Wilkes Pool

by Larry Mapes
(Wyalusing, PA)

I was given a 4'x18' Wilkes pool. I have removed the deck and the liner but can't figure out how to get the sides apart. The bolts all have nuts on them but there is no way to get a wrench on them. Any advise would help thanks



Hi Larry. There are a couple of ways to deal with your problem. You can force the bolts to snap apart or you can leave them alone and move the wall connected.

The way I remove nuts from bolts that are rusted solid is to snap a set of Vise Grips on the nuts and wiggle them back and forth until they snap. This works just about all of the time, and is a better option than trying to move and reinstall a side wall that has not been disconnected. Nuts and bolts are easy to replace, any hardware store can sell you ones that will work just fine.

If you are trying to install a wall that has not been disconnected, it can be done, it's just a pain. You have to unroll a good section to get started. Start with the nuts and bolts behind an upright and work off in one direction or another. Be sure to install all of the pool structure, uprights and top rails, as you go. As you get about half way, the unrolled wall assembly needs to be lifted over the pile of sand you will probably have in the center of the pool.

When you get back to the beginning, you hope the wall is close enough to fitting into the rail, that a little tap in or out will make it fit.