The Three Biggest Mistakes Pool Owners Make When Installing an Oval Pool

Without wasting time, let’s just get down to business.

Mistake #1: Not Positioning the Side Braces Correctly

There are so many different styles of oval pools that it’s hard to be specific here, but in most cases, following the instructions every step of the way will pay off.

Your most important goals are to place all the keys and square them up before you start digging. Dig what you need, without digging too much. The less the back is filled, the better.

The oval pool side brackets must be perfectly level, front and back. They should all be square from side to side and on one side they should all be touching a string line. Only then should the dirt around them be repackaged.

An oval pool starts to look really weird when the braces on one side are not at right angles to the braces on the opposite side. It starts to look even more fun when one side isn’t straight, like when it rests flush on a string. That would mean the other side is not straight either. If they go up and down a little bit, and in and out a little bit, things start to look really weird.

Proper use of a laser level, string line, and tape measure will take care of this common mistake.

Mistake #2: Not properly covering pressure plates and straps

I have been answering pool questions online for many years and am always amazed at how often I am asked about nicks in the liner around the booster assemblies right inside the pool. This can be a major problem, meaning the pool is not safe and needs to be drained before it can be repaired. The lining cannot sit on the bare metal of anything, there must be a cushion.

The problem is usually soil settling around the channels of the braces or pressure plates. The weight of the water when the pool is full is tremendous, what you put under it has to be solid. This means not only backfilling around the brace assemblies, but also packing them solidly. If necessary, water, wait and pack some more.

The other mistake is not covering the pressure plates with enough sand. Some of these things are big and they all have sharp edges. They are very important to the integrity of a pool and cannot be neglected, but they must be well covered. Remember, the weight of the water increases as the pool fills, whatever is on those plates will compress. The sand will not only be compressed, but will also move into large openings, such as those created at the ends of pressure plates.

Make sure the side support assemblies are well packed and well covered.

Mistake #3: Not properly locking the side straps

Have I already mentioned water weight? Yes I have, and it pushes on the pool walls just like it pushes on the ground. This is why it is important to use a concrete block under the back of each brace. Just as important, these blocks must be placed perfectly level and on firm ground.

I also mentioned the side gussets that go in and out when looking towards the side of the pool. While the clamps may look fine before adding water, if the blocks are not solid and level, the clamps will come off when the pool fills and will never come off the same. This leaves the pool side going in and out. This is not a good professional look.

If you are attempting to install an oval above ground pool on your own, be sure to take the time to properly position the side supports. The posts that line the sides of your pool will make or break the bottom line.