One of the best spoken DIY advice vids I've ever watched. No rambling. Clear. Great advice. You should teach others mate. Thank you... and I live way way down in New Zealand.
thanks so much for this! We built a deck up to about 1/4 of our round 48" 1985 pool. It's rusting out and we want to go to maybe a 52"pool. We are in NJ but only a few inches should be fine. Thanks again!
I live in northern Ohio, and our previous owner sunk our pool in sort of halfway. The hole is bigger than the pool, and has wooden sides holding gravel behind it. Problem is, he didn't use pressure-treated wood, so the wood is rotting away and now the gravel has been pushing in on the sides in spots. Also, the sides are rusting badly. I'm guessing we only have a year or two left on this pool. I would definitely do something about the drainage issue if you're planning on sinking your pool in the ground.
He is so correct, with dropping an above ground pool in the ground with a cave in later on on a liner change. I purchased my home 4 years ago in maryland with a 18x33,54 oval above ground pool, The property is not level the property tapers deeper into the ground one end was close to 3 feet in the ground where as the other end was just under a foot in the ground, the issue we ran into was 3 years after being in the home the liner had to be changed the other issue we discovered is my property is all sand even going 9 feet deep no matter where we dig under 14 inches of dirt top soil witch we did not know till that water was drained and when we went to change the liner stepped on the outside of the pool where it was 3 feet of what we thought was dirt to take off the top tracks to release the liner from the copping it buckled the walls in and popped the walls off the track just with the weight of a 175lb guy standing outside the pool you could not stand anywhere around the edges without it buckling the walls even my 80lb boxer dog caved the side by walking to close to the outside of the pool a half a foot from the outer wall there was no stability to the ground as sand does not pack we got a new pool as the bottom walls we discovered was rusted from a salt water set up of previous owners and the skimmer gasket leaking the pool was 8 years old but only rust was 4 feet across and the height of the skimmer on the inner walls no rust on the buried sides clearly the pool was a victim of salt water. regardless of us stripping the salt system right away so we got a new pool, my new pool has been installed for 4 days now and we are stuck with the dilemma of options to back fill with stability so we dont have to go through what we just went through from an above ground pool being partially berried with no stability to the ground and what to use witch brought me here. please listen to him and do it right.
Definitely like to do this. And I would build a retaining wall.. I own a small business and we build retaining walls, with interlocking blocks and I get extra blocks.. Glad I came across your video. I like to drop a above ground pool in the ground ground. Hell of a lot cheaper that's for sure. People pay us to fill them in, they get tired of the upkeep after spending 30k on their pool. As opposed to 5k or under, at most.
Years ago they sold hybrid pools with solid panels, ridgid aluminum on the outside and 2" sheets of styrofoam in-between. Those were made to be installed above, half-way or in-gound. There hard to find today, but I did find one used about 20 years ago and it's held up great.
I don't know nothing about putting up an above ground pool but I'm about to do my first one. Following your vids is an help but this is a family project and I'm hoping to make the least mistakes. Learning alot from you and look forward to hear from me often...thanks and pray for me...lol!!!
I have had our 24' 54" deep pool in the ground 30' feet from a lake since 1999 here in Land O Lakes Florida. It has done well with our ultra high moisture and weathered well considering a good bit of abuse. Its life span was a good one and the pool has reached its END OF LIFE, we need to replace it. As far as dropping the pool into the ground, would you suggest or give examples of some of the better Makes and Models that may be better suited for partial burial? ALSO, would you suggest using the old HEAVY DUTY liner that is still in a great shape to "coat" or "line" the exterior of the new pool to help protect it from the "minerals" you spoke of?
One of the few times being a Georgia resident could actually play to my favor. Now if I can not get sick for a decade so I can put a down payment on a house to do this with, we’re golden.
thank you so much. Wish they would have been more forth coming when I was purchasing my pool. Now, I'm stuck with a half in ground and half above ground. I knew we had a slant but I didn't think it was that much. And now my pump is higher then the pool. Hows that gonna work? Bless you for putting this video out.
dude, your channel is awesome. i have above ground just hit 10yrs . rust on the bottom got me thinking of replacing the whole thing. would like to sink it 2'. the rust is crazy. i didnt know that happens.
You never mentioned that dropping a above ground in the ground at all will cause the bottom track and the wall to corrode faster over time. Which eventually if you need a wall replacement you might need a track replacement too. I've seen many jobs where this has happened. Sure you can do it, but if you want to avoid problems all together do not put a above ground in the ground at all
I live in new mexico and the dirt is so hard ive seen backhoes fail the break ground and lift up...its so hard and dry its like carving into dryed clay
Great info. We will be sinking our 18x33 oval in the ground 30-33” deep. We live in North Florida, would you definitely suggest concrete for the sides and how much space around the pool to fill in with concrete? Also do you have a video showing sinking a oval pool? Thanks so much!
I like to leave about a foot all the way around the pool for concrete. No I don't have a video specifically on that side of the one you've already watched.
We moved into a house with a partially sunken pool. When we had to remove it several years later, I discovered there was a lot of corrosion going on below.
What if you got those construction size garbage bags and put those around the pool legs before putting them in the ground. That way there is not direct contact with the dirt.
What if you dig a rectangular hole and put like retaining walls that would solve the collapse problem almost like how people put trampolines into the ground
We are in Ontario Canada and are wanting to drop our 21' pool 18-24" We have clay soil and I have a pretty good understanding of everything that needs to be done. The 2 things I am not quite sure about are do we need to put anything special under the pool? Sand? gravel? gravel and sand? We will be putting a Gorilla pad down but I am curious as to whether we need to do something to prevent water accumulation under the liner. Our other concern is freezing, are we still good to go with dropping the pool 18-24" in clay soil if we experience freezing winters where the ground freezes as well? Thanks for your help! Your videos have been very informative!
Tammy, I installed an 18' round pool in our backyard that has a serious slope to it. We too have clay and the first pool (21 foot) I installed in the same spot over 20 years ago moved every year until I finally got rid of it in 2014. I went with an 18 foot this time so that I could lay a drain pipe all around the base of it, filling it with crushed stone. The lowest end of our pool on the skimmer side is almost 3 feet down and the high end is about a foot. With the drain pipe installed this time we have had no problem - going on the 3rd summer. I live in Quebec and we have freezing ground issues too, so I just want you to know what I did to solve my pool problems. I can send you some pics if you want. Cheers!
GKIC, Did you actually have the 21' buried? When you say it moved every year, I am assuming this was due to frost heaving? Did it cause any damage? Did you have to intervene or repair, or did it sort itself out once the ground thawed? This is exactly the type of thing I am worried about! I'd love some pictures if you don't mind :) Putting in a little drainage pipe to have ease of mind doesn't seem like a bad idea, A little more work but it might be worth it. Our yard is fairly flat where the pool will go so it will be pretty evenily buried. tammymurphy at gmail dot com
I'm having an above ground pool installed currently. The pool contractor dug 40inches into the ground. They're telling me they may have to dig deeper. They're telling me I have to have someone build a retaining wall the perimeter of the pool. They're charging me by the inch. I feel very uncomfortable. More I have a40 inch deep hole in my yard and the pool is only 54 inches. Please advise 🙏
Hello, I'm from Toronto, Ontario and looking to burry my 12'x12' round pool. The pool is 52" tall, we want to bury it 26", so half way. Do you recommend Slurry mix or just back fill with the dirt? I was also told to consider digging a foot around the pool and building a retainging wall. What are you thoughts on this? BTW, Great video and information!!!!
We live in Texas, and we want to drop our 20’x48” pool in 2 feet. I watched a longer video explaining the 4 main variables in considering dropping it...... initially I thought I’d need to use a slurry mix for the 2 feet but now I’m wondering if I need it all since it’s just 2 feet in? Your thoughts Chad?
I have a doughboy steel wall oval pool I dropped. I put slurry around the pool. I drained the pool for maintance purposes and to install a new liner. Is it a good idea to paint the outside of the pool that is in ground with a asphalt sealer or something like that?
I couldn't think of any reason why that wouldn't be good. Doughboy pools have some of the best rust protection I've seen in the business. I won't think you would have to, but if you want to then go for it.
what do you about drainage we want to sink a poll about 30 inches down which is below grade in our yard. do we just need to have some kind of pump down there to pump out the water? we were thinking we could try doing a french drain but it really wouldnt have anywhere lower in elevation to go to. Would love your ideas!
hi. loved your info videos. planning on installing above ground next fall. a lot of research and planning ahead. question. do you have any info on a discovery lx pool being a hybrid or a 100% resin constructed pool. all my info is kind of not clear. also going with a salt system so this is extremely important. thanks.
Is this a good idea if you have really harsh winters? I'm from Ottawa, Ontario. I want to sink my pool into the ground if possible, but I'm worried, because it literally gets down to minus 40 here sometimes, and I'm not sure if the pool would survive. Do you know if there is a type of on ground pool that can handle that? Also, is it possible to dig a pool deeper and just put a bigger liner, if you sink it into the ground? Thanks.
Could somebody please send me a link to see and buy the slurry mix? I found options extremly expensive for it... I need fill 36 cubic feet and I found pack to cover 56 cubic inches (I'll need 1111 packs, $37,880)... I'm be sure that I looking for the wrong product. Please help me...
Thanks for the video. Hopefully you still reply to these. I bought my house and there was an in-ground pool that they filled in. when my wife said she wanted a pool. I decided to dig up the hole and drop an above in the ground. the concrete around the old pool is exactly 25' so I found a 24' off of craigslist for free, just had to disassemble. It was all there and the uprights and track are both a composite plastic, so i figure it will help with corrosion. My question is the pump. I can possibly get it right beside the skimmer in an area where the old steps were but if I want to add a heater I doubt there is enough room. what pump do you recommend? Also, i figure since its in ground we will probably need a heater (WE LIVE IN ST LOUIS). Can you recommend a heater? Thanks in advance. Clem
I have a 27' foot above ground pool for the last 4 years here in Tennessee......recently a family of moles invaded my yard with the consequence that they went under the pool or at least one of these critters did.......ruining the liner and now it is slowly leaking.......I know I have to replace the liner but how do I get rid of these critters?.......I would appreciate your input on this problem....
1 side of my above the ground pool is half way under the ground and my dirt is somewhat like clay, what do you suggest to backfill on that side of the pool. Thanks
Not sure if it will get answered. Putting up my resin Wilbar 18' round above ground pool. IE it's all level now with the paver pad stones. Level to the stones and the base is all set up on the paver stones. Do I add an additional 2" of sand. I'm using foam cove so don't need 6" for the cove. Do i add 2" and the cove will set 2" above the base right ? Thanks Ron
I would recommend adding about an inch of sand which will go over an inch of the cove. You will want the Cove touching the ground and the sand coming up to the cove.
Great video, I am thinking of dropping a 12 feet by 26 feet oval pool 4 feet into the ground, how much room should I leave around the pool? just to be clear pour the slurry mix against the pool?. Thanks in advance for your answer.
What can you put around a soft side pool to fill in where the dirt was removed to level the ground? Other than decking. Can rubber mulch be used? Thanks
What are your thoughts regarding rocks. I have some areas where the pool was dug out that are about a foot or so lower then ground level. I have a 24' round pool and was thinking of filling the area in with river Rock for a more finished look. Thx
Hi just a quick clarifier.....are you saying if someone has an oval pool they "can" still go down a few feet without a concrete wall/mix of some type on the straight sides? Or no matter what oval pools need side support if you go down half way down? I am in Michigan and want to drop an 18x34 down a few feet. And one other question if I could ask....I think I may have water about 2-3 ft down. Is that "Not" a problem because of the weight of the water above pushing down? Starting to do some research before I commit. Thanks
I recommend slurry mix on EVERY oval, no matter how far you go down. As far as the water under the pool, I don't like that. If the water underneath becomes more than the water in the pool you may have big problems. I don't think sinking it that deep may be good for you. I would think the water underneath will shift the floor around to some extent over time.
Hi, thanks for your comments about 10 months ago. I'm getting close to giving this "partially underground pool" a shot. Not going more than a couple feet. I was previously going to shoot for 3-4 ft. Changed my mind based on your recommendations. Here's what I have... i'd love any input you could. I'm in Michigan, I have an 18 x 34 doughboy (existing very good condition. But I will prime and paint all the metal again and buy a new liner) area is semi-soggy in the spring. I'm dropping a sump pump very close to the pool location for heavy rainy periods. I do have neighbors with moles and occasionally see a trail into the yard. I will try sinking some metal or wire mesh around the pool to keep them out. I'll reinforce the sides with a small underground concrete wall. And then build a deck around half of it. Outside will have gravel under the deck and heavy mil plastic pitched away about 4 feet. The other side will have more plastic about 6-8 inches down pitched away. Any thoughts or comments? Thx
yes...once filled with water the water will hold the dirt. if for some reason u have to empty your pull over its life and you will...the pressure will be lifted and the dirt decompress and crush your pool. but just having it in the ground sure. think of putting some structural in ground. steel framing with concrete layer to help prevent this is cheap and sturdy. have fun!
Well if I put it around the pool it will be touching the sides how do you prevent that on one side of the pool which is probably a 3 foot drop and the other side is maybe a foot and it is a soft side pool as I said in my previous comment. Thanks
+CPR4THEBODY It's a judgement call. The better it packs and stays then the better for dropping the pool. You'll have to decide for yourself or get a local pool guy who will do the install to judge for you.
Hi, we live in Texas and we just made a High gruond intex pool under ground, we are having trouble with the water pump filter which is not pumping any water, could it be that the hose from the pool need to have a inclination towards down so that the water can flow into te pump or is there a way we can make it work, because the water pump is on a higher level from the pool"
I want to install a 30' x 54" round pool on a slope where I would also cut the back side wall at a slope like you have shown in your video, My question is then I should be able to still install a deck up to the pool using posts to hold the deck up close to the pool just like you would do if you put in a retaining wall.....correct if so then this might be something you could add to your video as another option. Curious to know your thoughts. Thanks
crystalwolf2006 You could in theory, but that would be a tricky thing to do. You'd have to keep in mind that the liner of the pool would cave in while you were pouring the concrete around it potentially.
Above Ground Pros you put concrete on the floor and then leave about half a foot fill little by little as you slowly fill the pool? Probably take forever but just curious. Thanks in advance.
Thanks for the video do you know anything about putting some cement-sand mix around the pool but since i live in canada i worry about the frost do you know anything about this ?
+nancy laframboise I don't believe the frost point would effect you if you went with a cement mix around the pool, but a local conrete guy could probably shed more light on it than me. Give a local concrete guy a call to hear his thoughts on it.
I had my 32 x 18 above ground pool that this company put in 2ft for me . it is now coming apart on the sides. I wish is could show you a picture but I don't know how . Anyway the top part is separating from the panel on top. Please help me with this problem. I live in Arcadia, Florida and the ground is sandy type. The installers did not bother putting the braces on the side like they were above the ground for support they just put the straight wall side metal pieces to it that holds up the long wall to it. I ask them about it and they said the water and dirt would hold it, they were wrong. HELP
Virginia Algar hope like hell you reported them to consumer affairs everyone thinks it's the better business bureau well report to them too but consumer affairs will shut the business down while they investigate the wrongdoing this is bad practice and there are many laws protecting you from this stuff you can sue them not only for the entire cost you paid for parts and labor you can sue them for the price of replacement and damages to your property the costs of taking time off fro. Work to have it installed repaired or reinstalled by another company as well as the costs for you to take off work to have another company install the costs of heating or landscaping the entire months it was improperly installed as well as electricity or gas bills during the entire period up until the reinstall was heated and done right. Hope this helps get them.