Top Rails Not Fitting Correctly

by Jeff
(Cumberland, RI)

We were able to level off the yard, set the patio blocks, put down the bottom plates and rails, and put up the pool wall. When we got to put on the top rails, they didn't work out. There was an overlap on the top rails which lead us to believe that we installed the bottom rails incorrectly.

When measuring, we realized that the wall posts and bottom plates were not uniformed. How do we know how spaced out the posts should be? Is there a gap needed at the bottom plates between the bottom rails and if so, how big a gap?

Thanks



Hi Jeff. I wish I knew what size pool you are building and whether it is an oval or a round pool. On a round pool all the bottom rails should be the same length, so there would not be a problem with the wrong sizes in the wrong places. With an oval pool there would usually be 3-4 different size bottom rails that all need to be in specific places.

Above ground pool footplates usually have a stop button, or tab, that show how far the rails need to be inserted. A rail would usually go into the plate, up to the tab, and then backed off just a touch. That would be the gap I talk about a lot. The gap is always different from pool to pool but they almost always have one.

What you did not say was if you got the wall up or not. When building a round pool this lets you know how the gaping turned out. If the wall fits you probably did OK. If the is a foot to long it probably means you need to go back and gap your bottom tracks.

Keeping the bottom rails of a round above ground pool perfectly round is one of the keys to building the perfect pool. The other is making it perfectly level.

I start by finding a center point and nailing a tape measure in place at that spot. When it comes time to connect the bottom rails I take the tape around with me so that every rail is set at the same radius. This page illustrates that process.

Above Ground Swimming Pool Installation

Only when the wall is up do you know how the gap turned out. How you fix the problem is critical. If the wall is a foot away from meeting correctly I would take it all down and start over. That is the only way to keep the pool round. If you are just off an inch or less I would take the wall out of the rail for about fifteen to twenty feet and re-gap just that area. You never want to make all of your adjustments in one or two footplates, they should all be the same. Making adjustments incorrectly will cause the pool to be out of round and will also cause your top rails to not fit correctly.