Hi. Hence my question on the insulation foam board. While reading this, take in a breath, hold it, now exhale as you read these words. I just installed today as a DIY and my build went so smooth. Just setup my first ever pool (15 round, steel wall) and filled it up. Scrape off any loose pieces of rust and firmly poke those areas. If you watched me do it, you might think that something is going to break or that I might disturb the coving inside the pool. Learn about what cove is here Since the pool is full of water, youll be able to look at the waterline and reference it to the liners tile pattern or the distance to the top rails. How far north do you live? The liner was replaced for the first time two years ago because of two small holes. Looking for an inexpensive way to repair the wall to our 18 ft Above Ground Pool. Do we need to take it all down and start over? It only has a shaping value (not structural). NOTE: Measuring from top rail to top rail across may not give you accurate measurements for determining if the pool is round or symmetrical. In this video, we go over the facts on whether you should buy Youll have to move away the bottom cove in that area so the wall piece can fit right up against the existing wall from top to bottom. The water will be a higher pressure and if they blow out when no one is looking they can lower a pool in seconds. Step 2: Use your pool steps to place it in a location where the water in the bucket and the pool water outside the bucket are at about the same level. As you look at the pool, reference the top rails closest to you to the ones farthest. The bottom tracks of above ground swimming pools have to be assembled by sliding them into connectors. Nothing is precise so there are adjustable gaps in the connectors and the track doesnt sit perfectly in them either. The result is the track can easily become a shape other than what it is supposed to be. Install a hose going from the skimmer to the pump inlet first. Pool Installation, AGP Help Center Depending on your type of liner and pool it may be as simple as dragging the liner over and around the pool wall or just on top. The wall is now back on the track but a lot of the dirt and sand was moved around. Take care. Took all summer and during that time all kinds off pebbles and sticks blew into my sand so now Im sifting through all that and leveling it back out. This will make sure the pool body does not flex and help lock it in place as the pool fills. I bought a new liner last year and ended up getting a hole in it due to the rust spots. Once the wall is back in the track be sure to pack soil under the rail to keep it up where it should be. If the rust holes are closer to the bottom of the pools wall, then thats worse and should possibly require more than just a simple patch job. If you have tried and cant get it. Thanks. Upgraded Protective Krystal Kote Polyester Painted Walls. One of those things is that swimming pools leak. Some of them are very prone to the track pieces coming off of the wall between connector plates. I dont charge any extra to install foam coving. Or at least thatll be what you think youll do until you try to find a replacement wall. by Laura Mae (Decaturville, Tn) I have an 18 x 33 above ground pool. Its been a day or two and you notice that a portion of the bottom track of the pool is out and away from the wall. Over the years Ive tried to repair damaged pool walls in many ways. You may not. $1300 is not worth it. The reason for this is not because its too expensive, looks bad, or doesnt hold. This is not an easy repair, but works well when done right. It has been here for years, but I noticed that on one side the pool walls are out of the bottom track. Im in the Chicagoland area and would be happy to provide the company name. I would for sure check to make sure the ground is level in the area you are having problems. WebA swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, paddling pool, or simply pool, is a structure designed to hold water to enable swimming or other leisure activities. There are three ways to tell how level a pool is when its up. Because I dont want a call back from a customer two days later when they looked down, saw that a piece of track wasnt attached to the bottom of the wall, and then think that I did a poor job of installing their pool. Your email address will not be published. Use a water level or transit and move contiunously It was way off to the left of my house and my wife wanted it behind the house. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'refreshoutdoors_com-leader-1','ezslot_10',116,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-refreshoutdoors_com-leader-1-0');This is something you have to consider when it comes to doing things the right way. How bad is it? In this situation, youll have to be more forceful to get the track to snap into the wall. If installed properly, each of these bottom connectors will have a leveling block underneath them. This step consists of leveling the ground and removing all sharp objects on the ground. This can happen for a couple of reasons. This is the quickest method to tell if a pool is off level. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. Upon seeing this, you get a sinking feeling in your stomach. I would instead dig around the track that you are taking out and maybe remove one of the leveling blocks on one side to make downward room to remove the old piece and install the new one. You can fix it if you want in a few years when its time to change the liner and the pool is empty. Everything ElseAbove Ground Pool. Im in the Chicagoland area as well. The bottom track of an above-ground pool has very little to no structural value. This would require completely draining the pool, removing the liner, and maybe even taking the wall back down. Step 3: Mark the level inside the bucket. You either have to replace the pool wall or the whole pool. This is what will keep the pool from collapsing. Any help / guidance would be greatly appreciated. During the now 37 years of being in the pool business, I have only learned a couple of things for absolute certainty. I think it is about 20 inches in between the 2 uprights. If its off-level, you will see it fairly clearly. This way the track couldnt sag down and away from the wall. This is best understood by tilting a glass of water. Now I am realizing I might have messed up cause I installed the wall tracks over compacted sand instead of more solid ground. It is also a good idea to invest in some angled foam to install at the inside edge of the bottom rail. The post right near the jumped track is off the ground a little but. it is common for this to happen depending on how long the pool has been in its spot. It is very important that you are lined up to the holes through the pool body or you will have a leak. And with the other five percent of pools out of their bottom tracks, theyre usually very visibly off to where you know something is seriously wrong. I totally freaked out, didnt know what to do and with the better half off from work , no new pool for us this year. If only the wall lifted, then I agree with having to take the liner out and try to get the wall to go down (which wont at all be easy and may need to come down first). You can use a sharpie marker or a grease pen. Its fine either way as the wall cannot move downward. If you mean around the ends of the pool (radiuses) and you didnt put leveling blocks under each upright, then the wall may be out of level where you dug. WebHere are the most common reasons why liners come off the track: Theres excess water and air between the pool shell and liner, necessitating liner pull. Measure a few different areas across the pool from inside of the wall to inside of the wall. This type of repair can easily cause cove damage. There are two main ways a pool gets built out of shape. You may want to take off an upright or two when doing this so you can see the track and bottom connector better. You might have to drain and take liner out for this. If putting the wall back into the track does not fix the wall problem I would investigate the problem. When I started installing above-ground pools 35 years ago, I was installing four or five Wilbar models that Recreational Factory Warehouse sold. Pool Filters Some failed. If the pool is off more than an inch though, youll be able to see it with the liner pattern regardless. We just finished building our above ground pool and i just noticed (!) Overall, we recommend the Intex Rectangular Ultra XTR Frame Above Ground Pool with Sand Filter Pump as the best above-ground pool. It can be intimidating to be shaking things directly next to all that pool water. Your email address will not be published. The track still looks in good shape at the uprights on either side, and the pool still seems to be level and generally round, and its about half full of water at the moment. My brother brought his tractor over and took the highest ground out and then we leveled by hand the remaining little bit. For my own peace of mind I did decide to dig out the sand right up to the wall track (being careful to leave alone what was under it so the cove didnt fall out), and replaced it with packed 1/2- gravel. First off, take a look at the pool from a distance. Then, take your skimmer body and have someone hold it up on the outside of the pool at the gasket and screw it together, sandwiching the liner in between. If the liner is already in, then see how off level the wall may be and decide if you want to live with it. We didnt bother leveling these small pieces of block with blocks under each upright. Its not easy to get just a replacement wall for an above ground pool as manufacturers dont like to provide them for models which are more than a couple of years old. Is this anomaly a concern? Do we need to take the liner back out or is there a way fix with out sucking the water out and removing liner? I know this sounds ridiculous to those readers who think they know things. Ideally you will want a 2 to 4 layer of sand to form a soft bed so that in the event the liner does get pushed (think heels kicking into the bottom of the pool or the weight of the water), it will only go into sand and not any potential twig or foreign object in the dirt. This part will require the help of one or two other people. If not, add a few handfuls at a time. You would normally have to go through the manufacturer to get a wall replacement to buy or through warranty coverage. My metal wall is buckeling at one if the uprights. For aboveground pools, track repair or replacement is simpler, but still a difficult task to be avoided. The steps mentioned in the above article or in this guide would work for your rusty wall issue: How To Repair Rusty Pool Walls. Resin: Top & Bottom Connectors. This is when it could become increasingly wobbly and might fall apart on you. If you get a measurement difference of six inches or so, then the pool is pretty severely out of shape and thats probably why the wall came out of the track when the pool filled with water. I verified this not by using a computer and mathematics (which can be grossly inaccurate in the real world). Simply click here to return to. Put your hose inside the pool and fill it up a few inches to settle the liner. We used laser level during excavation but apparently missed a spot. That way, it wont allow it to bulge out with water pressure pushing against it. We just got our new pool, and It started lifting out of the tracks on about 4 ft on one side of the pool. Nationwide Above Ground Pool Installer List. It is important for them to remain intact even if this issue arises. If the pool is level, then the foreground top rails will line up with the background ones. 
Once done, make sure the connectors are secure. Take a screw driver and put it through both holes and with a combination of shaking, shimmying, and muscle, the wall will line up. We just got out liner in and started filling and noticed a 2 ft section of wall popped out of bottom track! If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Now that the ground is flat, it is time to install the bottom track of the pool. Install the return fitting in the same manner and then cut out the remaining liner in the skimmer mouth to create the opening. That is super rare. I would set the laser up high enough to be able to check the level of the top rails. Great article. I do this only to protect the new liner Im about to install from the rust as this repair adds no strength to the wall. Should I drain the pool and make the adjustments as needed or is there a way to pull the wall back out to the track with it filled..thank you. I have an 18 x40 above ground pool that is about 15 years old. With the pool cut into the ground we plan to back fill with weeping tile and dirt (stone dust). When using the internet to research what to buy or how to do something, we are all looking for the one site that's opinions arent influenced by some sales agenda. Make an embankment of 6 against the wall to help disperse the pressure created from the water pushing against the pool. All the rest of the pool is in excellent shape no rust . Worst-case Scenario. **(The base consists of compacted level earth, patio tiles under each leg, and 2-3 compacted sand level with tops of tiles everywhere else), If you applied a proper coving, then you wont have to worry about this. We cant find anyone to do the repairs as they are all too busy this year. Only the middle of a piece of bottom track. This A 1/2 inch variance around the circumference of the pool. To extend the lifespan of the sidewall for a few more years, size some aluminum flashing to the sidewall panels -- 12- to 18-inch flashing often does the trick. We are here to help you with information and advice on pool maintenance, pool repairs and swimming pool building. With over 300,000 members, TFP is the largest and most influential pool & spa website on the Internet. I have an 18 ft round that somehow got a smaller than a nickel size slit in the metal wall. The final step to installing the pool body is to install the top rail. This should be addressed. Above-ground pools are rarely perfectly shaped (round). This has turned into a nightmare. Does the wall look tilted inward or tilted outward as if its not perfectly vertical everywhere? Quick, go out and find a soft-sided above-ground pool. I emailed you with info on how to get the photos to me. It is ok to elevate the bottom track with sand if needed. Thats right. One issue people report is when the above ground pool wall comes out of the track. it rose only on the side about 1.5 which means the top plate no longer can reach the upright side supports. I found a guy that can repair it but my concern is the winter and the water freezing and pushing on the smalll repaired section. In general, if it has come off near the connection point then this could be a problem. If you have a pool wall that has rusted away badly, my advice is to get a new pool to replace the wall and frame completely. I had this dilemma. After the filter is set up, you can start connecting everything together. The walls never jumped the track. The liner should look uniform on the hook the entire way around the pool, otherwise it is at risk of wrinkling and unhooking. If you werent successful at getting the track back under the wall everywhere, dont be too upset about it. You will realize the track piece is not moving anymore and that is going to make it easier to rely on how the above ground swimming pool is going to do. Use your test strips to determine how much of what you will need, and add accordingly. At that point, make sure that there is water inside the pump basket, the multiport is still set to filter," and all valves if any are in the open position. Top Seat: 6 Galvanized Steel. He has 15 professional certifications and is pursuing a career in building engineering. Larry, Construction, Rebuilds, Fixtures & Physical Pool Problems, Swimming Pool Water Maintenance & Pool Water Problems, Pool Surface Staining & Discolored Pool Water, Pool Chemical Problems & Swimming Pool Chemicals, Skimmers, Jets, Lighting & Other Pool Fixtures, Salt Water Chlorine Generators, Ozone, UV. It took more money than buying a new pool, but the pool companies wouldnt install a new pool because I have a deck around most of the circumference. We have had all different advice from dont use it til it is repaired as it isnt safe to use it for the summer as is and repair it next year. This is a sign of good things to come and that you are on the right track. I would jump off a cliff if this doesnt work. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Push The Track Piece Up And Back. It is being practiced by thousands of pool owners just like you. Thanks Psy:). If a leak is coming out of a fitting, shut down the pool, use your channel locks to remove the fitting, add Teflon tape to the threads, wrapping in the same direction as the threads and install. Hi, and thanks for great information! The blocks should be level with the track so everything lines up once the wall and top rail are installed. Will this be ok? And its at any of these points (track piece between each leveling block) that the track can sag down and drop below the wall. The broken track is still attached at both ends just flattened in the middle. If the screwdriver pokes completely through the wall, then thats not good. A google search of the pool manufacturers name with wall replacement should bring up some good leads. Most companies are fully booked catching up to last years demand for new pool installs. Darlene. Finally, install the last hose going from the filter output to the return fitting and plug in the pump, making sure the multiport is set to filter." You do not want this to happen, which is why you will want to take the time to check the connectors. We used a 4 ft level taped to a 10 ft board to go around in a circle to check for levelness. Thanks! After that, all you have to do is wait. In most cases, the only right way to fix a severely off-level or out of round pool is to redo the bottom track. I freaked out a little, and then found this article. After all, the track is not a major requirement for holding the pool together but it can be depending on how bad it gets. Whats important here is the walls integrity. Theres a reason for the wall being out of the track. Notice how the water stays level regardless of how much you tilt the glass. A wall out of the track usually happens when the track sinks and becomes too low. So you decided to finally take the plunge and purchase an above ground pool but you dont know the first thing on how to install one. I do this every time Im coming up on a pool to repair it. A smaller screw driver to pry the wall out might be helpful. When your repairs are made, check the cove area on the inside of the pool. I usually tell the pool owner about it, tape some tin over it, install a new liner and it holds. ). Click here to shop our store. 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Create the opening side about 1.5 which means the top rail are installed forceful... An upright or two when doing this so you can see the track usually when. Is very important that you are lined up to last years demand new. With the background ones come and that you are on the Internet by tilting a of! It all down and start over leveling block underneath them companies are fully catching! Have to go through the wall the entire way around the circumference of the track so everything lines up the. Easily cause cove damage is to install foam coving step 3: Mark the level inside the.. Back down the liner should look uniform on the right track pool installs you the... Hook the entire way around the circumference of the pool manufacturers name with wall replacement to buy or through coverage. Pool from inside of the top plate no longer can reach the upright side supports where it be... This situation, youll have to go through the pool from inside of the pool inside. I bought a new liner last year and ended up getting a hole in it due to holes. And fill it up a few handfuls at a time easy repair, but i noticed that on one the... Lined up to last years demand for new pool installs i started installing above-ground pools 35 years,. Do is wait you can use a sharpie marker or a grease pen leveling block them... On a device will need, and then found this article is pursuing a in... Seeing this, you can see the track pieces coming off of the top plate longer! Of shape pool cut into the wall problem i would investigate the.! This type of repair can easily cause cove damage with weeping tile and dirt ( stone ). I have an 18 ft round that somehow got a smaller screw driver to pry the wall 18... Have messed up cause i installed the wall back into the track so everything lines once! I am realizing i might have messed up cause i installed the wall to help you with on...
