awesome tip on the leveling trick! We, too, were just thinking way too hard. We are going to use a little bit of sand, mostly because our ground is very rocky. Thanks again!
My man! Getting ready to setup my second one tomorrow and that paver to paver level tip is gonna be a life saver. I set one up years ago and it was off by 3". I was dreading the setup until I watched this.
That's genius! I've been having trouble figuring out how to level my 16' pool & I bought those same stones for the legs.. I'm going to give it a go.. thanks! Edit* It worked PERFECTLY! I put $150 of workout padding down underneath & it feels nice on the feet. The block to block leveling is the best & easiest solution though. It makes total sense because if the stones are exactly even, the top ring will be completely level. Thanks again!
Great video and good job. We have leveled the ground with sand as best as we could using a 2×4 and level but were trying to find the best way to level it as perfectly as possible because the 2×4 method is only as good as the center point and can be faulty. This idea is awesome for this type of pool being that the feet need a solid foundation that won't sink into the ground at different locations depending on each post's weight load and varying degrees of soil/sand compaction. I will say though from past experience you should get those wrinkles out of the bottom because when you use the manual pool vacuums, they will catch on and scrape the high spots which lead to holes in the liner. This will also happen if there are indentations in the bottom from foot prints left during installation and while filling the pool and uneven soil compaction. Green algae settles in the indentations and the vacuum edges scrape the edges around the hole. We had hundreds of microscopic pin holes in the bottom that were impossible to find and patch due to a coarser grade of sand. I'm going to get a ground pad this time around to prevent all this. Thanks for the great video.
Fantastic video this is the exact issue I’m having with my pool!! Once summer is finished here in Australia I’m going to fix my stones I rushed into it next time I’ll take my time!! Thanks for these tips
You have got to be kidding me. I have been having such a tough time leveling my backyard for our pool. It’s our first pool, and it’s the same size as yours, so big. So we don’t want to mess it up and my dirt is quite rocky in places. I gotta show my wife this video. I think you’ve saved us a ton of time.
Used your suggestion of adding pavers. Was a bit worried about the liner rubbing them though. Ended up using some foam pipe insulation on the edges and seems to work well.
Thank you so much Paul. We have a 15' pool and about 4" slope and I'm only putting up for the next 3 months, so this gave me some hope in which I can prep more before next summer and just get the blocks and level the blocks. I've watched dozens of videos and this was the only one that even mentioned this tip.
Wow! Thanks so much for making this video. This is great advice! I'm getting ready to level the yard for our 8x16 Intex, this makes me feel a lot more confident regarding the easiest way to do it.
@Leah Watts lasted 3 years before the frame rusted out. I purchased another frame and used the same liner. Been 3 years now. Going fine. I was much more careful the second time around. Any little scratch you get in the frame is an invitation for rust. Plus, being in massachusetts and using a salt water chlorine system, is tough on it.
Great tips Paul! I enjoyed my first pool this year which was an 8' x 24" Intex easy set for $39. Was a great first pool since I had no experience with pools and wasn't sure how much use it would get. I didn't level the area of course for such a small pool, but it was obvious the pool wasn't level. As much as my tiny pool was used this year, I started searching for an upgrade. Thankfully, I stumbled across an Intex pool 22' x 52" lightly used at a moving sale for $100 two weeks ago. I started searching for tips on how to level the ground. Your video has helped me tremendously! Two days ago I started leveling out my very unlevel, yet thankfully sandy yard, and you're absolutely correct...the key is to set your blocks for the legs and make sure they're level all the way around. At first I leveled out the area for the underside of the pool...or at least thought it was level, but when I set my blocks afterward, I found just how unlevel my ground was under the pool area. If you have a very sloped yard like mine. I would definitely suggest starting out on the low end of the yard, then working your way around with the block leveling. This will aid in less blocks to purchase, and also ensure on a firm packed surface by digging down into the soil, instead of having to add more dirt or loose sand to build up to level. I haven't yet finished the entire pool set-up, but focusing on the perimeter blocks really helps!
We had one of these and the same size except it was Intex. Lasted 7 years and we loved it. Now we just bought the aluminum 24 foot 54 in deep pool from a company. We are excited.
@@paullywalnutz Yes I absolutely agree. We even left our out over winter and still was fine. We took pretty good care of it. It definitely served it purpose. :)
When i was 1st setting up 18 x 4. Coleman i put blocks under each leg. But discovered it threw the ladder clearance. ( It was slightly short and didnt clear the top rail) so i was afraid it would throw off the liner and perhaps over stress the frame as well. I removed the blocks, the ladder cleared, the liner bottom edge was all the way around was uniform with only minor shimming needed. I used the level on the top rail from the center to the next one in center to check. Sorta catycornered. Keep in mind the outside edge maybe level but the center ground could still be off. If center is level or slightly uniformly lower like a contoured bowl itll be ok. Good info sir.
Good job, and great looking pool. We wanted to get an inground pool but after reading reviews of all pool companies in my area, we decided to not go that route because of negative reviews and the price.
Omg eureka! I have watch a ton of videos..my man and kids are lazy and im stressing about digging up the grass and leveling all the sand myself..im a 62 yr old female with health issues.. Now this I can do.. Who needs help? Not me I can get it level this way...Oh you just saved me weeks worth of work.. 😂
Bingo! I’ve been researching for a couple of days I think you have posted my solution! And I have those bricks too I kid you not. Anyway your pool looks lovely and don’t be a perfectionist about wrinkles on the floor. You do however have a friendly looking frog floating around the top. Thank you so much! 🐸🐸🐸
wow! thanks for the tip on leveling the pool. I told my husband about it. We will be installing a pool this week and I have been trying to find a way to level out the pool easier than what I've seen. We have a 24' pool that came from a pool place but it needs a liner and is 9 years old so I think we are just going to grab a pool like this from walmart and add the skimmer and pump, if i can, from the old pool setup.
Great information, just left the pool store the woman there informed me after putting the shock if if it’s turns green or brown that is a indication of trace metals present.
Hi Pete followed your instructions and hire someone to level the ground this weekend amd put up the pool myself. Got the pavers and my pool was pretty leveled I would say may an inch to an inch and a half but pretty good thanks your videos rock.
Excellent job! I just purchased the the 18 ft version of this pool and I'm tryt to make sure I get the ground level before I put the pool up that's a lot of water to spill over if I don't get it right! I have excess to plenty of sand should I need it! I will for be using the concrete pavers
We put our intex round pool up last year and it was off by a couple inches for leveling. We took it down after summer and now I am going regrade the ground and put pool back up for good. Leveling is a pain, but it needs to be done right down safety. Enjoy
Just tried this after nearly giving up. Was WAY easier than anything else I tried. When we put the liner in the legs didn’t quit match up to stones anymore. I did use the 4x8 stones so don’t take that shortcut! But it’s still measuring level. It’s filling with water now. Fingers crossed. 🤞
Great video. Thank you. I had a professional install but I think you did a better job. I have a little deck attached and a candy cane ladder. It is a lot of upkeep, but worth it. I get my exercise, trust me. Also, I have little folds here and there. It's really insignificant. Thanks again. I am looking for the pump reconnect. I'm going to copy yours. Great job.
WHOA! so if I am understanding correctly... you dont have to be concerned with leveling the ground underneath the pool but rather that all the posts are level with each other. this is huge. in the past I have had the intex with the blue ring at top and it was a HUGE PITA. had to make sure the entire underneath is level.
Great video! Followed your instructions my 22 x 52 pool is very leveled. I also installed the Hayward wide mouth skimmer and going to do a complete tutorial video.
Thomas Rivera that’s fantastic! Glad the video helped you. The skimmer was easy but a little scary cutting into the side of a brand new pool. Looking forward to seeing your video.
Wow...get out of my head! We had the 14 x 42 last year and we all loved it so much....We bought it spontaneously after it was put on clearance at walmart (intex ultra frame) for $180. we didnt level it either, in fact, I was on night shift rotation and set it up over night to surprise the kids next morning. We took it down and it was damaged from being not level and one of the pavers i used shifted and wore a hole in the liner. I have been searching for a bigger and better pool because we all just loved it. My back yard is over an acre and faces west so from like 0900 until dark, Its a solid swim day. I live in Louisiana so it stayed up until October. Anyway...I just found an intex 22 x 52 for $330 new so I am stoked. I set aside about $1500 this year for the pool so I will use the remaining $$ for lumber, beer, and maybe a couple boxes of Arturo Fuentes. Thanks for sharing!
Small rounds would work also,however since the pool feet has a flat side that goes toward the pool and they should be back away from the liner you may not get enough surface area for the foot. I used 7 "x 11" pavers. Either way you want to keep the edge of the blocks back from touching the liner. I packed sand in front of the pads to protect the liner as well as 9 mil plastic sheeting.
Hi. Excellent video thank you so much. May I plz ask...when u leveled your pool initially did u remove your grass with a sod cutter and then try n eyeball to level? Once u do that then u level each cement clock? Is that how it works. Plz help. Thank u so much
2466shan... I actually bought the old lady stairs that cost over $200... sigh... here's the thing... as soon as I went online and found a platform for around $20 or so for the top of the original ladder, it solved the stability problem with the ladder.. now, I have the stairs for when I'm REALLY old..
I used a similar concept. setup 12x12 pavers.. however one side of the pool the paver is too far underneath the liner. so now its starting to tear the liner!! I need to jack up the pool and pull the paver out so it doesn't cause extra damage.
Great tip! I'm seeing mine up this weekend, I did have a question though. The stones didn't puncture the lining being that they have sharp corners? Thank you sir.
I am wanting to add akimmer system to my pool that I am going to get witch is going to be a 26 x 52, I have a rectangular pool that I have had for 5 years and I bought a pool swiper but it won't work with the set up that I have and I also wanted to buy a new pool that is round question is how do I cut the pool to fit the new skimmer your videos have helped in my next set up. thank you
tabitha speck glad my videos have been helpful! I used a razor knife to cut the liner. Kind of scary at first but it worked fine. I traced the outline of the skimmer onto the outside of the liner with a marker and cut it. I’ve also seen people install the skinner and then just cut out the liner.
tabitha speck I bought one called the heritage wide mouth pool skimmer at Walmart.com. Not sure if it’s still available but it was only $40 and worked very well.
Cut and install skimmer.... Mind Blown!!! Next year this is happening. I have this junk over the wall skimmer.... it works... But no where near the effectiveness of a through the wall. Too Awesome!!!
Very helpful video...thanks! We just bought the same pool and hope to have it delivered by tomorrow. We'd like to set ours up just like yours and want to get a jump start on the other parts we need. Can you please let us know the models of your saltwater system, filter and skimmer. Just want to make sure we select the right one since they come in different varieties. Thanks in advance!!!
Hey there- how do you know what upgraded kind of pump you can use? I have an 18ft summer waves elite frame pool and I’m a total newbie. I will definitely be using your stone leveling trick and we will be putting some sand underneath. I’ve heard these pumps stop working and definitely want a preventative plan. Thanks!
Generally best to figure out how many gallons of water your pool holds and then get a pump that’s rated to circulate that many gallons within 3-4 hours. That will keep your pool clean without having to run the pump constantly. For instance, if a pool has 10000 gallons you would want something rated for at least 2500 GPH. That would technically circulate all of your water in 4 hours.
Question: You stated that you knew the distance between your support poles so you could insert the pavers, that’s helpful. But how did you measure to get the angle since the pool curves slightly all the way around? Did you set up the pool frame to get the exact measurements? Great video!!
kcewilson thanks for the comment! I measured the circumference by measuring 11 feet from center. 22 feet total. Use a chalk line or marking paint to Mark the area.
We have this size pool with 16 inch intex sand filter and wide mouth Hayward skimmer. Not getting good suction and such with skimmer. Don’t know what to do. Any pointers would be appreciated.
My Backyard has slops down to building but water cross away from middle part of backyard is down 8". Can i leveling with rubber mulch at middle to refill 8" on top of grass or need to remove all grass out and put rubber before leveling?
Nayara Story don’t put rubber mulch under the pool. That will destroy the liner. I only put the mulch around the outside of the pool as decoration. You need to remove all grass and make sure there are no rocks or stones where you intend to set up the pool. Some people use sand.
@@paullywalnutz Thank you So much for quick reply. Just wanted to know, must need ground leveling by removing high label soil or can refill sand in middle of the part of ground is up to 8" deep to drain water because my ground is quite sloop and hard to leveling.
Awesome video. I've put up hard side pools and it's the same principal. My question is the quality of the pool. I see people getting rid of them and wonder what the wear time is for them. Can you provide any help/information on this?
@@paullywalnutz I am questioning more of the quality of the material of the product. How does it hold up? Does it do well in the winter months. I've seen so many of them just ripped down and basically given away.
@@sarahmangone7785 gotcha. I had mine up for 3 years. Through the winter as well. The frame had rusted so I took it down, got a new frame and put it up with the same liner material. I never had a single rip or failure of the pool liner itself. Of course, that’s just my experience. But the frame definitely seems to be the weak link. I did discover that some rustoleum paint does wonders to extend the life of the frame if you catch it quick enough.
Paul,excellent video,i have a 18 x 52 intex pool,it sits on a cement slab, there is a four inch difference from top to bottom on the slab,this is my sixth year on the slab,do you think your method would work to raise the pool four inches on the low end,i tried sand one time on the low end,a wast of sand and it did not work ,any suggestions ?
I have this same pool. Bought it last year. Didn't level it at all. I put it together by myself and two small kids. It was windy too. It was a mess and very hard took me hours to set up. Going on yr number 2 with this pool. In the process of draining, cleaning and then refilling. Also don't bother with the cover that comes with the pool it's junk learned the hard way when I cleaned it out. Now I wish I knew how to more my pool so I could level it better. I like your idea but the pool will rub against the stones and rip it.
kassia bolden can be tough to set up when it’s windy. Just helped my brother set his up on a windy day. I have never drained mine. I treat it like a regular pool. I winterize it before closing it and then follow the opening process in the spring. Always comes back fantastically. I’ve seen a lot of comments regarding the stones. Mine is going on 3 years including 2 harsh New England winters and is doing just fine. Best of luck with yours! We really enjoy ours.
yes. i still worked to level the ground beneath the pool itself. I just eye balled it. I didn't get it machine leveled. You would have to at least do that much.
Something you could try for the wrinkles on the bottom..... BUT BE careful!!!! I had to move around my liner a little to flatten out some rocks that worked their way up. I used the vacuum hose and suctioned the liner up a little at a time and was able to level it out. I would just briefly slide or tap the bottom of the liner, which would lift up a little at a time as I moved the rock. Be careful !!!! Don't rip your liner, I don't know if it would even work to take out wrinkles. I just know what you mean when you say it is impossible to move the liner even with only 4 inches of water. That being said, we do have a full on-ground pool with a 1hp pump that has tons of suction.
Great Video Paul thank you for your time. Could you share your model number of the pumps you upgraded as well as the saltwater generator you purchased? I would like to upgrade to salt as well? Thank you so much for your help!
Thanks Marisa! unfortunately, both the pump and saltwater chlorinator i used are no longer available. i will link some good alternatives for you. Very similar. www.walmart.com/ip/Intex-Krystal-Clear-Sand-Filter-Pump-for-Above-Ground-Pools-3000-GPH-Pump-Flow-Rate-110-120V-with-GFCI/34335817 www.walmart.com/ip/Intex-120V-Krystal-Clear-Saltwater-Pool-Chlorinator-Wall-Mount-Surface-Skimmer/411472134 this chlorinator comes with a surface skimmer as well.
Does the pool not lay against the pavers? I would be concerned that it would cut the liner. I'm getting ready to set one up and I love the idea of the pavers. We've got sand in place, ready to spread and level. I bought an extra tarp as well as the ground cloth they supply. Thanks for the video and any extra advice.
Theresa Johnson it does lay against the pavers... but with 2 tarps between them I haven't had a problem. Hoping I never do! It's even stayed up through a winter.
Paul DeSousa, ok great! I plan on leaving it up, and building a deck next year. I'm definitely gonna buy a larger pump and salt water system as well. Again, thanks for the video, the extra info, and the quick response!
woodsman4cb thanks for the comment. I believe it was 50lbs of salt. It’s been a while. I no longer run my pool on salt water. The amount you need will vary based on the water’s starting chemistry and the amount of water. The important thing is to get it to the correct ppm for whatever salt water generator you purchased. The directions will tell you what you need
Great video. In the process of leveling now. I noticed you just said you stopped using salt. I was thinking of getting the salt generator. Why did you switch? I was told it was both easier and cheaper. Was that not your experience?
Mr5ofus i loves it at first but then let it lapse for a year because my salt water generator broke and used regular chemicals. I found it to be easier! My girls miss the lack of chlorine smell but it doesn’t keep them from swimming!
One question, I have the 18x48 Coleman pool and for the filter pump it says the cord is a GFCI and we need to plug it into an actual outlet. However, there is no outlet in our yard. We're probably going to end up using an extension cord. I was wondering if you had the same situation and if you recommend using an extension cord. Thank you.
Paul DeSousa Oh ok, thank you. We've been confused for the past couple days on what to do and now we're going to use a husky brand 12 gauge outdoor extension cord for it. Hopefully nothing happens, thanks again.
Really enjoyed your leveling video. We will be replacing our Intex pool this season, thought we might try the paver method for leveling. However, one concern is the liner rubbing up against the brick pavers, possibly puncturing the liner. Have experienced any problem with that happening? Appreciate any comment you could share.
Carole Wright thanks for the feedback! I haven’t had any problem with the liner and the pavers. Not sure if I’m just lucky or not. I was very careful to make sure the tarp was between the liner and the stones for an extra layer of protection. I also have seen other people use a piece of vinyl tile as a barrier. Best of luck!
I’ve read elsewhere that you should dig below the pavers so the top of the pavers are even with the ground around it. That should help keep the liner from rubbing against the pavers.
So you only worried about the ground under the stones? As long as it was level you were good? My yard is pretty flat but I was off a few inches to where it was noticeable.
Anthony C. Exactly. I did my best to level out the ground where the actual pool goes but didn’t worry about making it perfect. It was off by 2-3 inches in places. But the stones being level made it work fine.
Just wondering how much sod cutting / dirt removing you did before it became an acceptable level of 'level' to lay out the pool and start laying the stones? Thanks
Scott Corbin thanks for the question. For my it was just removing the sod and then raking the area smooth. I also removed any stones in the area. I didn’t remove or add any dirt. I just moved it around to get fairly level. Of course, if the spot you pick is off by several inches, you’ll have to do more work to get it to an acceptable point before starting to set up the pool.
My thing is not wanting to remove the sod. I wonder if I could get away with doing the pavers like you did, and ysing a tarp and pool pad over the ground and just letting the grass die. Any feedback on that? Thank you!
thanks for the video. very very helpful. i have a sort of silly question. is the frame measurement exactly 22 feet across ? or should i set up frame first then set blocks for feet? in my mind the blocks would be off set a half inch from the 22 ft mark
I would definitely stet it up and set the blocks based on that. Takes a little more time but saves you in the other side because you won’t be moving blocks.
I am waiting for 26'x52" round intex pool to be delivered. I was told to level with sand, so I did, but I realize sand shifts. I have a 4 inch slope in my yard. I have plenty of sand ordered 10 square yards. I'm wondering if using pavers to build a sort of retaining wall to set the legs on and leveling the sand with those would work??? I am more concerned about this being such a large pool on a 4 inch slope.
Adam Gardner I don’t blame you for being nervous. That’s a LOT of weight being placed in that area. That’s a bit beyond my realm... might want to seek a pro in your area.
awesome tip on the leveling trick! We, too, were just thinking way too hard. We are going to use a little bit of sand, mostly because our ground is very rocky. Thanks again!
My man! Getting ready to setup my second one tomorrow and that paver to paver level tip is gonna be a life saver. I set one up years ago and it was off by 3". I was dreading the setup until I watched this.
Well I filled it up last night and it was off...by 1/8". So as far as I'm concerned that's dead nuts level, lol.
That's genius! I've been having trouble figuring out how to level my 16' pool & I bought those same stones for the legs.. I'm going to give it a go.. thanks!
Edit* It worked PERFECTLY! I put $150 of workout padding down underneath & it feels nice on the feet. The block to block leveling is the best & easiest solution though. It makes total sense because if the stones are exactly even, the top ring will be completely level. Thanks again!
Great video and good job. We have leveled the ground with sand as best as we could using a 2×4 and level but were trying to find the best way to level it as perfectly as possible because the 2×4 method is only as good as the center point and can be faulty. This idea is awesome for this type of pool being that the feet need a solid foundation that won't sink into the ground at different locations depending on each post's weight load and varying degrees of soil/sand compaction. I will say though from past experience you should get those wrinkles out of the bottom because when you use the manual pool vacuums, they will catch on and scrape the high spots which lead to holes in the liner. This will also happen if there are indentations in the bottom from foot prints left during installation and while filling the pool and uneven soil compaction. Green algae settles in the indentations and the vacuum edges scrape the edges around the hole. We had hundreds of microscopic pin holes in the bottom that were impossible to find and patch due to a coarser grade of sand. I'm going to get a ground pad this time around to prevent all this. Thanks for the great video.
Fantastic video this is the exact issue I’m having with my pool!! Once summer is finished here in Australia I’m going to fix my stones I rushed into it next time I’ll take my time!! Thanks for these tips
You have got to be kidding me. I have been having such a tough time leveling my backyard for our pool. It’s our first pool, and it’s the same size as yours, so big. So we don’t want to mess it up and my dirt is quite rocky in places. I gotta show my wife this video. I think you’ve saved us a ton of time.
Wish i had seen your videos a week ago. Very informative. Thanks for sharing with us pool virgins.
Used your suggestion of adding pavers. Was a bit worried about the liner rubbing them though. Ended up using some foam pipe insulation on the edges and seems to work well.
zmann42 THATs a great solution! Thanks for the comment.
Thank you so much Paul. We have a 15' pool and about 4" slope and I'm only putting up for the next 3 months, so this gave me some hope in which I can prep more before next summer and just get the blocks and level the blocks. I've watched dozens of videos and this was the only one that even mentioned this tip.
Jonathan H you’re welcome! All the best luck with your pool. They’re a pain... but SOOOO worth it. Lol
I'm legit on the same boat. I'm going to give this a shot.
Wow! Thanks so much for making this video. This is great advice! I'm getting ready to level the yard for our 8x16 Intex, this makes me feel a lot more confident regarding the easiest way to do it.
Getting ready to set ours up so I was really glad to see how you did yours. It sounds WAY easier than what we were planning 😜.
Katalin Mason I hope it helps!! We were prepared to do all kinds of crazy things and spend a TON of money. This was so much better. Good luck!
@Leah Watts lasted 3 years before the frame rusted out. I purchased another frame and used the same liner. Been 3 years now. Going fine. I was much more careful the second time around. Any little scratch you get in the frame is an invitation for rust. Plus, being in massachusetts and using a salt water chlorine system, is tough on it.
Great tips Paul! I enjoyed my first pool this year which was an 8' x 24" Intex easy set for $39. Was a great first pool since I had no experience with pools and wasn't sure how much use it would get. I didn't level the area of course for such a small pool, but it was obvious the pool wasn't level. As much as my tiny pool was used this year, I started searching for an upgrade. Thankfully, I stumbled across an Intex pool 22' x 52" lightly used at a moving sale for $100 two weeks ago. I started searching for tips on how to level the ground. Your video has helped me tremendously! Two days ago I started leveling out my very unlevel, yet thankfully sandy yard, and you're absolutely correct...the key is to set your blocks for the legs and make sure they're level all the way around. At first I leveled out the area for the underside of the pool...or at least thought it was level, but when I set my blocks afterward, I found just how unlevel my ground was under the pool area. If you have a very sloped yard like mine. I would definitely suggest starting out on the low end of the yard, then working your way around with the block leveling. This will aid in less blocks to purchase, and also ensure on a firm packed surface by digging down into the soil, instead of having to add more dirt or loose sand to build up to level. I haven't yet finished the entire pool set-up, but focusing on the perimeter blocks really helps!
Thank you so much for the tips!!! It really helps!
Best explanation of how to level out one of these pools. Thanks for sharing
Thank you!!! You just saved me from literally saved me from running my brain in circles
The liner doesn’t rub against the footers that are above grade?
And what size stones are they
I loved this video! I have this exact pool and was going to get equipment and sand.
We had one of these and the same size except it was Intex. Lasted 7 years and we loved it. Now we just bought the aluminum 24 foot 54 in deep pool from a company. We are excited.
They are great pools if you know how to take care of them.!
@@paullywalnutz Yes I absolutely agree. We even left our out over winter and still was fine. We took pretty good care of it. It definitely served it purpose. :)
When i was 1st setting up 18 x 4. Coleman i put blocks under each leg. But discovered it threw the ladder clearance. ( It was slightly short and didnt clear the top rail) so i was afraid it would throw off the liner and perhaps over stress the frame as well. I removed the blocks, the ladder cleared, the liner bottom edge was all the way around was uniform with only minor shimming needed. I used the level on the top rail from the center to the next one in center to check. Sorta catycornered. Keep in mind the outside edge maybe level but the center ground could still be off. If center is level or slightly uniformly lower like a contoured bowl itll be ok. Good info sir.
Good job, and great looking pool. We wanted to get an inground pool but after reading reviews of all pool companies in my area, we decided to not go that route because of negative reviews and the price.
It's definitely not for everybody! I hope whatever you go with brings you joy
Omg eureka! I have watch a ton of videos..my man and kids are lazy and im stressing about digging up the grass and leveling all the sand myself..im a 62 yr old female with health issues.. Now this I can do.. Who needs help? Not me I can get it level this way...Oh you just saved me weeks worth of work.. 😂
Bingo! I’ve been researching for a couple of days I think you have posted my solution! And I have those bricks too I kid you not. Anyway your pool looks lovely and don’t be a perfectionist about wrinkles on the floor. You do however have a friendly looking frog floating around the top. Thank you so much! 🐸🐸🐸
wow! thanks for the tip on leveling the pool. I told my husband about it. We will be installing a pool this week and I have been trying to find a way to level out the pool easier than what I've seen. We have a 24' pool that came from a pool place but it needs a liner and is 9 years old so I think we are just going to grab a pool like this from walmart and add the skimmer and pump, if i can, from the old pool setup.
Great information, just left the pool store the woman there informed me after putting the shock if if it’s turns green or brown that is a indication of trace metals present.
Tawnya Aldrich exactly.
Hi Pete followed your instructions and hire someone to level the ground this weekend amd put up the pool myself. Got the pavers and my pool was pretty leveled I would say may an inch to an inch and a half but pretty good thanks your videos rock.
Excellent job! I just purchased the the 18 ft version of this pool and I'm tryt to make sure I get the ground level before I put the pool up that's a lot of water to spill over if I don't get it right! I have excess to plenty of sand should I need it! I will for be using the concrete pavers
Eric D. Thanks for the comment! Best of luck.
This is the best video on leveling a pool!!!!!
I’m stressing about the leveling! Glad to hear your take on it and the comment from the pool guy. I do think we can do it.
👍🏼 if I can do it... anyone can!
@@paullywalnutz … as a 69 year old woman.. that's what I said. Smiling here. :)
best video ever on this subject.... none of the others compare... thanks for sharing. i'm immensely grateful.
Great vid Paul! I’m in the process of setting up. This helped ease my mind :-)
We put our intex round pool up last year and it was off by a couple inches for leveling. We took it down after summer and now I am going regrade the ground and put pool back up for good. Leveling is a pain, but it needs to be done right down safety. Enjoy
Just saved me a ton of $$ for sand. thanks for the tip!
Just tried this after nearly giving up. Was WAY easier than anything else I tried. When we put the liner in the legs didn’t quit match up to stones anymore. I did use the 4x8 stones so don’t take that shortcut! But it’s still measuring level. It’s filling with water now. Fingers crossed. 🤞
Keep us posted on results. !
Great video. Thank you. I had a professional install but I think you did a better job. I have a little deck attached and a candy cane ladder. It is a lot of upkeep, but worth it. I get my exercise, trust me. Also, I have little folds here and there. It's really insignificant. Thanks again. I am looking for the pump reconnect. I'm going to copy yours. Great job.
Cindy mandrier who did you call to have it professionally install your pool?
WHOA! so if I am understanding correctly... you dont have to be concerned with leveling the ground underneath the pool but rather that all the posts are level with each other. this is huge. in the past I have had the intex with the blue ring at top and it was a HUGE PITA. had to make sure the entire underneath is level.
Great video! Followed your instructions my 22 x 52 pool is very leveled. I also installed the Hayward wide mouth skimmer and going to do a complete tutorial video.
Thomas Rivera that’s fantastic! Glad the video helped you. The skimmer was easy but a little scary cutting into the side of a brand new pool. Looking forward to seeing your video.
Omg wish I watched this a couple yrs back...lol would have saved my back and my husbands...
OMG it makes sense !!!! and the middle part - as long is pretty flat not bulges nor sinks , is ok - Thanks *
Wow...get out of my head! We had the 14 x 42 last year and we all loved it so much....We bought it spontaneously after it was put on clearance at walmart (intex ultra frame) for $180. we didnt level it either, in fact, I was on night shift rotation and set it up over night to surprise the kids next morning. We took it down and it was damaged from being not level and one of the pavers i used shifted and wore a hole in the liner. I have been searching for a bigger and better pool because we all just loved it. My back yard is over an acre and faces west so from like 0900 until dark, Its a solid swim day. I live in Louisiana so it stayed up until October. Anyway...I just found an intex 22 x 52 for $330 new so I am stoked. I set aside about $1500 this year for the pool so I will use the remaining $$ for lumber, beer, and maybe a couple boxes of Arturo Fuentes. Thanks for sharing!
snap together 1in foam mats also work for under pool. and are pretty cheap and work super well
Definitely! I use them under my inflatable hot tub!
Thanks for the pavers tip my pool is perfect !
SAVAGE _ O.G outstanding!
I'd like to see how and where on the pool you installed the skimmer
Anyone use round pavers instead of square ones? Just curious if that would be a better option so as to not poke through the liner
Small rounds would work also,however since the pool feet has a flat side that goes toward the pool and they should be back away from the liner you may not get enough surface area for the foot. I used 7 "x 11" pavers. Either way you want to keep the edge of the blocks back from touching the liner. I packed sand in front of the pads to protect the liner as well as 9 mil plastic sheeting.
@@dongarrett7595 I ended up going with 10 x 10 x 2 inch square pavers instead. I also used foam in between the pool liner and edges of the pavestones.
great viedo did one much older 30 year ago was great, It change my life with family and kids. What a great fun.
Thanks alot. I was wondering about post to post. Now all I need is a 6 ft. Level
It looks great! Looks so pretty all set up. Thanks for the info. Love your voice, BTW!
And leveling is the ONLY reason why I do not have that pool in my backyard Great Video
I still have the intex 14 x 42 pool, I would like to upgrade to a 22 x 52.....very nice! I love mine, very easy setup
Thanks for the advice. I was under the impression that I to do some Rick and Morty grade leveling before I saw this video.
Hopefully this method works well for you!
@@paullywalnutz thanks, I’ll let you know 😄
We are installing the same pool, which inlets did you buy on amazon. I saw a post from you that had the link but cant find it. Great job on video!
Hi. Excellent video thank you so much.
May I plz ask...when u leveled your pool initially did u remove your grass with a sod cutter and then try n eyeball to level?
Once u do that then u level each cement clock? Is that how it works. Plz help. Thank u so much
Did you posted my solution..!! Thanks so much..
Which ladder did you purchase?
2466shan... I actually bought the old lady stairs that cost over $200... sigh... here's the thing... as soon as I went online and found a platform for around $20 or so for the top of the original ladder, it solved the stability problem with the ladder.. now, I have the stairs for when I'm REALLY old..
I used a similar concept. setup 12x12 pavers.. however one side of the pool the paver is too far underneath the liner. so now its starting to tear the liner!! I need to jack up the pool and pull the paver out so it doesn't cause extra damage.
I used a jack and a length of 4 x 4 to jack the post up a little. Scary but it worked.
Thanks. For sharing this it helped me want this pool when I move soon!
We got this same pool yesterday.. and about to do this ourselves. Leveling is the issue.
Tora Gillison hope this video helps. Depending on how off it is to start... it’s not that difficult.
@@paullywalnutz thanks. We will start this weekend.
Great tip! I'm seeing mine up this weekend, I did have a question though. The stones didn't puncture the lining being that they have sharp corners? Thank you sir.
I put multiple tarps between the liner and the stones. Never had an issue.
I tassume the stones werent under the actual pool liner but only around the outer edge for decorative purpose and a weed barrier.
@@tedthornton7791 the only stones I used were under the lags of the pool. I put rubber mulch around the exterior for a barrier.
I am wanting to add akimmer system to my pool that I am going to get witch is going to be a 26 x 52, I have a rectangular pool that I have had for 5 years and I bought a pool swiper but it won't work with the set up that I have and I also wanted to buy a new pool that is round
question is how do I cut the pool to fit the new skimmer
your videos have helped in my next set up. thank you
tabitha speck glad my videos have been helpful! I used a razor knife to cut the liner. Kind of scary at first but it worked fine. I traced the outline of the skimmer onto the outside of the liner with a marker and cut it. I’ve also seen people install the skinner and then just cut out the liner.
@@paullywalnutz what skimmer should I get I have looked on Ebay and some come in pieces I want the whole set up not pieces any ideas
tabitha speck I bought one called the heritage wide mouth pool skimmer at Walmart.com. Not sure if it’s still available but it was only $40 and worked very well.
Cut and install skimmer.... Mind Blown!!! Next year this is happening. I have this junk over the wall skimmer.... it works... But no where near the effectiveness of a through the wall. Too Awesome!!!
Matt Beil you will be very happy!! Lol. One of the best mods for these pools. So easy to vacuum as well.
Thanks for saving us time.
can you make a video showing how you changed the pump
William Bailey ruclips.net/video/qZAx8fAx3RY/видео.html
Very helpful video...thanks! We just bought the same pool and hope to have it delivered by tomorrow. We'd like to set ours up just like yours and want to get a jump start on the other parts we need. Can you please let us know the models of your saltwater system, filter and skimmer. Just want to make sure we select the right one since they come in different varieties. Thanks in advance!!!
So glad I found your video thank you!
Nice setup..i wish I can get a sod cutter into my suv but I heard its heavy as heck
Rich Lo very heavy.
thank you now i can share this with my kids
thank you for sharing and do you have a link to buy those pump hole plugs? and any updates on your pool?
Excellent video thank you for sharing... how’s the quality of the pool can you let me know...
We followed your set up instructions. Our pool is level!
OUTSTANDING!!!! so glad it helped.
This is the simplest process for levelling that I came across
Wish I had seen video before I spent all day today putting down sand. Gonna go back now and put the bricks down under the legs.
Nice..great job and thanks for the tips.
Hey there- how do you know what upgraded kind of pump you can use? I have an 18ft summer waves elite frame pool and I’m a total newbie. I will definitely be using your stone leveling trick and we will be putting some sand underneath. I’ve heard these pumps stop working and definitely want a preventative plan. Thanks!
Generally best to figure out how many gallons of water your pool holds and then get a pump that’s rated to circulate that many gallons within 3-4 hours. That will keep your pool clean without having to run the pump constantly. For instance, if a pool has 10000 gallons you would want something rated for at least 2500 GPH. That would technically circulate all of your water in 4 hours.
Did you make the video for the hayward wide mouth skimmer yet?I want to get one and install it this year.
I'm also wanting to see that video.
Me too!
Question:
You stated that you knew the distance between your support poles so you could insert the pavers, that’s helpful. But how did you measure to get the angle since the pool curves slightly all the way around? Did you set up the pool frame to get the exact measurements?
Great video!!
kcewilson thanks for the comment! I measured the circumference by measuring 11 feet from center. 22 feet total. Use a chalk line or marking paint to Mark the area.
Wow using the paver stones under the legs is a brilliant idea.
Eric Charles thanks! It made it so much easier to level the pool. PLUS the legs don’t sink into the ground from all the weight.
@@paullywalnutz How many legs does this pool have? What is the size of the pavers you used?
@@ericcharles2699 I don't remember exactly how many legs the pavers were 10 x 10. A couple needed more than one because of the depth of the soil
We have this size pool with 16 inch intex sand filter and wide mouth Hayward skimmer. Not getting good suction and such with skimmer. Don’t know what to do. Any pointers would be appreciated.
My Backyard has slops down to building but water cross away from middle part of backyard is down 8". Can i leveling with rubber mulch at middle to refill 8" on top of grass or need to remove all grass out and put rubber before leveling?
Nayara Story don’t put rubber mulch under the pool. That will destroy the liner. I only put the mulch around the outside of the pool as decoration. You need to remove all grass and make sure there are no rocks or stones where you intend to set up the pool. Some people use sand.
@@paullywalnutz Thank you So much for quick reply. Just wanted to know, must need ground leveling by removing high label soil or can refill sand in middle of the part of ground is up to 8" deep to drain water because my ground is quite sloop and hard to leveling.
Nayara Story sand would be a great idea. Easy to spread and level without heavy equipment.
Awesome video. I've put up hard side pools and it's the same principal. My question is the quality of the pool. I see people getting rid of them and wonder what the wear time is for them. Can you provide any help/information on this?
its really all about set up. if it isnt done properly, any materials will fail.
@@paullywalnutz I am questioning more of the quality of the material of the product. How does it hold up? Does it do well in the winter months. I've seen so many of them just ripped down and basically given away.
@@sarahmangone7785 gotcha. I had mine up for 3 years. Through the winter as well. The frame had rusted so I took it down, got a new frame and put it up with the same liner material. I never had a single rip or failure of the pool liner itself. Of course, that’s just my experience. But the frame definitely seems to be the weak link. I did discover that some rustoleum paint does wonders to extend the life of the frame if you catch it quick enough.
Best video I’ve seen so far.
Paul,excellent video,i have a 18 x 52 intex pool,it sits on a cement slab, there is a four inch difference from top to bottom on the slab,this is my sixth year on the slab,do you think your method would work to raise the pool four inches on the low end,i tried sand one time on the low end,a wast of sand and it did not work ,any suggestions ?
I have this same pool. Bought it last year. Didn't level it at all. I put it together by myself and two small kids. It was windy too. It was a mess and very hard took me hours to set up. Going on yr number 2 with this pool. In the process of draining, cleaning and then refilling. Also don't bother with the cover that comes with the pool it's junk learned the hard way when I cleaned it out. Now I wish I knew how to more my pool so I could level it better.
I like your idea but the pool will rub against the stones and rip it.
kassia bolden can be tough to set up when it’s windy. Just helped my brother set his up on a windy day. I have never drained mine. I treat it like a regular pool. I winterize it before closing it and then follow the opening process in the spring. Always comes back fantastically. I’ve seen a lot of comments regarding the stones. Mine is going on 3 years including 2 harsh New England winters and is doing just fine. Best of luck with yours! We really enjoy ours.
Oh and as far as leveling it, you’d have to start from scratch and level the ground then set up the pool.
Hi! I need to know where is the drainage cause i want to drain my pool
thanks.
if the ground isn't somewhat level wouldn't it be more of a strain on the liner in lower spaces?
yes. i still worked to level the ground beneath the pool itself. I just eye balled it. I didn't get it machine leveled. You would have to at least do that much.
Something you could try for the wrinkles on the bottom..... BUT BE careful!!!!
I had to move around my liner a little to flatten out some rocks that worked their way up. I used the vacuum hose and suctioned the liner up a little at a time and was able to level it out. I would just briefly slide or tap the bottom of the liner, which would lift up a little at a time as I moved the rock. Be careful !!!! Don't rip your liner, I don't know if it would even work to take out wrinkles. I just know what you mean when you say it is impossible to move the liner even with only 4 inches of water. That being said, we do have a full on-ground pool with a 1hp pump that has tons of suction.
storypunman thanks for the tip! I actually replaced the pool this past year. Did a better job with the new liner.
Great Video Paul thank you for your time. Could you share your model number of the pumps you upgraded as well as the saltwater generator you purchased? I would like to upgrade to salt as well? Thank you so much for your help!
Thanks Marisa! unfortunately, both the pump and saltwater chlorinator i used are no longer available. i will link some good alternatives for you. Very similar. www.walmart.com/ip/Intex-Krystal-Clear-Sand-Filter-Pump-for-Above-Ground-Pools-3000-GPH-Pump-Flow-Rate-110-120V-with-GFCI/34335817
www.walmart.com/ip/Intex-120V-Krystal-Clear-Saltwater-Pool-Chlorinator-Wall-Mount-Surface-Skimmer/411472134
this chlorinator comes with a surface skimmer as well.
what brand is your ladder. looking for a better one myself
I would love to see the electrical set up
Not much of a set up LOL. It’s an extension cord.
hey, did you just bypass the b hookups on the pool? your return jet is in the a location and just left plugs in b location.
Does the pool not lay against the pavers? I would be concerned that it would cut the liner. I'm getting ready to set one up and I love the idea of the pavers. We've got sand in place, ready to spread and level. I bought an extra tarp as well as the ground cloth they supply. Thanks for the video and any extra advice.
Theresa Johnson it does lay against the pavers... but with 2 tarps between them I haven't had a problem. Hoping I never do! It's even stayed up through a winter.
Paul DeSousa, ok great! I plan on leaving it up, and building a deck next year. I'm definitely gonna buy a larger pump and salt water system as well. Again, thanks for the video, the extra info, and the quick response!
Theresa Johnson not sure if you've seen my other videos but I built a deck on mine this past year! Nothing huge but it makes all the difference!
Theresa Johnson ruclips.net/video/rvrr4Hx5OG0/видео.html
Thanks for the video. How many bags of salt did you use? The part of the video that you tell, is not clear.
woodsman4cb thanks for the comment. I believe it was 50lbs of salt. It’s been a while. I no longer run my pool on salt water. The amount you need will vary based on the water’s starting chemistry and the amount of water. The important thing is to get it to the correct ppm for whatever salt water generator you purchased. The directions will tell you what you need
Great video. In the process of leveling now. I noticed you just said you stopped using salt. I was thinking of getting the salt generator. Why did you switch? I was told it was both easier and cheaper. Was that not your experience?
Mr5ofus i loves it at first but then let it lapse for a year because my salt water generator broke and used regular chemicals. I found it to be easier! My girls miss the lack of chlorine smell but it doesn’t keep them from swimming!
One question, I have the 18x48 Coleman pool and for the filter pump it says the cord is a GFCI and we need to plug it into an actual outlet. However, there is no outlet in our yard. We're probably going to end up using an extension cord. I was wondering if you had the same situation and if you recommend using an extension cord. Thank you.
Mohamed Bankasliattar I use a heavy duty, outdoor extension cord. It does connect to a GFCI. No issues.
Paul DeSousa Oh ok, thank you. We've been confused for the past couple days on what to do and now we're going to use a husky brand 12 gauge outdoor extension cord for it. Hopefully nothing happens, thanks again.
We just bought the exact same pool yesterday and had no idea how to ensure grass does not grow through it ( happened with our pool last year)
Yeah that can be a problem. Definitely have to make sure you remove the sod under the pool
Really enjoyed your leveling video. We will be replacing our Intex pool this season, thought we might try the paver method for leveling. However, one concern is the liner rubbing up against the brick pavers, possibly puncturing the liner. Have experienced any problem with that happening? Appreciate any comment you could share.
Carole Wright thanks for the feedback! I haven’t had any problem with the liner and the pavers. Not sure if I’m just lucky or not. I was very careful to make sure the tarp was between the liner and the stones for an extra layer of protection. I also have seen other people use a piece of vinyl tile as a barrier. Best of luck!
I’ve read elsewhere that you should dig below the pavers so the top of the pavers are even with the ground around it. That should help keep the liner from rubbing against the pavers.
How much was the skimmer and pump upgrade. Where can I buy them and info on your ladder please. Thank you
If it’s level across each segment of the circumference, then it is level across the whole diameter. 🤔
Great idea but gotta be careful the pool tarp won't puncture on the corners of the stones at the bottom.
Pool up for 5 years. No issues.
So you only worried about the ground under the stones? As long as it was level you were good? My yard is pretty flat but I was off a few inches to where it was noticeable.
Anthony C. Exactly. I did my best to level out the ground where the actual pool goes but didn’t worry about making it perfect. It was off by 2-3 inches in places. But the stones being level made it work fine.
Just wondering how much sod cutting / dirt removing you did before it became an acceptable level of 'level' to lay out the pool and start laying the stones? Thanks
Scott Corbin thanks for the question. For my it was just removing the sod and then raking the area smooth. I also removed any stones in the area. I didn’t remove or add any dirt. I just moved it around to get fairly level. Of course, if the spot you pick is off by several inches, you’ll have to do more work to get it to an acceptable point before starting to set up the pool.
My thing is not wanting to remove the sod. I wonder if I could get away with doing the pavers like you did, and ysing a tarp and pool pad over the ground and just letting the grass die. Any feedback on that? Thank you!
I’m sure that would work as well. Save a lot of time and energy. Might have a bumpy pool floor.
thanks for the video. very very helpful. i have a sort of silly question. is the frame measurement exactly 22 feet across ? or should i set up frame first then set blocks for feet? in my mind the blocks would be off set a half inch from the 22 ft mark
I would definitely stet it up and set the blocks based on that. Takes a little more time but saves you in the other side because you won’t be moving blocks.
@@paullywalnutz thanks so much. i appriciate you
I am waiting for 26'x52" round intex pool to be delivered. I was told to level with sand, so I did, but I realize sand shifts. I have a 4 inch slope in my yard. I have plenty of sand ordered 10 square yards. I'm wondering if using pavers to build a sort of retaining wall to set the legs on and leveling the sand with those would work??? I am more concerned about this being such a large pool on a 4 inch slope.
Adam Gardner I don’t blame you for being nervous. That’s a LOT of weight being placed in that area. That’s a bit beyond my realm... might want to seek a pro in your area.