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.