If you want to install an oval above ground pool without the problems associated with them and avoid the oval pool mistakes, mistakes that stop most people dead in their tracks, read this immediately because the mistakes and what to do instead are inside this page.
Mistake #1: Not Setting the Side Braces Correctly
There are so many different styles of oval pools it is hard to be specific here, but in most cases, following the instructions every step of the way will give good results.
Your most important objectives are to lay out all the braces and square them before you start digging. Dig out what you need to, without a lot of over digging. The less back fill the better.
An oval pool starts to look real funny when the braces on one side are not square with the braces on the opposite side. It starts looking even funnier when one side is not straight, as in resting flush with a string line. That would mean the other side is not straight either. If they go up and down a little, and in and out a little, things start getting really weird looking.
The proper use of a laser level, a string line and a tape measure will take care of these common mistakes.
Mistake #2: Not Properly Blocking the Side Braces
The weight of the water pushes out on the pool walls just like it pushes down on the floor. That's why using concrete blocks under the back of each brace is important. Just as important, these blocks need to be set perfectly level and on firm ground. I should not have to mention this but I will just because I have seen it, not using pressure plates. The water is pushing down and out, the pressure plates are every bit as important as the blocks.
The side braces going in and out as you look down the side of the pool. While the braces may look OK before adding water, if the blocks are not solid and level, the braces will push out as the pool fills, and they never push out the same. This leaves the side of your pool going in and out. This is not a good professional look.
The take away here is use the proper size blocks and laser level them.
Mistake #3: Not Properly Covering the Pressure Plates and Straps
I've been answering pool questions online for many years and it always amazes me how often I get asked about indentations in the liner around the brace assemblies just inside the pool. This can be a major problem, meaning the pool is not safe and needs to be drained so repairs can be made. The liner cannot sit on the bare metal of anything, there must be a cushion.
The problem is usually ground settling around the brace channels or pressure plates. The weight of the water when the pool is full is tremendous, what you put under it needs to be solid. This means not just back filling around the brace assemblies, but packing it solid. If needed, water, wait and pack some more.
The other mistake is not covering the pressure plates with enough sand. Some of these things are big, and almost all of them sharp. They are very important to the integrity of a pool, and cannot be left out, but they must be well covered. Remember, the weight of the water increases as the pool fills, whatever is over those plates will compress. Not only will sand compress it will also shift into large openings, like those created at the ends, or around the pressure plates.
Be sure your side brace assemblies are well packed and well covered.
Mistake #4: Not Building a Complete Pool
This one is as important as the first three, build the pool completely, uprights and top rails, before you think about installing that liner. Doing that will assure you of several things. Are the sides straight? Is the transition angle to the round ends the same in all four corners? Is the pool perfectly level? Do you have enough parts to finish the pool once the liner is installed?And while we are talking about pool mistakes these pages might be helpful also.
Above Ground Pool Installation Mistakes
The illustrated pool assembly pages on this site, some of them listed below, will show you a lot of what I do to build a perfect oval above ground pool.