above ground pools..

cheapaudio · Post by **cheapaudio** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 7:41 am

well i been workin on a new project for the kids.. i borrowed a bobcat off my cousin and leveled out a huge area out in my backyard.. ive got big sheets of ply wood laid down ,, to make sure there will be no sinking... my wife wants to buy a pool, atleast 4 feet deep by like 18 foot wide.. ive been looking at the ones from walmart and target,, places like that.. they all seem bout the same. (CHEAPLY MADE).. but i still have to get one none the less. has anybody had any experience with any of these pools? if so how well did it hold up..
thanx

smoker · Post by **smoker** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 7:59 am

dont use ply wood use sand, and get a vibratory plate compactor to tamp it down, then make sure you get one of the pools that have metal sides, usually places like wal mart and meijer can get them for you pretty cheap. our meijer keeps them in stock for less than a grand for a pretty good sized pool

cheapaudio · Post by **cheapaudio** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 8:05 am

yea i am gettin one with the metal sides. would any type of wood be good for the ground? idunno if i can find a whole lot of sand around this lil town.

Bwcad1 · Post by **Bwcad1** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 8:28 am

wood no... bad idea you need sand. you can have it truck in for pretty cheap. we had to get 7 tons for our pool its 24ft round x 4ft deep.

Ryan from Ohio · Post by **Ryan from Ohio** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 8:46 am

Sand for sure. Landing on wood would suck.

cheapaudio · Post by **cheapaudio** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 9:06 am

i will call around to see about gettin some sand.. im pretty sure were gettin a 18ft wide by 4ft deep with the metal sides.. im still checkin the pools out,, got it narrowed down to the heritage, intex, and the sand n sun..

Purple RS · Post by **Purple RS** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:49 am

When I was still in high school in Michigan (many years ago), I helped my father put one in the back yard. Yes, sand is the way to go for the bottom. It was 16' X 24' X 4' deep, with a raised deck around the sides. The sides were made of 4 X 8 plywood sheets braced with an aluminum framework. IIRC the vendor's name was Kayak Pools. They may be a bit on the pricey side, but quality is first rate

http://www.kayakpools.com/

scotts1000rr · Post by **scotts1000rr** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 11:59 am

make sure its "double screened" sand so there isnt any rocks or dirt in it.

cheapaudio · Post by **cheapaudio** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 1:35 pm

no expensive one yet.. me and the wife are looking to buy a new house.. just need a cheapy to throw up for a year or 2.. after we buy our new home,, then id like to throw sometin nice up.

cargodz · Post by **cargodz** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 3:38 pm

If you're just looking to got cheap... check the local paper and craigslist... lots of times you can get them dirt cheap or even free if you take down and haul away. We had 2 when the kids were growing up (18ft. and then upgraded to a 24ft.).
You will definately want sand... check the phone book for stone hauling and topsoil companies... they will haul it in the cheapest.
And as another option for going cheap, you could also look at the pools that raise as you put the water in them... just make sure you get the type with plastic pipe bracing around the outside. 2 of my buddies and my niece have them and they've actually held up really well. My niece has had hers for 4 years and torn it down and moved with it three times... I admit still not as nice as a steel braced sidewall pool, but a nice cheap temporary solution.