I am preparing ground for 15’ intex metal frame pool, which is not the type one can bury. The first thing I read was to dig down to firm ground, which I did. And herein lies the problem: with attaining firm, level ground, and taking into account the slope of my lawn, the west side of the pool will be a foot in the ground (see pic). The east side is fine. I want to put a pool in this location. Should I return Intex pool and buy one that can be semi buried?
Semi buried or Intex?
- Thread starter Lisa Cat
- Start date
- Jul 3, 2013
- 9,028
- Pool Size
- 15000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool SJ-40
it will be fine, really your not burying it.. I cut down 18 inches of hill for mine and it has been fine.. Your not putting the dirt back around it.. 
I've heard those are $7k-$9k this year. Dig some of the hill if need be and install a French drain around the pool if need be to carry any water to the low side.
It's just an intex pool which is a huge bag of water sitting on the ground.
Get the area fairly level, put pavers down for the legs and I'd build a simple retaining wall a foot or 2 away from the edge of the pool using patio block, bricks etc. Also keep the lower side sloped away from the pool for draining.
The objective is to have the pool level, but not allow the area to hold much water and you want to keep that hill from washing out / settling into your cleared area.
Get the area fairly level, put pavers down for the legs and I'd build a simple retaining wall a foot or 2 away from the edge of the pool using patio block, bricks etc. Also keep the lower side sloped away from the pool for draining.
The objective is to have the pool level, but not allow the area to hold much water and you want to keep that hill from washing out / settling into your cleared area.
Nice job on digging down to low point. I agree, that is fine for Intex as long as you don’t backfill. Small retaining wall and a drain and you are good!
Thanks to all for the replies. Exactly what I needed to know. Great suggestions and support!
Gopherboy6956
Well-known member
While I just setup my steel sided AGP, I previously had an Intex XTR for the last three years in the exact same spot. I WILL backfill this pool, but it was left exactly like you see in this picture the whole time the Intex was up.
Thanks for the picture—extremely helpful. I now feel confident moving forward with the pool in the intended location. You guys/gals rock!