Installing Intex Ultra Frame Pool

by Christina
(North Carolina)

We just finished leveling our ground to install the pool and ended up having to dig down as little as 1 inch and up to 6 inches into the ground around the pool. Is this OK and what is the best material to use to backfill this area? Also, we have very poor drainage in this area, what can we do to fix that? Also, do we have to put down the pool ground cover? We think this may cause even worse drainage issues. Thank you!

Hi Christina.

It looks like you have done an excellent job of leveling the pool area. Judging from what I see in the photos I think the ground cover would be completely optional. I think it would be just fine without it.

You outside the pool landscaping should focus on keeping all the sand intact, and not letting it wash out causing the pool to shift. You might try laying plastic around the pool and over the sand. Over the plastic you could use river rock or decorative stone.

The combination of the plastic and the stone would allow the water to run off around the pool. This should protect the pool and the sand around the pool.

You will probably want to install a little edging around the area also. This would help separate the grass from the landscaping and would make mowing and edging easier.

Intex Install Issues

by Robbie
(Jacksonville, Fl)

I had someone clear out the space for the pool but the irrigation pipes were in the way of him making it deep enough to be level. Close to my house I'm level, then back of pool I'm about 6" low and need to raise the ground. I tamped the whole soil flat and dumped 2 1/2 yards of mason sand because I been reading that it would be best. I raised up and leveled each 16" paver, 16 of them, with the mason sand and all is level. Do you think that will work or can I put soil around each paver, or a better way to do this so it doesn't collapse? Or do I need to take every paver off and remove sand and fill with soil and tap it down and us only 2" of mason sand on bottom. Next, can I go from top paver to middle with a slope or that has to be even with pavers. I'm trying so hard not to have to buy more stuff but I want it to last too?

Hi Robbie.

Raising a pool area with sand is never a good idea. I would remove the sand and the blocks. Like you said, I would then level with dirt and pack.

The blocks need to be recessed into the ground so the tops are ground level. The ground between the blocks should be the same height as the tops of the blocks. This makes everything level.

Intex Metal Frame Pool

Intex does not recommend using sand to level a pool. Elsewhere in this post reference is made to using patio blocks to level. I made a treated wood box to contain leveling material since I am off almost 4 inches in the one corner. Other brands seem to actually recommend using sand. I wonder if sand packs when contained in a box. It would not be like setting it up on a beach. Comments anyone? Thanks in advance.

Hi.

I treat Intex metal frame pools much like I do steel wall above ground pools. I level the ground and pack it solid. I use a laser transit and make sure the area is perfectly level. For an Intex pool I would then spread out a thin layer of mortar sand. The sand is just to finish smoothing the dirt and to give the pool a softer base than the dirt would provide. So by using sand the pool should be smoother and softer on the bottom. This is much easier to clean and feels good on your feet.

Your framed box idea is great. It would probably work just fine if all you used was sand, but it would work so much better if you level with something that will pack solid, like crushed granite, or maybe just your existing dirt.

Once the area is level and packed you can then bring in a couple inches of sand. That would make an excellent base for your Intex frame pool.

Intex Ultra Frame Pool on a Concrete Pad

by Dan
(Northwest Indiana)

I set my Intex Ultra Frame pool (18' x 52") on a concrete pad in my yard. The previous owner used it as a basketball court and it seemed pretty level to me. I screwed up by not doing my due diligence and doing some more measuring. I set the pool up and it ended up being uneven by a couple inches, so I'm draining it to start over. Do you have a recommendation when it comes to leveling on concrete? I've read some places that sand isn't recommended for frame pools, but is there a safe way to do it? Is there a better method for this? Or is it just a bad idea altogether to try to put a frame pool on a slightly uneven concrete pad?

Hi Dan

A couple of inches is not that bad, you might consider leaving it. We install all our Intex pools on sand, that is not a problem. The problem is keeping the sand in place. you would need some kind of frame around the concrete to prevent all the sand from washing out.

Installing Intex pool on uneven concrete!

by Rene'
(WA)

Hi, We will be installing our 22'x52" Intex pool on our concrete driveway. It has a slope difference of 1 1/2" - 2". I plan on using pavers and shingles to level it. My question is, I understand that this will make the frame level, but since this type of pool doesn't have sides, do we need to put sand under it to make the liner bottom level, as it will be sitting below the foot of the uprights? If we don't do that will it bulge out on the bottom?

Thank you for your time!

Rene'

Hi Rene'

Yes, if you don't do that you will have problems. The blocks under the uprights need to all be the same level that the pool liner sits on.