going with a 24ft round instead of this **##!! rectangular pool. But last night (even though it was 47 degrees out & water temp of 60) when I dove under the water & swam from one end to the other, I admitted all the work was worth it.
I am far from an expert at putting up any kind of an above ground pool. The resources here are wonderful, so definitely listen to them before you listen to me... but with that being said, any help you need feel free to ask
And now for more pics -
stirring up the salt
Look, its a manatee
ok, enough playing, by this time I was starting to freeze. time for a hot shower
. Buckled the U bracket and made it drop a little lower than what it was originally. Right now it is only 2 of us that use the pool, so we have decided to leave it for now and keep a watch on it. After summer or should I say the end of the year as I am in Florida, we will drain it and then reset it, may even rent a skiploaded and dig out more of where it sets so it would be closer to the ground to put up a deck around.
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out of interest what did you finish the inside of the extra bottom drain with?