Intex 18' x 48" Easy Set Pool

Comments about Intex Recreation Corp. Intex 18' x 48" Easy Set Pool:

I had one of these for almost five years, finally the top ring gave in to dry rot. I'm getting another one for sure.
Drawbacks: the pump that comes with it is underpowered, the skimmer is awkward, and the hoses need to be replaced after about a year. The vacuum is difficult to attach since it goes on the end of the skimmer, and it can be tricky to get water flowing again once you shut off the pump and break the seal. The ladder is absolutely terrible - I would not let even children use it, it is very unstable and flimsy; I threw out the ladder and just go over the side - put a handful of water along the ring and slip right over. (That keeps little kids out as well.) The comments about needing level ground are completely accurate, especially with the easy set pools. Because of the flexible top ring, uneven water will press out and flip the ring down so water spills out, usually quite a lot of water. If it rains a great deal that's a self-emptying "feature". However, you do need to be aware of it and not let children climb on the ring - if they press down enough to get water started it will suddenly flip down and pour water out, which could frighten a child into breathing in the water instead of just moving aside out of the way, because it's a bit startling the first time you see it. However, adults can slip over the ring with no issues at all. Like I said, I had it that way for several years.

Pros: I got the saltwater chlorine generator, so I just clean the skimmer and filter every couple of weeks and keep a bag of salt handy for after it pours rain (that's florida for you). I don't take it down, since there's usually only a month or two where it's too chilly to swim. Perhaps I'll add a little solar heater next time to take care of that. All in all, if you just enjoy floating around in the sun without much hassle, this is a great pool. I wouldn't be too inclined to have it around a whole neighborhood of kids, just becaust of the inflatable ring that's its most vulnerable point, and because of the startling thing it can do with the lip flipping out if someone were horsing around on top of the ring, as kids tend to do.

Comments about Intex Recreation Corp. Intex 18' x 48" Easy Set Pool:

I TAKE SPECIAL CARE AND MAKE SURE IT STAYS CLEAN, WOOD DECK AROUND THE BOTTOM, SKIMMER, LADDERS ON TWO SIDES, LEAVE IT UP IN THE WINTER-KEEPING IT COVERED, ON LEVEL GROUND, ADHERE TO POSTED RULES AND WE HAVE A "POOL POTTY" ALSO AND A SHOWER! WE LIVE ACROSS FROM THE PUBLIC POOL! THE GRANDKIDS AND THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD FRIENDS STAY IN IT WITH US ON A DAILY BASIS! PUBLIC IS TOO STRICT AND COSTS TOO MUCH. I CANNOT COMPLAIN ABOUT ANYTHING, THIS IS OUR 9TH YEAR WITH IT UP, AND WE HAVE TWO SMALL PATCHES FROM THE CAT SOMEONE HAD TO THROW IN !!!! A NEW PUMP EVERY OTHER YEAR OR SO! IT SPARKLES ALL THE TIME! :)

Comments about Intex Recreation Corp. Intex 18' x 48" Easy Set Pool:

You get the bang for the buck here folks. One issue I have with the description...48" to me means 48" high of water not to the top of the ring. If they made the ring with a heavier product it would be the ultimate. It's been great and easy to keep clean and I totally recommend this to anyone with a family that wants to beat the heat cheap. Good going Intex.

Comments about Intex Recreation Corp. Intex 18' x 48" Easy Set Pool:

We have had 3 of these pools in the past 7 years and worth every penny. The first 2 sprang leaks mostly due to not properly storing them in the winter. They are very easy to set up but you must have level ground. We upgraded to the salt water system which has made it almost maintanence free. When it rains you may need to add extra salt. We just keep a bag on hand. Easier then adding chemicals to keep the pool clean. My kids ages 10 and 12 swim for hours everyday. We have had up to 12 kids at a time and many like our pool as much as the ingrounds that may need more parent supervision. My husband and I enjoy the pool too. Great for cooling off after yard work or any time you want to jump in. Clean, dry, and store properly and you should get several years of summer fun!

Comments about Intex Recreation Corp. Intex 18' x 48" Easy Set Pool:

I've owned 5-6 of these pools over the past 15 years and have always been very satified with them. Started out with a 12', moved up 2 years later to a 15' and 2 years after that to the 18'. The 18' is perfect for kids and adults. It allows you the pleasure for having a pool without the year-round hassle of pool maintenance. But don't fool yourself, owning and maintaining one involves pretty much the same requirements that any larger pool has. It needs regular skimming, cleaning, filtering, vacuuming, and chemicals. I realized almost immediately that the pump and filter system Intex includes with the pool are undersized if you plan to leave the pool up for more than 1-2 weeks, so I purchased and adapted a larger pump (1/2 HP) and cartridge filter (60 sqft) that keep the pool looking and running great. I also use a chlorine tablet floater (1" tablets)to maintain a good residual chlorine level in the water. On the advice of a good pool guy I also added a 80-sqft Fafco solar heater that has worked great for 10 years now. It has made the pool as hot as 91F, which is too hot for a cool afternoon swim, but great for a late night swim when the Southern California air cools off. Its almost jacuzzi like. Its great to be able to enjoy a pool during the summer and then take it down in the off season. I generally leave mine up for 3 months each year (mid-June to mid-Sept)and expect at least 3 seasons from each pool before it wears out due to exposure to the sun and pool chemicals. Pay attention to the statements in other reviews about needing a (close to) level surface to set it up and taking care when taking it down and storing it for the offseason, both are very true in my experience. Lastly, perhaps the most telling comment I ever got on the pool came recently from a good friend of my now 18-year old daughter who said, "Is your pool up yet? I have always loved that pool."

Comments about Intex Recreation Corp. Intex 18' x 48" Easy Set Pool:

Bought this pool in the heat of 100+ the other week. It's a great buy and the size is almost perfect to keep the family cool during the heat. Well, Last year had a 10X30 but saw this 18X45 and thought the kids who are bigger would love this. Was fearful about the setup and maintenance but I was able to set this pool up myself. I was worried about the groud level as part of my yard is somewhat level then starts sloping down 20' out. As I was filling the pool, I was also eyeing the floor to insure I kept it flat and out as much a possible to not have that wrinkle effect when filled. I would say level wise, one side was full and the other side just about 2" off but it's not the end of the world and we love using it!!
Only comments I would make are: 1. Wish it was DEEPER! Meaning I thought 48" meant 48" of water, not 36" water and top ring went up to 48", but then again, cost goes up. 2. The floating skimmer, wish it was bigger so when not in use and utilizing, would cover more top water space and clean quicker, but overall, no complaints. 3. Waiting for the water bill. This pool takes just under 5,400 gallons of water so don't be too surprise if the water bill come out high due to this.
Other then that, ME AND MY FAMILY ARE VERY HAPPY WITH IT. HINT: COVER NIGHTLY SO THE WATER STAYS CLEAN, KEEPS BUGS AND OTHER LEAVES OUT AND BI-WEEKLY CHECK WATER FOR PH LEVELS AND ETC, AS WELL AS CLEANING THE FILTER IN THE PUMP.
Consider I wanted to put in a semi above ground pool with a deck and not financially stable at the moment, I would recommend this pool! Overall: HAPPY.
One last minor fear, end of season empyting all that water and folding it up to put away will be a pain and then take out again seasonly but hey, NO WORK, NO PLAY.

Comments about Intex Recreation Corp. Intex 18' x 48" Easy Set Pool:

The ground has to be extremely level. We lost our first fill up but then made things work the second time around. When we brought our pool out this summer, we found huge mouse holes in the bottom of the pool and several ones in the inflatable ring. Be sure you put your pool away some place safe where mice can't go. We wish we had never purchased this pool. It would be perfect though if you have level ground and no mice.

Comments about Intex Recreation Corp. Intex 18' x 48" Easy Set Pool:

We bought this pool in 2006! We used it through the summer of 2011! It finally started to show it's ware at the end of last summer! For the money we spent and to get that many summers out of it, we knew that this year we would purchase it again!! Great product...my kids range from the ages of 18years down to two years....fun for everyone!!! P.S. My husband is very careful how he puts it away each year....completely clean and dry! It is a lot of work but totally worth it!!

Comments about Intex Recreation Corp. Intex 18' x 48" Easy Set Pool:

we have used this product for the past 8 years. you can fit at least 5 full size nice rafts in this pool for laying out. this pool more than pays for itself. I agree with other comments that you must have a level surface first before filling the pool. a helpful hint... if you realize your ground is not as level as you had thought once the pool is up and half way full. we used sandbags along the bottom edge of the pool to help level it out. works great. also a great tip... the mr. clean majic erasers work well to easily whipe the outside of the pool and the ring down. one last thing. duck tape is awesome for small holes. our pools last 2 to 3 years. must take down properly and dry it out and put in a shed to store in the winter.

Comments about Intex Recreation Corp. Intex 18' x 48" Easy Set Pool:

Got pool thur. before Mem Day week end. Keeping four grandkids. Three yr. old was excited helping me set up and fill the pool. Top ring will not hold air. Deflated during the night lost nearly all the water. No service over the week end. Disappointed grand kids.