How not to build a pool

[xrocket21]

So, we were given a free 24' above ground pool. We disassembled it and had trouble where a foam chamfer was glued to the bottom of the ring, making it difficult to roll up and we got a few crinkles. I tried to pound some out with a mallet and a block of wood, but we mostly hoped they would pop out a bit when we filled it.

On advice from my brother in law, I drove rebar in the ground and taped a level to a 2x6"



After spending a day, we ran out of time and had to shelve the project for 2 weeks



Touched up the sand, added more to the outside and got the felt down



Got the ring installed, but didn't line the seam up with a post, so we got 12 people over and rotated the ring to the right position.



Ran out of time once again so braced it with everything we had to keep the wind from knocking it down



Running out of time, with snow in the forecast, we took Tuesday off from work to try to wrap it up.



As we opened the liner we bought for ~$800, it said do NOT install less than 65 degrees.... It was like 40 out with a light rain. We got the liner in and it didn't fit the top ring. We went back and stretched, and a little help from a heat gun got it to fit. We attached a shop vac for suction, and slowly started filling and smoothing the liner from the hose. Yes I know you can pay a water truck, but we have an extremely good well.



The bottom fill went well, and then coming up the sides it got very taught and started flexing in. Then one part let go (after filling for 3 days)



And now the whole thing is coming down



Pretty deflated We have a fair amount of money in this and a lot of work. Yes, we should have done it in the summer, our original plan was to have it in by the 4th of July. But life is busy, it rained basically every weekend, 2 kids in soccer all fall, etc. We really wanted to have it assembled and partially full this year, so that next year we can just mess with topping it off, setting up the pump and filter, and getting the chemical right.

Any pool experts? I think the liner is still fine. Do we probably need to replace the ring? If I could have just got it to fill more, the innter pressure would have put the whole thing under tension....


What a disaster!

[marshdrummer]

I worked at an above ground pool retailer for 18 years. That looks like an Atlantic brand resin pool. The liner 'should' be fine. Without seeing pics of the actual wall damage, I can't tell if it is still good. As long as there are no creases, no damage to the skimmer hole, and no sharp spots, it may look kinda shitty, but should still work. And it I also hate to say - if you need a new wall, it is the most expensive part of the pool. The other issue...the reason it did that is because it's too cold out. The liner should fit VERY snug on the lip of the wall since it's a beaded liner (goes on the lip of the wall, not over the wall, then you trim it). As you start filling the pool, the heat allows the liner to stretch. With it being too cold, the liner didn't stretch as the water filled forcing the liner to pop off the wall. The other issue that can happen with it being too cold - IF the liner stays attached, you have a good chance of having the seams rip. Again, without the heat stretching the vinyl, it puts pressure on the seams. If you are going to try again in the spring, put the liner in the house for a couple weeks to get room temp, then open the liner up outside and let it sit in the sun for the morning while you put the wall back up. Heats it up nicely. Then its as warm as you can get it when you put it in helping the stretching process. But, I wouldn't try to install it under 50-55 degrees. Do NOT leave the wall and uprights up over the winter without water in your pool. It will blow over or collapse. Although I have moved on from that company, I still have a couple connections. Let me know if you need any help (not physically since I'm in CT).

[marshdrummer]

Also, to help stretch the liner when you try this again - once its all together, grab 6 or more home depot buckets, put them in strategic places inside the pool (put cardboard under them to not rip the liner) and fill with water. As the liner stretches, adjust them more to the wall to keep the liner stretching, then pour the water in. The buckets help with pre-stretching to take the brunt force of the water away.

[xrocket21]

I worked at an above ground pool retailer for 18 years. That looks like an Atlantic brand resin pool. The liner 'should' be fine. Without seeing pics of the actual wall damage, I can't tell if it is still good. As long as there are no creases, no damage to the skimmer hole, and no sharp spots, it may look kinda shitty, but should still work. And it I also hate to say - if you need a new wall, it is the most expensive part of the pool. The other issue...the reason it did that is because it's too cold out. The liner should fit VERY snug on the lip of the wall since it's a beaded liner (goes on the lip of the wall, not over the wall, then you trim it). As you start filling the pool, the heat allows the liner to stretch. With it being too cold, the liner didn't stretch as the water filled forcing the liner to pop off the wall. The other issue that can happen with it being too cold - IF the liner stays attached, you have a good chance of having the seams rip. Again, without the heat stretching the vinyl, it puts pressure on the seams. If you are going to try again in the spring, put the liner in the house for a couple weeks to get room temp, then open the liner up outside and let it sit in the sun for the morning while you put the wall back up. Heats it up nicely. Then its as warm as you can get it when you put it in helping the stretching process. But, I wouldn't try to install it under 50-55 degrees. Do NOT leave the wall and uprights up over the winter without water in your pool. It will blow over or collapse. Although I have moved on from that company, I still have a couple connections. Let me know if you need any help (not physically since I'm in CT).

Thanks! I appreciate the help! We probably should have stopped when it said 65 degrees right on the box....

There is no damage to the skimmer hole.

Not sure what to do for the winter, I feel like the whole thing is kinda fucked. I guess it would be nice if we could salvage the wall.

[RandyO]

Any pool experts?

not me, but my son is, he installs those nearly by himself in a weekend, needs help for about 2 hrs, I was his helper once, but had no clue what or why

[gixxer72]

Thanks! I appreciate the help! We probably should have stopped when it said 65 degrees right on the box....

There is no damage to the skimmer hole.

Not sure what to do for the winter, I feel like the whole thing is kinda fucked. I guess it would be nice if we could salvage the wall.

I also installed pools for many years. As already noted, warm weather is key for liner install. Pump the water out, get liner dry and in storage, give it another go next summer!

[JettaJayGLS]

I also installed above ground pools for a couple summers.
You really want a sand bottom, and you want to build a ~6-8 inch cove of sand against the inside of the liner. Basically just throw the sand at an angle against the wall and let it fall down - that's it.
It provides support to the walls and also provides a nice smooth transition from wall to floor.

As other said, we also let our liners sit and bake in the sun for awhile. We would come back to do the liner if it wasn't warm enough out.

[LuvDog]

Drain it. Start again in the summer when it's warm or at least on a very sunny spring day.

The last time I helped set one of these up, we also dug the center slightly deeper and slope up the the sides.

[xrocket21]

I also installed above ground pools for a couple summers.
You really want a sand bottom, and you want to build a ~6-8 inch cove of sand against the inside of the liner. Basically just throw the sand at an angle against the wall and let it fall down - that's it.
It provides support to the walls and also provides a nice smooth transition from wall to floor.

As other said, we also let our liners sit and bake in the sun for awhile. We would come back to do the liner if it wasn't warm enough out.

This came with an attached foam cove. Really nice, other than it made it a bitch to roll it up when uninstalling it. You can clearly see it in the 4th piucture.

And we brought in 5 yards of sand, so there is plenty of sand on the bottom.

Sounds like we probably would have been fine if we had done it on a warm day.

edit: but wqe did have flat sand then the liner, we dont have a couple inches extra sand inside like that picture shows.

[xrocket21]

Drain it. Start again in the summer when it's warm or at least on a very sunny spring day.

The last time I helped set one of these up, we also dug the center slightly deeper and slope up the the sides.

I thought of this. Despite my best efforts, one side is 2" lower, so when we filled and stretched out wrinkles it was from one side to the other, not from the center out.

Guess we will have to try again next year....

Sucks, we have a shit to n of work into getting this far.

[JettaJayGLS]

We would rake/level a few inches of sand, creating a pile of "extra" in the middle. Then we threw the extra sand against the wall to create the cove. Then we tamped THE FUCK out of it all, including the cove. Then it all got misted down and a final, light, top rake to remove any rocks/impurities.

I see the foam cove in the photo - don't think that will help support the walls at all, but will do the job of giving the liner something to rest on.

[xrocket21]

I worked at an above ground pool retailer for 18 years. That looks like an Atlantic brand resin pool. The liner 'should' be fine. Without seeing pics of the actual wall damage, I can't tell if it is still good. As long as there are no creases, no damage to the skimmer hole, and no sharp spots, it may look kinda shitty, but should still work. And it I also hate to say - if you need a new wall, it is the most expensive part of the pool. The other issue...the reason it did that is because it's too cold out. The liner should fit VERY snug on the lip of the wall since it's a beaded liner (goes on the lip of the wall, not over the wall, then you trim it). As you start filling the pool, the heat allows the liner to stretch. With it being too cold, the liner didn't stretch as the water filled forcing the liner to pop off the wall. The other issue that can happen with it being too cold - IF the liner stays attached, you have a good chance of having the seams rip. Again, without the heat stretching the vinyl, it puts pressure on the seams. If you are going to try again in the spring, put the liner in the house for a couple weeks to get room temp, then open the liner up outside and let it sit in the sun for the morning while you put the wall back up. Heats it up nicely. Then its as warm as you can get it when you put it in helping the stretching process. But, I wouldn't try to install it under 50-55 degrees. Do NOT leave the wall and uprights up over the winter without water in your pool. It will blow over or collapse. Although I have moved on from that company, I still have a couple connections. Let me know if you need any help (not physically since I'm in CT).

I reallllllly dont want to take the whole thing down for the winter......

[Point37]

nice job!...i'm in the process of doing the same but with a cheap intex pool...started 1 day of digging the hole but that's it...high side has to be dug down 16" if i remember correctly...boney soil...wife wants the pool but we live 10 mins from the town beach...i'm not digging the hole unless she is out there digging with me

[RandyO]

nice job!...i'm in the process of doing the same but with a cheap intex pool...started 1 day of digging the hole but that's it...high side has to be dug down 16" if i remember correctly...boney soil...wife wants the pool but we live 10 mins from the town beach...i'm not digging the hole unless she is out there digging with me

sounds more like a rent an excavator project to me

[obsolete]

sounds more like a rent an excavator project to me

I'm lucky, I have a rental place down the street so it's easy for me but I don't dig anymore. I think 40 was the age where I realized I like my back more than dollars.

[Point37]

sounds more like a rent an excavator project to me

I'm lucky, I have a rental place down the street so it's easy for me but I don't dig anymore. I think 40 was the age where I realized I like my back more than dollars.

I’ve been using a tiny electric rototiller to loosen it up and shovel it out…sucks but it’s free…may see if I can borrow a larger gas powered one from a friend


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[xrocket21]

got it drained with a Siphon, and since today is a 50 degree day, got the sides stood back up and the liner re-attached...

[xrocket21]

I worked at an above ground pool retailer for 18 years. That looks like an Atlantic brand resin pool. The liner 'should' be fine. Without seeing pics of the actual wall damage, I can't tell if it is still good. As long as there are no creases, no damage to the skimmer hole, and no sharp spots, it may look kinda shitty, but should still work. And it I also hate to say - if you need a new wall, it is the most expensive part of the pool. The other issue...the reason it did that is because it's too cold out. The liner should fit VERY snug on the lip of the wall since it's a beaded liner (goes on the lip of the wall, not over the wall, then you trim it). As you start filling the pool, the heat allows the liner to stretch. With it being too cold, the liner didn't stretch as the water filled forcing the liner to pop off the wall. The other issue that can happen with it being too cold - IF the liner stays attached, you have a good chance of having the seams rip. Again, without the heat stretching the vinyl, it puts pressure on the seams. If you are going to try again in the spring, put the liner in the house for a couple weeks to get room temp, then open the liner up outside and let it sit in the sun for the morning while you put the wall back up. Heats it up nicely. Then its as warm as you can get it when you put it in helping the stretching process. But, I wouldn't try to install it under 50-55 degrees. Do NOT leave the wall and uprights up over the winter without water in your pool. It will blow over or collapse. Although I have moved on from that company, I still have a couple connections. Let me know if you need any help (not physically since I'm in CT).

any good suggestions on where to get a few spare parts for what broke? we need like 4 of the top black plastic curved clips and 1 retainer thing that goes on top of the post....

[marshdrummer]

I know Namco sells those pools. That would be your/best easiest option.

[xrocket21]

Held up pretty good over the winter

[jimmycapp]

omg

[Point37]

Still looks better than mine…wife wanted to put in an intex pipe frame pool (15’ diameter 42” deep)…I said fine but you’re helping me dig it out by hand…cut the grass out last year but didn’t get much farther cause I could care less since there’s a town beach 10 mins away…I should have put a tarp down over the winter to kill the weeds…I dug a trench this past weekend and put a line level on it to see what has to be dug out…have to go down 12”-14” on the high side…probably borrow a level, legs and rod from work when I get it roughly level…planning to leave it up over the winter so I don’t waste the water…does anyone use water trucks for a fill or just use the hose and pay the sewer fee on top of the water?...not sure what's cheaper as i have never looked into a water truck…I wonder how hard it is to convert to salt water




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[marshdrummer]

Converting to salt is easy. There are quite a few options for above ground pools now. More money up front, but you save on chemicals and maintenance on the back end. As for water trucks - be careful. The pressure they shoot the water into the pool is crazy. Try to get the hose in the center to work the water outwards. If it's aimed toward a side, it'll easily displace the liner. The larger the pool, the less you have to worry about. Not sure if it's cheaper, but def more to worry about.

[Point37]

Converting to salt is easy. There are quite a few options for above ground pools now. More money up front, but you save on chemicals and maintenance on the back end. As for water trucks - be careful. The pressure they shoot the water into the pool is crazy. Try to get the hose in the center to work the water outwards. If it's aimed toward a side, it'll easily displace the liner. The larger the pool, the less you have to worry about. Not sure if it's cheaper, but def more to worry about.

thanks...she already bought the pool...it's just sitting in the basement at the moment...the liner is the side of the pool and is attached to the supports/tubing i believe...any good resources for salt water conversion?...i assume i will need a new pump and a salt water generator...i have seen some on amazon...

this is the pool...3861 gal...
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Intex-Pr...23EH/310268702

salt water generator for up to 7000 gal...not sure what size pump i would have to pair it with...will have to do some reading...
https://a.co/d/gVDbGtS

[xrocket21]

omg

lol, shits fucked