Intex Leveling Help

[Ace302]

Hello Everyone,
Just purchased an Intex 18' x 52" with sand filter, pump and SWG. This is our first above ground pool so we are newbies. I expect the pump and maybe the filter will eventually need to be upgraded but first things first.

We live in Southern California but still plan to take this pool down during the winter months.
My question has to do with leveling the ground. We currently have sod and the ground that the pool will cover is sloped about 4 inches from one side to the other. From what I have read, the best process is to remove ground material from the high side but this is not really an option for us. We still want to be able to replant the grass and use during the winter months (small CA backyard).
Therefore, I was thinking we could lay down a tarp and add material (sand) to level. Then add rigid foam on top of that. Then after the season, easy clean up. Remove the pool, foam, sand, tarp and then lay down some seed.

I have read sand is not ideal but we don't get any rain during the summer months here so erosion shouldn't really be a factor. From here on out, pool will probably be up May-Sept.

Will I have problems if I use sand? Is putting the sand on a tarp a mistake as the sand/pool may slide due to the grade?

Any suggestions/advice?
Thanks.

 

[domct203]

Welcome to the forum.

Unless you use something to hold back the sand (retaining wall), the weight of 7600 gallons (approx. 63,500lbs) is going to push that sand right out.

Also, once you put the sand down you will need to properly compact it to make it stable.

 

[ike0069]

I agree that the sand will likely not stay in place without some sort of retaining wall.

Also, why are you taking it down? From what I read and my own experiences, it is MUCH better to leave it up year round unless you live in a place with very cold winters, and even then I would say its preferred.

 

[Ace302]

Welcome to the forum.

Unless you use something to hold back the sand (retaining wall), the weight of 7600 gallons (approx. 63,500lbs) is going to push that sand right out.

Also, once you put the sand down you will need to properly compact it to make it stable.

Thanks for the reply. My thought was to make a small retaining wall using some pressure treated wood (6x6 or 4x6). Drill holes in the lumber and insert 3-4 foot pieces of rebar.

 

[Ace302]

I agree that the sand will likely not stay in place without some sort of retaining wall.

Also, why are you taking it down? From what I read and my own experiences, it is MUCH better to leave it up year round unless you live in a place with very cold winters, and even then I would say its preferred.

Thanks for the reply. Regarding taking it down, our kids are in sports year round and we don't really want to lose a third of the backyard for the entire year. They use the backyard all winter to practice their soccer.
Plus don't really want to worry about maintaining it during the winter.
However, I am not completely ruling out leaving it up. I may find that it is too much work to take it down and put back up - especially considering what I have to do to level (temporarily).

What are some of the reasons why is it better to leave it up year round?

 

[krazykrames]

What I've noticed with taking the Intex pools down every year is that with all the folding, moving, unfolding, repeat....they will develop many pinhole leaks. That's why I now leave mine up all year round, even here in MN where they freeze solid.

 

[LFrankow]

What I did with mine is lower the high side, not putting any of that dirt on the low side. I made a spirit level, out of a juice jug, length of 1/4' clear plastic hose, two sticks. Cut off the bottom of the jug, put a hole in the lid for the tubing, silicone it. Then mount the jug on one stick so the tube is pointing down. attach the end of the hose to the second stick, put a rubber band around it to mark and hold a level reading. Pound the stick with the jug in the ground, add a little food colouring fill with water. Stand end stick next to jug move rubber band to where water level is, that will hold true all around the pool area.
Then tell your kids that shoveling is really good dryland training for soccer ")