just started fillin my Intex Pool...

[gemjoy]

Can anyone tell me if you've had problems with these? I've read good and bad but it seems they've come a long way from what I understand. We put it up yesterday - it's the metal frame Intex 16x48. My biggest fear is that the ground isn't *perfectly*level. But it is pretty darn flat and the website says not to use sand to level the area you are using. One of my coworkers has one and she said as long as you don't put it on an obvious downgrade or hill you should be fine? Anyone?

 

[Aliceacc]

WE had one of the inflatable ring ones for years. It was the best $150 I ever spent-- we got 4 summers from that pool!!!

We didn't use any sand or anything and were fine. When we upgraded to a "real" 4' pool, the installers did level the ground and use some sand, so I imagine the original terrain wasn't quite level to begin with.

I'm guessing you'll be fine... enjoy!!

 

[gemjoy]

Thank you! It's so nice to be reassured... my biggest worry is having to drain it and start over! It was quite a process getting the thing all set up and now finally filling it and two kids asking "when can we swim"? Thanks again for the positive comments!

 

[Aliceacc]

It may be too late, but...

Be SURE there are no sharp rocks or anything underneath. (If you have the guts and the water isn't too deep yet, go out barefooted and check by walking around inside the pool.

Aside from the harm it will do to the liner, it's brutal to find under a ton of water.

Your kids are going to LOVE that pool!!!

Also, hit Walmart (or Island Rec if by any chance there's one nearby) for some cheap goggles and rings. I always stock up early in the summer. I went to StarTrax http://www.pagelinx.com/cgi-shopper...t_number=21&records_in_row=3&records_in_row=3 the other day and got 2 dozen goggles for $12.

 

[powellrj]

we put up one last year and had a great time! Several of our neighbors have professionally installed pools so we assumed that we would be the only ones who enjoyed our pool. We were wrong. The neighbor kids loved it. It was small enough that they could really splash and play in it without being all spread out. Water guns were a huge hit!

We haven't had time this summer to put it back up, but I hope to soon because I miss it!

Ours wasn't 100% level so it leaned a little on one side. We didn't put sand or anything under it. We use to have a huge in-ground pool about 20 years ago and it was way too much work for no longer than you get to use it in Indiana, so this was great!

 

[gemjoy]

It may be too late, but...

Be SURE there are no sharp rocks or anything underneath. (If you have the guts and the water isn't too deep yet, go out barefooted and check by walking around inside the pool.

Aside from the harm it will do to the liner, it's brutal to find under a ton of water.

Your kids are going to LOVE that pool!!!

Oh I checked it all over before we put it down! We also put a large blue mat (that came with the pool) underneath for extra protection. I'm so excited and worried at the same time. It's hard to believe that a put up/take down metal frame pool can hold 6,500 gallons of water. I need to relax! I think I'll take your advice and go get some fun pool toys to take my mind off of it!

 

[gemjoy]

Ours wasn't 100% level so it leaned a little on one side. We didn't put sand or anything under it. We use to have a huge in-ground pool about 20 years ago and it was way too much work for no longer than you get to use it in Indiana, so this was great!

Good to hear! Like I said... I don't think ours is 100% level ~ but it's also not on a slope or hill ~ I'm crossing my fingers! So far, it looks pretty good.

 

[gemjoy]

Okay.. I just checked it and I'm freaking out. There is only about four inches of water in it so far but it's mainly on one side DH says its too early and I should let it fill for a few hours - he says it'll be fine. "do you know how many people have these pools that pop them up on totally uneven land!?" Ours isn't bad at all - at a glance it's pretty darn even, but perfectly even? NO. I'm flipping. HELP! I don't care if the water level is a little off as long as the pool doesn't collapse!!!

 

[Aliceacc]

It will be fine!!!!

 

[gemjoy]

It will be fine!!!!

You're my support today Aliceacc!!! Thanks! I'm going to get myself a cool noodle for the pool and perhaps a floating cooler for the beverage I'll need when this is all over!

 

[Aliceacc]

You are going to LOVE having that pool!!!

Forget the kids; it's a lifesaver during those hot, hazy humid days of summer! There's nothing like a dip after dinner!!!

And another huge plus... you know exactly where your kids are all summer (half the neighborhood too, but that's OK)

Some more suggestions-- get a tupperware kind of bin to use as a footbath. You'll find a lot less debris in the pool if the kids step in the footbath before they get onto the ladder.

Also, I don't know how old your kids are, but this has been our rule forever: our youngest HAS to have a lifevest on anytime the pool ladder is down (or, back to our Intex days-- anytime she's in the yard when the pool is set up.) That way, should one of the others fall off a bike and need stitches or something, I have a momentary hedge against a crisis. Kira doesn't even question it; if that pool ladder is down, the first thing she does is put on the lifevest. She's a decent enough swimmer, but still needs supervision.

Let's see, what else? I have a big rubbermaid bin in the dining room for towels (tells you a bit about how our house operates.) I learned early on that it was a whole lot easier than going upstairs to the linen closet everytime someone wanted to swim. (Each winter, that same spot is taken by a bin full of mittens and hats.)

How's the water level looking??

 

[pumba]

we just put ours up Friday and the water temp is still like 66.....frozen .....but we can wait for the water to warm up......we had our first one for four years and then this one is on the third year.......we love it and the kids love it...so easy to maintain too....need to go and get more chlorine

 

[LOVEDISNEYLAND]

Our pool is 15 by 48 and it to, is also metal frame. We put tons of sand under ours, then the protective liner on top of the sand, went to Lowes and bought a HUGE piece of foam and then placed that on top of the liner that goes under the pool it self. It has held up great! Mostly, the foam feels so good on your feet while your in the pool. Hope you enjoy because it sure is a life saver on those hot days!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Want some company?

 

[gemjoy]

Want some company?

Sure!!! He's a cutie!
Okay ~ thank you everyone for the positive comments and suggestions!!!
Pool is about five inches from being full!!! and it's looking good. We've got the pump running and the chlorine should have it sparkling by morning!!! The water level is about two and a half inches lower on one side but from what I've been told... thats no biggie
I'm so excited and can't wait to swim in our new pool!!! Thanks everyone! I was so nervous about it being level or springing a leak I couldn't relax and now that it's almost full - I'm feeling much more relaxed.
BTW... has anyone ever had a seam start to "sweat" a bit? I checked all the seams and they look fine - but I've heard they sometimes do and it's fine.

 

[Aliceacc]

So........... How's it going???

 

[NikiM20]

morning!!! The water level is about two and a half inches lower on one side but from what I've been told... thats no biggie

Now you have a "deep" end