Intex Pool Is Not Level? (We Have a Fix!)
Intex pools are one of the most affordable types of pools on the market. They’re above-ground pools that are durable and at the same time, relatively easy to maintain. However, they tend to have one major snag. Sometimes, they end up being uneven. When this happens, you need to know what to do…and if you’re at risk of something worse.
Intex pools that have more than three inches off in level are at risk of a collapse. To fix an Intex pool that’s unlevel, you will need to take the pool down, level the ground it’s on, and then reinstall it. While this may not be the news you want to hear, it’s vital that you situate your pool on even grounds.
Most people think that a pool that’s unlevel is just a nuisance. It’s not. It’s actually something that you should really worry about.
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How Uneven Can An Intex Pool Be?
Before we get into the matter of leveling things out, we have to be realistic. Intex pools do not have to be perfectly even. Ideally, your Intex’s pools levels will not be over an inch different. However, a single inch might not be that much of an issue—at least, not at the start. As the pool settles, the unevenness will be more pronounced.
The most uneven an Intex pool can be is three inches. After that, it is no longer considered to be safe for anyone to swim in it. While you might be able to get some leeway with swimming, we’ll explain why this isn’t a good idea in the next section. (Seriously, you want your pool to be as level as possible.)
How Can You Tell If Your Pool Is Off-Level?
Most of the time, people can tell by looking at the water level in the pool without even measuring it. Intex pools don’t have a shallow end and a deep end. If you notice that the water is visibly slanted towards one direction, then you need to address this immediately.
Not all pools will look off-level at first glance. So if you take a measuring stick and notice that you’ve got an extra inch or two in one end of the pool, you should probably address it.
What Happens If Your Intex Pool Is Too Uneven?
If your Intex pool is uneven, there are a bunch of issues that can occur. These below are the most worrying:
- Your pool skimmer might not work well. Skimmers need evenness to ensure that they get all the grime and grit out of your pool water. If the water is too uneven, the skimmer might end up sucking air instead. This turns the pool water into an unsanitary mess.
- Your pool vacuum may be unable to clean the floor of the pool well. If the pool’s floor is too uneven or bumpy, you could actually destroy your pool’s liner. This means you might need to buy a brand new Intex pool.
- It can pose a risk to kids who are swimming in the pool. People who are not swimming in an even pool might become more likely to drown.
- Uneven foundations can also put a strain on the walls of the pool. In some cases, the uneven pressure of the water can lead to issues that eventually cause the pool to burst. It can even lead to the inflatable portions of the pool to burst. This can lead to the injury or even death of people in or around the pool.
Is An Uneven Intex Pool Preventable?
You can absolutely prevent an Intex pool from being too uneven. The best way to prevent this from happening is to install it on a professionally leveled surface, with a Gorilla pool pad. Ideally, you’ll have it professionally installed. However, Intex pools are rarely ever treated like normal above-ground pools. After all, they’re inflatable pools. They’re not meant to be there forever, right?
How Do You Fix An Intex Pool That Is Uneven?
An uneven Intex pool is something that you need to address as soon as you notice it. In fact, you might actually want to keep an eye on it just to make sure you get it in time. Here’s the full scope of what you may need to do in order to save your pool.
- First, measure how much unevenness there is. This is not always necessary, but it’s good to know. If at all possible, use markers, string, and a level to keep things easy to read.
- Then, drain your pool. There is no way to fix your Intex pool if there is still water in it. You will need to drain the pool completely. Some
- Place blocks of wood underneath the lowered portion of your Intex pool. Many people prefer to put the wood blocks underneath an additional platform (like a large non-splintery plywood piece) as a way to help prevent punctures to the pool’s liner.
- Then, make things easier on your pool by coating the entire area with an even layer of sand. Some even use Gorilla pool pads for this purpose. If your pool is on top of uneven concrete, you can use layers of foam to help even things out without making your pool uneven. Either way, you want something that makes your pool sit easily without bumps from the wood.
- Remeasure your pool’s evenness and adjust as necessary. If your pool is still uneven, you may need to readjust everything. Once everything is alright, skip to step five.
- Refill your Intex pool with water. I know, it’s a hassle, but at least you now have a safer pool.
Should You Hire A Professional To Level Your Intex Pool?
Honestly, it might be hard to find a professional who is willing to tinker around with an Intex pool. If you find one, though, there’s no harm in having them do it for you. Most of the time, you can level your Intex pool on your own, even if you’re not exactly a DIY guru. However, a lot of people find the work that it requires to be annoying or exhausting, So, hiring a handyman will make this easier and no one will judge you for it.
How Much Would It Cost To Get Your Intex Pool Professionally Installed?
If you want to avoid the headache of trying to re-level the pool, the best way to handle things is to go through professional installation. Thankfully, this actually isn’t that expensive. Most firms will charge between $300 to $600 to install an Intex pools. Some may also charge an additional fee of $100 for re-leveling purposes. Either way, it’s a lot less of a headache to go the pro route.
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Related Questions
Why do Intex pools become uneven?
A lot of the time, it has to do with improper installation. If you don’t level the floor it’s on, it’ll end up slowly shifting into an uneven position. Other times, it’s just because the ground underneath isn’t as firm a foundation as you would hope. As people splash around, the ground can shift and the pool will settle. As it settles, it will become increasingly uneven.
How much does an Intex pool usually cost?
It depends on the size of the pool, really. Most Intex inflatable pools are going to be between $200 to $1000 to buy. This does not include accessories that you may need to keep the pool sanitary throughout the summer.
Can you install an Intex pool anywhere?
Intex pools aren’t for every home. They do best on even (duh!) outdoor areas that are not near any trees or jagged rocks. If you live in an area near a lot of bears or deer, you might end up having them harm your pool. Thankfully, that’s fairly rare. Any type of area that involves proximity to electricity should also be out of the question.
Ossiana Tepfenhart is an expert writer, focusing on interior design and general home tips. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. Her interests include art and real estate investments.
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