No Need for Digging or Permits with An Intex Pool
Written: Jul 30 '04
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Pros: No permits, or digging required, sturdy, and durable.
Cons: costs a bit to set it up initially.
The Bottom Line: If you want an above ground pool but don't want all the hassles associated with one, this is a good alternative.
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| daddym's Full Review: Intex Easy Set Pools |
If you like having a pool around for hot summer days but don’t want the hassle of a regular above ground pool, or a built in pool, but still want something to wade in that uses a pump this is a great alternative. This durable yet inflatable pool comes up to about the lower waist of most adults, and is an excellent height for most kids that are aprox. 4 feet tall it comes up to just about chest lever (lower chest). The pools comes in several different sizes. Ours is the 24”. We have had ours out now for the 3rd year and it is still holding up quite well. It has even with stood having a dog jump on it once.
This pool costs around $300 and is much like a regular above ground pool in the fact that it requires a pump and that you still need to use chemicals to keep it clean. This is fine with me, I would much rather have a nice clean pool, that is free of bacteria.
In case you were wondering you have a choice of color for the pool, you can choose blue, or blue, ok there is no choice in color, but who cares really.
Setting up the pool is not that difficult and the pool comes with a video to show you how. It also comes with a pump package, a ground cover and a ladder. After making sure the ground is level, you lay down the ground cover. Then you place the pool on top of it and begin to add air to the pool. You will need some kind of special air pump or compressor, you will not be able to blow this one up with your mouth (duh) and a bicycle pump will not cut it either unless maybe you are Hercules, and if you are stay away from wife, please. The first time we tried to fill it we used an old vacuum with an attachment which blew air out instead of sucking it in. Blowing this pool up was a bit much for that vacuum though and after it nearly over heated we decided we had better just go out and purchase something more suitable for the job. So off we went and spent another $80.00 for a compressor pump.
You mainly blow up the ring part and then begin adding water the walls go up with the water. Don’t expect to swim in your pool the same day you set it up unless your hose has the power of Niagra Falls it takes several hours to fill up the pool. You then need to treat it with chemicals, and you probably don’t want to get in the pool with freshly added chemicals unless you hate having color on things like your bathing suit and hair, and really its not all that great for your skin either.
After everything is all full and you have your chemicals at a safe level you can then assemble your ladder and add it to your pool. Of course you could have assembled your ladder at any time but I thought this was a good way to mention that you have to assemble the ladder, but don’t worry it’s pretty easy. If I can do it, you can.
Now you are ready to swim. But don’t think you are done caring for the pool. You will need to make an additional investment of a Chlorine floater thing, this is that thing that you put a chlorine tablet in and it floats all around the pool, distributing the contents of the tablet. You can buy the bigger sized tablets, where you only use one or the smaller ones where you use several that is up to you. You will also need algaecide, and some purifier. You will also need to check your water regularly to make sure it is balanced so guess what you get to invest in a PH tester.
Total cost to set up and maintain a $300.00 pool the first year $470.00. Maintenance supplies will cost you about $80 or $90 per year depending on how often you use your pool and other factors such as the environment and weather, if it rains a lot you could have some problems, and how clean people are when they use your pool, and weather or not things like leaves get in your pool or if like our pool ducks like to occasionally land there. By the way that total cost includes a gathering net, to clean the pool out.
So there you have it this pool is nearly as much work as a regular above ground pool, and costs just slightly less to maintain it. But with this one you do have advantage of taking it down in the winter time by just draining it, and deflating it. You also don’t have to worry about permits and stuff like that. You also don’t have to dig out the ground below it and add sand like a regular above ground pool. You just need to make sure you have level ground.
There is also a cover that you can purchase for the pool, but I did not purchase it so I can not tell you much about it. I was kind of annoyed by all the costs the first year we bought it and refused to by the cover, because I didn’t want to spend a single penny more. Now that I know the pool has some lasting power, I may invest in it. If I do, I will certainly let you know more about the cover.
The Width of the pool is approximately the size of two average sized adults, laying flat and across it. I know that sounds silly but I couldn’t think of any better way to describe it.
The pull is made of a very durable material. It looks similar to some other inflatable pools but it is much thicker and much more durable. It even has a little give to it. So if you have a drunk uncle who trips and falls on the side of the pool, he may let some water out but he will not damage the sides of the pool. He may be need help getting out though, because though it is not a terribly deep pool, and drunk person may have difficulty getting out of it if they were to fall in it backwards. You may think I am just trying to be funny but all three years we have had the pool up at least someone has somehow managed to fall in the pool, when they were moving backwards and not paying attention to where they were walking. Funny yes, but this can be dangerous.
This brings me to children, although the pool is not terribly deep it is deeper than your average blow up pool so please never leave children un-attended and if a child does not know how to swim make sure you put them in some kind of safety swimming device. We keep several pairs of arm floaties around for small children who use our pool. The pool is big enough that you could have a couple of small inner tubes. You could also lay on a raft but others will not be able to really swim and play around you very well.
Although the initial investment of this pool was kind large, I can say that over all we have been pleased. It is very durable, easy to set up, easy to maintain, and does not require any special preparation other than making sure you have level ground. As long as children and drunks are supervised you should have many happy years in your Intex pool.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 300+
Type of Toy: Other
Age Range of Child: Whole Family
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Epinions.com ID:
daddym
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Member: Robert M
Location: IL
Reviews written: 123
Trusted by: 31 members
About Me:
Husband, Father, Pet Owner, Computer Geek and Motorcycle Enthusiast, poker player.
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