You can also choose whether to clean and store your pool during the off season, or let it winter in place. Intex has two types of swimming pool — Easy Set and Oval Frame — that require an air pump to set up as they feature an inflatable ring on the top edge of the pool. Use the Intex brand manual air hand pump or any other regular air pump to inflate; avoid high-pressure air pumps such as air compressors, which can cause damage to the pool. A dirty filter cannot be washed, only replaced. Some high end models use a sand filter with a saltwater system. For this type of filter, it only needs to be swapped out every 5 years.
You do need to add your own salt but the helpful instructions provided by Intex tell you just how much salt to add with their system and how to maintain a saltwater pool. For something easy to set up that is big enough for adults to use, try the Summer Waves Inflatable Above Ground Pool with Filter Pump. It has a ten-foot diameter and is big enough for the entire family to enjoy. One of the best parts of this pool other than its affordable price is how easy and quickly you can start swimming.
If the area where you plan to set it up is uneven, you might need to level it out. Clear the area of any hard objects like rocks or branches, as well as particularly hardy grasses like St. Augustine or Bermuda that can actually grow through the vinyl liner. Many Intex models come with a ground cloth to lay down before you set up the pool, which helps protect the vinyl. If your pool doesn’t come with a ground cloth, you can purchase one separately or use a heavy-duty tarp instead. The Intex pools made for kids are the smallest the company offers. They’re designed to accommodate just a few children and an adult for supervision.
Given its simple design and DIY construction, your Intex pool probably won’t have some of the more advanced problems you might encounter with other pools. Alas, no pool’s perfect, and you might find yourself with a torn liner, a malfunctioning filter pump, or a broken support pole, to name a few examples. Small robotic pool cleaners work well with all Intex pools, except the Easy Set. Robotic pool cleaners and inflatable pools do not compute. Replace the cartridge filter at least once a year, or when you open and close it if you store your pool during the off season.
Intex inflatable vinyl pools offer the easiest setup of all their models, though these pools aren’t the most durable. The pools are made entirely of vinyl, so you only have to inflate the top ring and add water. Intex inflatable vinyl pools come in a variety of sizes that can usually accommodate up to six people. Because they are less sturdy or durable than pools with frames, they’re best used simply for cooling off and light play. Intex pools often include cartridge filters and pumps as well, which makes it easy to get swimming sooner.
Use a pool shock with a decent amount of available chlorine, and run your filtration system after you shock your pool. The water might appear cloudy after you shock, but will clear as it’s filtered. Like their bigger cousins, these models have a powder-coated steel frame that’s designed to fit together without bulky extra pins.
If you don’t have one, install your own above ground pool in your yard. At Target, you get a wide range of options for you to choose from and these are a great alternative to ground swimming pools. The first thing you need to consider is the frame of the pool. Steel frames are durable and sturdy, resin frames are resistant to rust, corrosion and oxidation. Next up is the size, it usually depends on the size of your backyard but there might be restrictions by local municipalities. Along with the size, decide the depth and the shape depending on who’s using it.
These pumps move around the pool automatically, crawling along floors and climbing walls, removing debris and dirt as they go. Some are so sophisticated they can “see” the pool’s surfaces and dimensions, ensuring they don’t intex baby float miss a spot. Robotic vacuums typically run off of rechargeable batteries. Sand filters are among the most popular options because they work well and are inexpensive. Sand filtration systems have large tanks that hold sand.