The Intex 12' Easy Set Pool Has Made Our Summer!
Written: Jul 21 '03 (Updated Jul 29 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: fast, easy, inexpensive, durable and FUN!
Cons: none at all
The Bottom Line: Try it, you'll like it!!
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| MumMumMum's Full Review: Intex 12' Easy Set Pool Set |
Every summer my husband and I go shopping for a kiddie pool, something that will last, something that’s big enough for our kids, but not so big that it would take over our yard. We wanted something we could fill and leave, something with minimum maintenance, but maximum fun. We’ve failed miserably in the choices we’ve made prior to this summer. We’ve bought pools that are too small, pools that fall apart, pools that aren’t deep enough, and pools that are just unmanageable and require refilling every time you want to use it. This summer I decided that enough was enough. We had spent enough money on junk pools and it was time to think about something more permanent. The problem was we’d never had a “real” pool before, and although I swim I don’t swim well, and my children love water but weren’t swimmers yet either. But I really wanted a pool, something to keep the kids busy, something I could cool off in, and something that would give me a good idea if we really wanted to go the extra distance and get an above ground or inground pool in the future. So keeping all those factors in consideration we decided on the Intex 12’ Easy Set Pool.
What the heck is an Easy Set Pool?
So glad you asked! This is one of the best ideas I’ve ever seen when it comes to pools. Find a smooth level area in your yard where you want to set up the pool. Make sure you clean up all the rocks, sticks, and any other sharp objects in that area. The pool is made of latex-free vinyl, what Intex calls “Super-Tough” Vinyl, which Intex claims is highly resistant to damage from abrasion, impact and sunlight. Spread the pool out (we put ours on a tarp as well just for added protection from anything we might have missed, but I doubt that its necessary, and don’t worry about any digging or sand), and inflate the top ring. If you’re using an old bicycle tire pump circa 1880, it will take about an hour and a half to fill the top ring. If you’re using a sensible pump then it won’t take half as long. So now you have a big blue inflated donut in your yard. Some pool huh? Hold on there! You’re not done yet! Now fill the pool with water. As the water fills the pool the pool walls rise. Fill it until the water reaches just below the blue top ring, making the water approximately 20 inches deep. The whole pool is made of three separate layers. There are two outer layers of heavy-gauge PVC laminated to an inner layer of polyester mesh for extra reinforcement. This is an extremely durable pool. Our pool also came with an electric filter pump and pool cover. It’s quite easy to find and replace the filters in the pump, which you do need to do regularly. The pump is a 1/15hp, .5 amp pump, and it doesn't seem to have made any difference on our electric bill, even though we have it running almost continuously. The cord for the pump is quite long as well, 15-20 feet, and that gives us enough room to reach the outlet, but keeps it plenty far enough away from the pool. Our pool did not come with a ladder, but that was easy enough to pick up.
Now, if you think setting up this pool sounded difficult Intex has also supplied purchasers with an instructional video. So have no fear, watch the short video and you’ll have no problems with setting this pool up and enjoying it. All you’ll need in terms of tools for setting up the pool is a screwdriver for the filter pump. The pool also folds up (hopefully easily!) for off-season storage.
Our Thoughts
We absolutely love this pool! There's lots of room for us. We've had four kids aged 7-13 in the pool at the same time and there's still lots of room. I'm in there on one of my loungers with one or two kids swimming around me. The only time there's not enough room in the pool is when my seven and eleven year olds are in there alone...and there's not enough room in the world when they're together and sibling rivalry rears its ugly head! My seven and eleven year olds have been having the best time in this pool. My boy has actually gotten over his fear of water to the point where he has actually taught himself to swim underwater! My seven-year-old has just last week managed to accomplish the same thing! The Intex Easy Set Pool has created swimmers of two of my children, and its only a matter of time before BabyGirl “takes the plunge”. There are some things about the pool that potential purchasers should know. Because it’s not a hard-sided pool, there is a chance of spilling. And I don’t mean a little spill; I mean a full out flood. There’s a learning curve to this pool that takes a little time, but once you’ve got it figured out you’ll be happy as can be, floating in that lounger, drink in the cup holder…aaaah! Oh, back to the review! You do need to purchase a few other items, replacement filters, water test strips, chlorine, etc. But none of those items are going to break the bank, and it’s definitely worth the time and money to keep the pool crystal clear and safe to swim in. (Reviews on some of those items will be coming in the future.) If someone should fall onto or lean too hard on the side of the pool there is a good possibility that water will come pouring over the side. Yes, into your yard, and if you’re not quick about it you’ll soon find yourself surrounded by the mother of all mud puddles right in the middle of your back yard. This only happened to us once, and quick movement on my part brought the side back up to where it should be, holding the water in the pool instead of creating a waterfall into my back yard. This is also why you have to be sure you have a level area in which to place the pool. If not the water will be heading to the lowest point and that’s just where you might have a waterfall problem. So just taking a little time to do it right the first time and you’ll be happy all summer with this pool. I know I’m happy with it! This pool is easy to care for and maintain, and we’ve used it every single day this summer, (except for two days of thunderstorms), for hours and hours every day and evening. My kids are loving the pool, their friends are loving the pool, and I’m loving the pool knowing that we’ve made the right choice. My kids are happy, they’re home and not in trouble, their friends are here and I can see what’s going on.
I was never sure whether I wanted a “real” pool or not, not really sure we’d use it a lot or if we’d lose interest. This has been a great experiment in pool ownership. At first I was just tired of having to be out there all the time, tired of having all these kids over all the time, but now I’ve realized that its good having the house that my kids’ friends want to come to, that it’s a lot of fun out there in the sunshine, and that I really do want a “real” pool in the future. Until that time the Intex Easy Set Pool will stay in heavy use, until it moves to its home out at the beach for those “Mom, the beach is too freaking packed!” days!
Remember, never, never, never, leave your children unattended in a pool.
More Pool Related Reviews:
Swimways Easy Spring Lounge
Aqua Leisure SunSmart Hideaway Pool
Intex Pool Ladder
Intex Easy Set Pool Cover
Aqua Leisure Ultimate Pool Lounge
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): $170 Cdn
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Epinions.com ID:
MumMumMum
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Member: Beverley
Location: Canada
Reviews written: 290
Trusted by: 419 members
About Me:
So good to be home, but so very tired!
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