Thinking cap time again (AKA another of my hairbrained schemes)

peternap · March 31, 2009, 04:15:17 PM

We have an18' round above ground pool. I had to take it down to take out a tree. It's old and I decided I would replace it. I also want a bigger one

I looked at liners and can get a 33' X 18' oval liner for about $400 dollars.

I don't see any reason I can't make a frame for it myself. Instead of the flimsy tubular frame my old one has, why can't I get out the post hole digger and use 4x4's around the perimeter, line it with some kind of sub wall, line that with pink foam insulation, put some kind of perimeter band around the top (I was thinking of the wide straps tow trucks use), build a deck off of the frame, add a lap liner....and smile all the way to the bank..

Ideas...Ideas...Ideas

MountainDon · March 31, 2009, 05:10:15 PM

The biggest difference in going from a round pool to an oval pool is that an oval of 33 x 18 would have a 15 foot length of straight wall on each side. Those straight sections need to be well braced against spreading. We used to have a similar sized Doughboy above ground oval pool. I don't think a post in the ground without a brace will remain plumb. Ours had a buttress-like angled leg with a horizontal leg that was buried and anchored with three concrete blocks per leg. I don't have a picture, unfortunately.

March 31, 2009, 05:45:43 PM

Quote from: MountainDon on March 31, 2009, 05:10:15 PM
The biggest difference in going from a round pool to an oval pool is that an oval of 33 x 18 would have a 15 foot length of straight wall on each side. Those straight sections need to be well braced against spreading. We used to have a similar sized Doughboy above ground oval pool. I don't think a post in the ground without a brace will remain plumb. Ours had a buttress-like angled leg with a horizontal leg that was buried and anchored with three concrete blocks per leg. I don't have a picture, unfortunately.

Trying to figure the pressure areas on this is giving me a headache Don. Assuming an equal water level on both sides, the band at the top should prevent spreading. That said, I had already thought of the braces and they don't increase the cost a great deal and add a tremendous safety margin...so they just went into the plans. Thanks!

StinkerBell · March 31, 2009, 05:49:40 PM

Why always round or oval? What about an octagon?

ScottA · March 31, 2009, 06:29:35 PM

Keep us posted Peter. I may want to do something similar.

March 31, 2009, 06:43:21 PM

Quote from: StinkerBell on March 31, 2009, 05:49:40 PM
Why always round or oval? What about an octagon?

There are more seams to weld in a square or rectangle.

I will Scott. I just talked to a liner manufacturer and can get the liner for $339.00, DELIVERED.

MountainDon · March 31, 2009, 07:31:35 PM

how many mils?

peternap · March 31, 2009, 08:09:01 PM

Quote from: MountainDon on March 31, 2009, 07:31:35 PM
how many mils?

25

MountainDon · March 31, 2009, 08:22:41 PM

Great liner. That's what we had. They can stretch out for a nice deep end; as much as 7 feet IIRC.

peternap · March 31, 2009, 08:55:24 PM

I built a filter out of 55 gallon drums last year, that lets me fill it from the creek. There's really no cost to keeping the thing going other than chemicals. The creek water is high in iron but I was able to adjust that.

Crystal clear after filtering, then the sand filter takes over. We bought the biggest sand fukter we could find so it will handle that size pool easily.