Installing a swimming pool!

[JP_]

Just bought an overpriced above ground steel frame pool.

Obviously needs to be pretty flat, but how flat? Do these pools have some give in them? It's steel... Got some random slabs, bricks, etc. I can use to make level, so should be OK ...

Paid twice what it would normally cost, but at least the boys will be happy, if I can build it!

One of these
https://www.bestwaystore.co.uk/12-x39-5-stl-pro-deluxe-pool-set.html

Video makes it look easy

 

[motorbiking]

That does look quite expensive for the size.

Do you have a filter/pump?

You'll need some treatment. two options: spend a fortune on daily sachets to balance the water or keep it simple and buy chlorine. You still need to to control the PH level, but its a lot easier to stop your water turning green with chlorine.

The water will make it flat. the water will cost you around £60 on top, if you are on a meter. Make sure you have a cover. If you have the ability to put the pool on high ground, you can make a simple gravity fed solar heater.

 

[noseall]

Got some random slabs, bricks, etc. I can use to make level

I'm guessing that you don't want any of these random 'slabs, bricks etc' sticking out past the footprint of the tub - ouch!

I'm guessing the only place to put these things is on a feet friendly lawn, surely?

 

[festive]

Just bought an overpriced above ground steel frame pool.

Obviously needs to be pretty flat, but how flat? Do these pools have some give in them? It's steel... Got some random slabs, bricks, etc. I can use to make level, so should be OK ...

Paid twice what it would normally cost, but at least the boys will be happy, if I can build it!

One of these
https://www.bestwaystore.co.uk/12-x39-5-stl-pro-deluxe-pool-set.html

Video makes it look easy

I used to have one like this slightly bigger until we moved, ours sat on the lower patio so i built decking round it to make it into a semi built in pool. But yes you need to make sure it's on good level ground the feet obviously dont bear all the load but best not sat on soggy clay either. Good hard pack lawn or patio is fine.

Also ensure the following:

You must have a good cover to stop all the sh't landing in it at night and insulated


A good net/vac system to clean out the crap in the pool- https://www.amazon.co.uk/vidaXL-Cle...9Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=



A floating bleach chamber to keep the water chlorinated - maybe invest in a few ph meters too. -https://www.amazon.co.uk/SUDS-ONLIN...=pool+bleach&qid=1591196266&s=outdoors&sr=1-1


A decent pump to keep the water clear (use one with a sand filter the paper ones are pathetc) -https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bestway-Fl...ocphy=9045705&hvtargid=pla-720473212989&psc=1


Optional (Solar matts) which i used about 5 to keep the water 'heated' on warm sunny days. Bascially utilising the pump to pump water out and through Solar matts and back into pool. - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Intex-Eco-Friendly-Heating-Swimming-28685/dp/B00MS3963Y

 

[JP_]

Yeah, paid £270 over the normal cost. But it's either than or wait until the end of the summer. And we're saving by not going anywhere too!

Already ordered a floating chlorine dispenser that comes with some test strips. It comes with a floor sheet and a cover. Hoping it will go on grass just fine ...

Good point and pointy slabs. If needed will pack soil all around and then will be covered with the ground sheet too.

 

[JP_]

Have so far only ordered this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01KKGIES8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My lawn is pretty solid and dry at the moment, never squishy though even in winter. Fingers crossed!

 

[fillyboy]

I hope you're not on a water meter.

 

[Bodd]

If you can't get it level then just simply have a deep end and a shallow end...

 

[JP_]

Lawn does slope a bit! Think I should be able to get away with digging the feet on one side in a bit.
One reviewer said to build the frame first, get it level, then dismantle and build again with the liner. Think I'll be doing that.

 

[JP_]

I hope you're not on a water meter.

I am. Unless I got my maths wrong, 9000 litres should be about £12 with Essex & Suffolk water. Does that sound right?
£1.37 / cubic metre
https://www.eswater.co.uk/help/charges/

Cheaper than chemicals and heating no doubt!

Maybe will get some more water butts... although it never rains here.

 

[JP_]

what about these?
They seem a bit crazy and dangerous, but probably more effective than passing the water through an insulated tube?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/HOLDARE-Su...ric-inflatable/dp/B089CSQ9BM/ref=sr_1_28_sspa

 

[festive]

I am. Unless I got my maths wrong, 9000 litres should be about £12 with Essex & Suffolk water. Does that sound right?
£1.37 / cubic metre
https://www.eswater.co.uk/help/charges/

Cheaper than chemicals and heating no doubt!

Maybe will get some more water butts... although it never rains here.

Make sure you keep it filtered and chlorinated and covered or you will be draining and refilling regularly!

 

[JP_]

Will do. Wife has already told me to do that!

Need a heater of some sort too... just trying to decide what to get...

 

[festive]

Will do. Wife has already told me to do that!

Need a heater of some sort too... just trying to decide what to get...

As above see my link i used 5 intex solar matts daisy chained which pumped via a sand filter pump, (note anything less than a decent pump just won't have the ability to push the water through multiple solar mats especially up on a raised surface) then fed back into pool. These sat on a large flat roof area in direct all day sun(absolutely imperative) and raised the pool temp to about 26degrees iirc certainly made it warm enough to be in but no jacuzzi, ive seen some people adapt the lazy spa heater pumps into heaters for pools they go cheap on classifieds when people ruin the main inflatable unit. Had i did it all again i'd use a 2kw pool heater with a few solar panels + inverters to drive it.

Good luck let me know if you have any q's.

 

[JP_]

So, does the pump for the water filter push the water all the way through the solar mats, even up on a roof?
Got a shed, not too far, but over a path. Actually, will be about 8m probably ...