Ok so technically I had my pool up for a month at the end of last year but I thought I’d do a build thread for the full build for this year as I have way more stuff and i can include links to help UK based folk.
I purchased an Intex XTR 18ft by 9ft from Ultra XTR Frame Above Ground Swimming Pool 18ft x 9ft x 52" Rectangular for £1095 in August 2020.
(Now £1495 and out of stock!! Glad my wife talked me into it).
After a quick unpack and getting excited I did some browsing and found TFP. Thankfully I quickly learnt my garden wasn’t level enough and my soil not compact enough (just had the lawn turfed with an inch of new soil laid on top of old). So began a week of digging by hand in 35-38C (95-100F) temps. It nearly killed me but I lost 6lb in weight so not all bad. A quick few (well lots) of 100m each way trips with the wheelbarrow 2.5 tonnes of sand had made its way to the correct spot.
Finally some 50mm (2”) pavers from Selco provided the leg supports and the pool was filled
I used the standard pump (1200GPH) and sand filter (10”) which was ok but needed backwashing frequently as it’s probably a little undersized.
A 500micron solar cover (SolGuard Geo) from Swimming Pool Covers | Solar Pool Covers | Pool Supplies UK | Pool Equipment Suppliers was added to help retain some heat.
I only used the pool a handful of times before it got cold. My daughter and friends used it for the last time in late September with the water at a chilly 19C (66F).
It was then taken down and packed up ready for this year.
Next post will be my many winter purchases...
I purchased an Intex XTR 18ft by 9ft from Ultra XTR Frame Above Ground Swimming Pool 18ft x 9ft x 52" Rectangular for £1095 in August 2020.
(Now £1495 and out of stock!! Glad my wife talked me into it).
After a quick unpack and getting excited I did some browsing and found TFP. Thankfully I quickly learnt my garden wasn’t level enough and my soil not compact enough (just had the lawn turfed with an inch of new soil laid on top of old). So began a week of digging by hand in 35-38C (95-100F) temps. It nearly killed me but I lost 6lb in weight so not all bad. A quick few (well lots) of 100m each way trips with the wheelbarrow 2.5 tonnes of sand had made its way to the correct spot.
Finally some 50mm (2”) pavers from Selco provided the leg supports and the pool was filled
I used the standard pump (1200GPH) and sand filter (10”) which was ok but needed backwashing frequently as it’s probably a little undersized.
A 500micron solar cover (SolGuard Geo) from Swimming Pool Covers | Solar Pool Covers | Pool Supplies UK | Pool Equipment Suppliers was added to help retain some heat.
I only used the pool a handful of times before it got cold. My daughter and friends used it for the last time in late September with the water at a chilly 19C (66F).
It was then taken down and packed up ready for this year.
Next post will be my many winter purchases...
)
