Changing Size Of An Above Ground Pool

by Lynda
(Port Colborne Ont Canada)

I had a 24 ft round pool given to me but it is too big for our yard. Can I cut it down to an 18 ft or 15 ft, or even a 12 ft?

I was thinking of getting rid of some track and cutting the steel.

Hi Lynda.

Pools can be cut down as long as you can find new bottom tracking. As the pool size changes so does the arc in the bottom rails. An 18' bottom rail will have a much tighter curve than a 24' pool.

If you can replace the bottom rail it can be done. You want the measurement to be as close to 15' or 18' as possible. Use a center point and set the rails using a radius. An 18' pool needs to have each rail set at 9' from the center point. This is shown on my above ground pool installation page.

Above Ground Swimming Pool Installation

The wall should be overlapped by about six inches and then cut off. I use a double row of nuts and bolts to secure the wall. When using bare metal, without a hem, one row of bolts would not be enough, I always drill two sets of holes.

Your top rails will not fit the same either. The length of them should be fine but they will arc differently so they will need new holes. Many rails have several sets of holes for the different size pools. If that's the case with yours it is pretty easy to find a set of holes that fit the new pool size. If they just have one set of holes you will need to drill new ones.

24' Foot Pool to 18' Pool

by Stacy
(Schenectady NY)

I have a 24' foot metal pool that I want to make a 18'. My question is, is this possible? I do know that I will need a new liner.

Hi Stacy.

It is possible, see the above post for more info.