When it comes to choosing an above-ground swimming pool, the brand Intex is the choice for many pool purchasers. Intex is a highly trusted and respected name in the pool supply industry. It offers an excellent line of above-ground pools that are affordable and very easy to install yet solidly constructed.
If you are considering the purchase of an Intex above-ground pool, it is important to take several considerations into account prior to making your selection. By making an informed decision regarding the specific Intex pool model you purchase, you should ensure that your pool will be a good fit for your yard
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What if you have bought an Intex swimming pool but it is unlevel?
If your Intex pool is unlevel, and you are wondering if you can still use it without any grave consequences then you are wrong.
Unlevel Intex pool might create problems for you and your family. Most Intex pool owners are confused aboutwhat they can do if their Intex pool is unlevel by a couple of inches, so I have decided to create this guide just for them.
In this guide I have told about the risks of unlevel Intex pools and how to fix this problem.
Intex Pool:
There are a variety of options available in the market for above ground pool but Intex above ground swimming pools can accommodate a wide variety of yards as well as found in many different budgets.
Many Intex above ground pools come with complete equipment and accessories such as ground and pool covers, ladders, filter pumps, surface skimmers and pool vacuums. Intex above ground pools also come with an instructional DVD for even greater convenience and to make the assembly process as straightforward as possible.
Intex above ground swimming pools are available in four basic styles:
- Easy Set Pools
- Metal Frame Pools
- Round Ultra Frame Pools
- Rectangular Ultra Frame Pools
All of these Intex pools feature strong, triple-ply sidewalls and will provide many hours of aquatic fun and recreation.
Risks When Intex Pool Is Unlevel:
If you have bought an Intex pool or any above-ground pool, you should place it on level ground as much as possible.
However, Intex and other pool manufacturers give their customers some guidance when it comes to setting up their above-ground pools on unlevel surfaces.
You may set your Intex pool on a sloping yard as long as it does not make your Intex pools unlevel by more than 2 inches. If it is more than 2 inches, you need to do some precautionary measures as this makes your pool vulnerable to damage. We draw the line at 3 inches, if it is three inches or more, we highly advise you to try and level your Intex pool first.
Following are the risks that you can face if you pool is unlevel.
The trouble with your pool’s:
- Unlevel Intex pools may have one part of the pool lower than other parts, and this unevenly distributed pressure on your pool’s walls.
- A part of your pool may have the highest weight due to it being on uneven ground.
- This can cause your wall to collapse and leave permanent damage on your Intex pool. This applies to both framed pools and inflatable pool sets. Damage to your pool liner:
- Another part of your Intex pool that can be damaged by it being unlevel is your pool liner.
- If your pool liner is on an uneven surface, it may have folds and wrinkles on it. These folds and wrinkles may get caught up when you clean your pool using your pool vacuum, and this may cause your liner to rip or tear apart.
- Even if Intex pools use strong and durable pool liners it is still suspect to damage if it is set on an unlevel ground.
Danger to small children:
- Having an unlevel Intex pool will cause a side of your pool to be higher than the other side.
- This is risky if you have small children who cannot reach the base of your Intex pool.
- Also, as mentioned earlier, there is a risk of collapse or tear of your pool’s interior, and you don’t want that occurring when your kids are using your Intex pool.
- For these reasons, we highly suggest you level the area first where you’ll set up your Intex pool set.
For those who don’t have kids using their above ground pool, you may opt to swim on an unlevel Intex pool. Hopefully, your pool will hold. It’s a risk you can take.
But for those with kids using their Intex pool, we recommend leveling the ground for your Intex pool for their safety.
How to Level the Ground for Intex Pools
There are two ways you can level the ground for Intex pools.
- The first way is to do it by yourself and learn the ways others level their own Intex pools.
- The second option is that you may consider hiring someone else, a professional pool installer, to do your above-ground pool installation which includes leveling the area you plan to set up your swimming pool.
Both options will cost you money, but since you are already reading this guide, I will help you to do everything on your own.
Here are the instructions on how to level the ground for Intex pools if it’s on ground soil.
How To Level The Ground For Your Pool?
1. Gather the necessary materials and equipment:
Before you start leveling the ground for your Intex pool, first get the needed materials and equipment. You may need a:
- Tape measure
- Shovel
- Hammer
- Leveling blocks (pressure-treated lumber or patio pave) and something you can put under your Intex pool for added protection like an old tarp
2. Wear the Gloves:
- Maybe this should be the first thing you do before you start working on your pool.
- You also need to wear other defensive cloth and apparatuses that you might have.
3. Measure how much your Intex pool is unlevel:
- You can easily check your Intex pool water to determine how many inches your Intex pool is unlevel by visual inspection.
- Since most Intex pools have square tiles on their pool walls, you can just count how many squares are showing on one side, and how many squares are on the opposite side.
- If you cannot properly determine how many inches your Intex pool is unlevel, you can use a tape measure or a level tool to have a more accurate measurement.
4. Drain your pool:
- If your Intex pool is unlevel by more than 3 inches, I suggest draining the whole pool.
- If it’s only by a few inches or is less than 2 inches, you may drain only half the water on your Intex pool.
- However, if it is one of those large-sized Intex pools, you might be better off draining it completely to minimize the risks of your pool getting damaged while we level the ground underneath it.
5. Put blocks under your Intex pool:
- To level your inflatable Intex pool, you may put blocks on the ground to have a level Intex pool.
- You may have to dig the ground first, so you can easily level the ground using the soil on it and either a concrete block or patio pavers.
- For framed Intex pools that are unlevel, you may put a block of wood or concrete underneath the legs of your Intex pool to level it.
6. Check if your Intex pool is leveled now:
- Now that you have put the blocks underneath your Intex pool, verify if it is properly leveled before refilling it with water.
- Check if there is any difference between the water levels of your swimming pool.
- Go around your pool to check each side.
- Avoid refilling your pool without making sure that the ground is leveled properly to avoid having to re-do these steps all over again.
7. Sand:
Leveling the sand is easier than leveling the ground itself. If you intend to use sand for leveling when installing your above ground pool, all you will have to do is:
- Pour the sand on your installation spot.
- Spread it evenly.
- Then compact it.
- When done correctly, this should give you a level ground.
Using sand over concrete is not recommended. Since sand moves around easily on concrete surfaces, it can make your pool unstable.
8. Concrete Slab or Pad :
- The easiest way to level the ground for your swimming pool is to make use of concrete.
- With concrete, it is easy to get a smooth and level surface, and its rough texture ensures that the pool stays stationary even when it is being used by a large number of people.
- However, concrete’s rough surface also happens to be a major disadvantage.
- This is why another layer is usually placed between the concrete and the swimming pool itself.
While sand may be cheap, it is not ideal for use with concrete. This is why you may have to invest in the costlier commercial pads.
9. Foam:
Aside from being a good protective layer between a concrete surface and the above-ground pool, foam is an ideal solution for anyone wondering how to level ground for a pool without digging.
- Usually, it is made either of polyurethane or polystyrene, solid foam features a varying thickness.
- You can easily cut it into whatever shape you need. The major downside of using this leveling solution is the cost – solid foam is generally not cheap.
10. Use a Rolling Tamper:
If you are wondering how to level ground for a pool without digging, making use of the rolling tamper may be an ideal option for you.
The steps below will show you how to level ground for the easy set pool using the rolling tamper:
- Mark the spot where you would like to install your pool with stakes.
- Clear the grass and sod from the area.
- Start rolling the tamper on the ground to level it.
- Put some sand over the ground – a layer of approximately 1 – 2 inches.
- Use the rolling tamper to level the sand layer.
- Install your swimming pool.
To Sum Up:
The unlevel pool is very risky; it is not a problem that you should take lightly. I recommend you fix this problem as soon as possible before it causes you big trouble.
There are many ways an above-ground pool can be re-leveled. But you would need to level the uneven surface first before you set up your above-ground pool on an uneven surface. Also, you can choose to hire a professional to do it for you.