Helllpp Fassssssssttttttt!

[denanbob]

Oh my gosh, the saga continues! We finally got the pool structure up and are getting ready to cut the 1.5" styrofoam for beneath the liner, but nothing is working out to level. We used a laser transit the WHOLE time for leveling and my husband also used a level stick to level the whole time we were constructing the pool. Also, my husband builds large buildings for a living so he's not new to constructing things. SO WHY IS EVERYTHING OFF? Here are some pictures, and I will comment with questions under each one:

Here is a picture of how off level the ONE SIDE of the pool is. The other side is perfectly level (and the whole daggone thing is hooked together so how can this be?)

Here is a picture of the one corner of our pool that is not exactly to grade. We used a 4" block so most of the block is buried, but some is not and you can see the difference. Is this ok?

Here is the rest of the side I just showed you so you can see how flush with the ground the rest of it is.

Here is the MAIN question........the directions said we needed a 7.6 foot radius for the oval part of the pool. We sprayed the radius and also drove rebar stakes into the ground around that radius. When we put the wall channel up and then put the wall into it, in order for the wall ends to meet up and overlap, we had to squeeze it together which shortened the radius. We are trying to cut foam to fit the inside. Is the weight of the water going to shift this and will there be a gap between the foam and the sides? We are so frustrated. Nothing is going right.

I'm sorry this is so long!

[denanbob]

Here is the whole scenario if this helps any (I doubt it will):

[hrsdennis]

Hi, I think your husband has done a great job. I really do. The issues you brought up are not big problems at all. It is tough to get everything perfect. The pool will not shift so once your foam is put into place it will stay there. Be sure and us lots of tape.

Looks like the kids are pretty excited about the pool. Lots of help too I bet.

The only thing that is critical in the last picture is the overall level. Side to side and end to end should all be the same. I don't see any reason not to go ahead with the foam and liner.

Dennis

[denanbob]

Oh thank you thank you thank you!!! This makes us feel much better. We are almost done with the foam and will at least lay the liner in there and fit it into the bead channel all the way around because it is supposed to rain tonight. It's already 8:00, so I doubt we'll get the liner fully installed. At least no high winds are coming!! Thanks again soooooooooooo much Dennis! You are the pool God! )

[denanbob]

Ok so we got all the styrofoam laid tonight. Did not get the liner in because I remembered it should not sit without water in it. So we're hoping to get the liner in tomorrow night and hopefully have water delivered on Wednesday. I'm too chicken to use my well. I decided against wall foam because I didn't want to wash down the interior walls (used pool and walls are a bit dirty) and I knew the foam wouldn't stick. So I skipped it. Also, didn't use a cove because the styrofoam covers the wall channel and any rough edges. Is this ok? As long as I use duct tape along the edges to join the styrofoam with the walls? We ended up putting a thin layer of sand down, then 1.5" high grade styrofoam. Am hoping my beaded liner will fit like a glove tomorrow night. Stay tuned............

[hrsdennis]

It all sounds good so far. Any chance of pics before the liner intall?

Will you be following Matt's instructions for the beaded liner install?

Remember that getting the bottom seams alligned correctly is the most important thing. The end to end (or maybe side to side) seams (or seam) and the seam that goes around the cove area. It must all fit the pool before you start the water.

You should clean the walls as best possible. It will all show through your new liner, you will be much happier by spending a little more time and doing that.

You should also consider installing the liner in direct sunlight. If you decide to try in the eve and it seems tight or like it does not want to fit, hold off for direct sun.

Looking good, Dennis

[denanbob]

Any chance of pics before the liner intall?

Ask and ye shall receive.........



Now know that it's pitch black out there and I couldn't see through my camera lens so I was guessing where the pool was. That's why the pics are all crooked. LOL! Probably could see better in the daylight. I'll snap some tomorrow before we put the liner in. Yes, I saved Matt's directions. Will be referring to them for sure!

[denanbob]

Forgot to add that we're not done with the duct tape yet. The darkness chased us out of the pool before we were done. Will finish tomorrow.

[hrsdennis]

Great Job, and your pics were fine. Look forward to more.

Dennis

[matt4x4]

Looking good!!!
You're doing a fantastic job.
My recommendation is to use the cove material, having a 90 deg. corner is not the best of choices, the cove transitions the load (Weight of water) better and also gives you piece of mind that all that weight doesn't push through a small crack left between foam and wall, if there is even a small gap, the weight of the water will eventually push the liner in there as if it was saran wrap (with or without duct tape), so the cove would cover any such potential spots.
Also, a cove gives a better transition to allow your kreepy crawley to climb the walls.
With regards to the inweard lean of the straight wall - in my opinion, all oval pools should be built that way, I call it preloading, once all the water weight start to push, your wall WILL lean out some, so by preloading, your wall should become straight once the pool is filled.