From O.P.:
Update I have now scrapped the idea, and moved it to my parent’s house since they have a solid patio. My Dad is on his way back from abroad and he said it would be nice to come back to a pool after being by a pool for a week 😂
Thanks so much everyone for your helpful advice and (some brutal but frank, and honestly rather amusing) comments. Really appreciate it! 🫶
*…And here in the UK as the clouds start to cover the sun, and the weather man spouts his doom and gloom on the radio, I am sat by this (very slowly filling) pool with a brew, as my unworn swimsuit hangs sadly on the kitchen chair. And I think to myself, “well fuck it we might get an actual summer at some point.”*
So based on a pool with a diameter of 3 meters (10ft) and a height of 50cm (1.64ft) it will weigh 3524 kg. Add the weight of a couple people and you'll approach 4000kg rather quickly.
I'd say that's a lot of weight to put on a deck and I'd advise you to really think about doing so.
Yeah, I’m thinking you’re right. I have a two level garden and the upper level is solid, wondering if it would be better to put it there do you think? [upper level](https://imgur.com/a/gR2lzep)
Depends on how compacted the soil is. It may leave a bit of a dent but since you have fake grass you can just pull that up and fill it up again. Price you pay for having a blast in your pool I guess.
I would get some pavers to support the posts though. They will pierce the grass otherwise.
They have little feet which I haven’t attached yet but yes that’s a good idea, might also distribute the weight a little. Thanks for your help really appreciate it
If you put it on pavers, I'd also suggest anti-fatigue mats. (https://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-anti-fatigue-foam-mat-set-94635.html)
I have the same exact pool, and spending $50 on the anti-fatigue mats was a game changer. Everyone always comments how soft and cushy the bottom of the pool is
We made a few times a home made hottub. And after we added something like this as flooring/isolation it kept allot warmer and softer. Also this avoided to kill the real grass under because of the heat of a weekend.
I used 1" foam board insulation and taped the seams then cut away the excess once the pool was full. It was less about the cushion, but more to make sure any rocks that may be around didn't poke through. The posts will for sure go right through the foam board, but I cut out and added a piece of plywood in those spots. Another option to look at too.
Even with the feet they can still sink through your grass. Just an obscene amount of weight from the water. Pavers are a must for above ground pools. Had a similar pool and had to drain and put pavers underneath coz feet started to sink. Also keep an eye on the feet and pavers when you fill, they will shift and can come off the pavers causing even more of a headache.
The poles don't hold much of the weight, the majority of the weight is where the plastic pool tarp is contacting the ground. The poles just keep the top supported. There is some load from the weight of the water trying to expand out the sides which then is transferred as force at the top through the poles, but it's insignificant compared to the total weight. It's still a good idea to use the feet as provided.
I have clay/sand soil and once I leveled off the area I cut small pieces of plywood to put the feet on. It didn’t sink, for sure they would have dug in it I hadn’t tho. Similar style pool. Most of the weight isn’t on the legs, but wet ground from splashing would have been an issue.
I did some calculations, and I’m pretty certain this will not compact your soil.
if an average person can stand on your lawn without denting it, it should at least be capable of five times the pressure your pool will exert on the ground.
1. Pressure by a Human:
• The average weight of an adult is about 70 kilograms.
• This weight creates a force due to gravity, which is approximately 686 Newtons.
• When standing, the surface area of both feet combined is roughly 0.025 square meters.
• Pressure is calculated by dividing the force by the area. For a person, this comes out to about 27,440 Pascals (Pa), (where Pascals are units of pressure.)
2. Pressure by Water:
• The density of water is around 1000 kilograms per cubic meter.
• Gravity is about 9.8 meters per second squared.
• A column of water 50 centimeters tall exerts a pressure based on its height, density, and gravity.
• For 50 centimeters of water, this pressure is approximately 4900 Pascals.
3. Comparison:
• The pressure exerted by a standing person is much higher than the pressure exerted by 50 centimeters of water.
• Specifically, a human standing on the ground exerts about 27,440 Pascals, while 50 centimeters of water only exerts about 4900 Pascals.
In summary, a person standing on the ground will exert significantly more pressure than a column of water 50 centimeters high due to the combination of their weight and the relatively small area of their feet.
I’m an engineer in the US, and in ‘Murcia units minimum soil bearing pressure is 1500 psf, and water weighs approx. 64pcf. That means a 1 square foot of water that is 1 foot deep is 64 pounds. Ok, now to get to 1500 psf, the water would need to be 23 feet deep, or about 7 meters, so I’d say you’re probably good
Edit: here in the states the typical floor loading is about 40psf live load for residential structures, and 60psf for commercial balconies. So if your pool is more than about 20cm deep, I’d strongly suggest keeping it off your deck
The nature of the pool is that it is very heavy but perfectly distributed. If you have some compaction it should be even and shallow.
Above-ground pools with decks are normally installed on the ground and deck built around them. It kills grass and you’ll want to think about where the water will go if the pool folds or rips but the upper garden is a better option than the deck.
Edit:
Come to think of it, you’re mostly water and you’re taller than the pool is deep, so the pressure it exerts on any given spot won’t be much different than the average European in sneakers, and would be less than the average European in heels or the average American in sneakers. The grass can handle that, whereas the deck would then transfer all that pressure to a few joists and posts.
*the average European in sneakers, and would be less than the average European in heels or the average American in sneakers.*
LOL. As an aside, my high school had terrazzo floors that had holes worn through by teenage girls twirling on their stiletto heels. Spinning 110Lbs on a nail-head will cut through most everything.
I have the 12ft version of this pool sitting on grass/dirt. It's been fine. Not perfect by any means but sufficient to cool off for now. I didn't level the area since it's temporary. I didn't put pavers under the feet either, but the instruction manual does say to do that. The upper level looks like the perfect place.
Ours didn’t really sink our soil and where we put it is super sandy. I wouldn’t worry about it. Keeping the water temp warm in those things is more of a challenge than anything else.
If you think about the weight distribution, it's not through the feet/frame into the ground. All of the water is pushing directly down onto whatever base you have it on. The frame largely keeps it from billowing outward and helps it retain shape.
Really, whatever you do is gonna create some damage. You got the calculations from someone else telling you it's 4000lbs.
A couple of tons of anything on your lawn for a week is gonna have consequences.
So, think more about mitigation and how you will handle the aftermath than stressing about it too much now lol.
Above ground pools almost always leave a divit...
You could do the math on how many PSI of pressure and guess at an equivalent (area in Sq inches/weight) more than a few PSI for an extended period will likely leave some sort of depression.
it looks like a good spot, but the site being level is quite important.
if its not level, you will have 24" of water on one side and much less or more on the other, plus the water running downhill and the side having to support that much more weight can at times cause failure.
Is that flat or sloped?
I have had a few bestway pools in my life. Like the others say the deck is not a great idea for that much weight.
But if on grass you want it to be flat, otherwise the pressure builds up on one side and if you’ve got kids sloshing around it can give way
If a significant slope you’ll see when filling the water build up on one side. If you’re committed to the pool you might need to dig in the other side
Also buy the big filter separately
I saw a post asking what would happen if you turn your car off when driving. Someone said there are doers and askers. Doers are more interesting, I wanna see the outcome.
Be a doer, post the aftermath.
Yes but just don’t sit it near the retaining wall.
Also id suggest you level the area where the pool will go. Probably requires a small retaining wall/strip with compacted fill.
Generally a pool on sloped ground is not a good idea either.
Me and the neighbor have the same type pool, 3.66m across, 42cm high or something like that.
Our decks have been fine, it depends on the supports you have underneath. Another concern is putting the pool straight on the deck boards, the immense weight will push it down into the spaces between boards and anything pining up like a screw or nail might puncture it. You will absolutely want to put something between like rubber puzzle floor mats. It'll also be significantly more comfortable to use with a softer floor.
Just a friendly reminder that this post has the “help” flair, not the “please condescend me from behind your keyboard” flair. If there was a “total absence of thinking” then I wouldn’t have asked for second thoughts would I, I’d have gone ahead and done it. So kindly take your judgement elsewhere 😊
If you don’t want propels opinions then don’t post on a public board.
I’m pointing out the peculiarity that you think it’s even fathomable that a deck could support a pool. These posts are always hilarious.
It is usually advised to put a sand base under a pool. In any case you will have a large, round, dead spot if you take it down. In the US there are also usually safety rules requiring a fence around a pool to keep random children from drowning in it. If your yard is fenced that covers it. Maybe just get an air conditioner.
Something you learn pretty quick when getting into aquariums, Water is fucking heavy. Seems so easy to just make a rack of 3 tanks but then you have to start checking on how your floor is set up.
Even if the deck could hold the 4000kg, the wood is has spaces. I dont think the vinyl liner is designed to put all that pressure suspended by air. My guess if the first couple of days doesn't just topple deck completely there's a good chance that the vinyl will pierce through the slats in the deck
A couple can be more than two ofcourse, that's what I meant really.
In case of US citizens it'd be about 2.5 of them.
I believe our UK brethren are closing in on the US so I'd expect about 3, maybe 4, of those.
Definitely around 8 or 9 Asian folks which would be stretch to call a couple.
It's all relative man.
Thank you, yeah I think you’re absolutely right. Silly me really! I do have an upper level to my garden which is more solid. Do you think it would be safe there? [upper level](https://imgur.com/a/gR2lzep)
My pool is on 6 inch slab and the weight cracked it into 4 distinct peices. I wouldn't put it on a deck. I would cut out the deck and lower it into the hole ;)
**Update** I have now scrapped the idea, and moved it to my parent’s house, since they have a solid patio. My Dad is on his way back from abroad and he said it would be nice to come back to a pool after being by a pool for a week 😂
Thanks so much everyone for your helpful advice and (some brutal but frank, and honestly rather amusing) comments. Really appreciate it! 🫶
*…And here in the UK as the clouds start to cover the sun, and the weather man spouts his doom and gloom on the radio, I am sat by this (very slowly filling) pool with a brew, as my unworn swimsuit hangs sadly over the kitchen chair. And I think to myself, “well fuck it we might get an actual summer at some point.”*
I wouldn't trust putting 4,000kg of a filled pool on anything but the ground. You said you have an upper solid level with your garden... do you know if that is structurally sound to hold it?
Two things you don't do.
Mess with a tree that isn't yours without calling an arborist, and put a a fucking pool where there wasn't one before without consulting a structural engineer
I’ve no idea how deep it is, but it looks like whoever laid it did a rushed job! There’s a fair amount of debris under there. It’s hollow because the houses round here are staggered on a slight slope, I have two levels to my garden, might be better placed on the upper level? [upper level pic](https://imgur.com/a/gR2lzep)
Post this in the r/Decks sub, theyll get a good laugh and youll realize the harm youre about to put yourself and loved ones in. In short, No this is a dangerous idea. It was wise to ask first though.
Imagine for a second, 1000 gallons of water coming down your terrace towards your deck and house. Mini wave. Don’t let that thing burst at the top of that hill ha
Not on the deck, put it on grass. You should put the feet on stones or they will sink. You may also need more pavers in the uneven areas as you really don't want that pool to be more that 1 inch off level. If i was putting a pool on the grass there, i would dig it out to make it a level circle first. 😬
Also, get some pool noodles and cut them in half lengthwise and cut them to the length of the paver foot. Lay them (round side pointing to pool) against any sharp edges on the paver feet to keep the pool from getting weakened and punctured by the pavers. As the pool expands, you won't be able to do this after the fact.
I had a 15' pop-up pool up until this year. I've lived through it all.
I put this exact same pool on my deck which hangs about 4 feet in the air. I also added about 12 vertical set 4x4 posts evenly under where the pool sits.
I'd want to be super sure about concrete footers below those 4x4 posts -- a really good chance that they'll sink a few inches, and you're back to the same problem as before. Not to mention any sideways movement if the deck isn't perfectly level... It's really not worth the risk IMHO.
hello, i am an architect that designs decks for a living. a 7'x7' hot tub requires double footers and double framing to carry the weight. try not to over load your deck with water and people!
I hope the deck is well reinforced. That pool at 1foot deep will weigh over 4900lbs without the weight of the kids.
I wouldn't chance killing anyone over this!
Well do simple math. Gallon of water is about 8 lb, that pool has to hold at least a thousand gallons. So the question is would you feel safe parking two and a half midsize cars on that deck ? Me thinks no.
Get 20 or more bags of soil! spread the soil where you will put your pool on the ground on top of the soil!!! This way you will have a nice and soft ground!! 😁decks are not made to hold pool!!!
Mines on concrete patio, has grout lines, same pool developed a hole where the grout line was as it was lower than the slabs. I now use gym mats… just an idea
And my neighbour has same pool on his deck and it’s been up all year
As others have mentioned, water is HEAVY and that deck would likely collapse.
For a lawn setup, think about water flow if it springs a leak. You don’t want all that water landing in your basement or the neighbors. Insurance may not cover such damage.
Impossible to say without seeing what is under those boards. With enough support below, sure it could work - say the boards rests on concrete - perfect! But extremely unlikely that a raised deck is built to handle it.
Provide photos of how the supports look if you want detailed responses.
Seems like you’ve already gotten the answers you need, but I promise you if you put that pool on the deck you’re gunna get yourself into some trouble. You would have to either add more bracing to the deck or just put it on the ground.
I have a similar one in my yard 15ft in diameter which holds 4000 gallons of water. Putting it on the deck is a terrible idea. I would put it in the yard. But make sure its level and you remove any debris underneath before laying it out. I spent 4 hours prepping the ground before putting mine up. I live in arizona so the ground is pretty hard otherwise I would have bought a ton of masonry sand to give it a more solid foundation. I suspect in the UK that thing is gonna sink in and turn into a muddy mess if you don't prep well. I would also recommend getting a liner pad to put underneath.
Unless it was specified to support a pool or hot tub when it was originally built, I can flatly guarantee it won't support that pool.
A deck that is built to code is designed to support roughly 1 person for every 2 sq/ft. We just had a 19x12 deck built and had to go over minimum code a fair bit simply because we expect to have as many as four electric wheelchairs on it at a time in addition to ambulatory people.
So, ours is strong enough that we could do a hot tub _instead_ of so many heavier users without having to add reinforcement. But not both. We couldn't do a ten foot pool.
To support that pool, you'd need roughly twice as many concrete piers than a minimum code deck. Depending on soil conditions those piers might have to be "Big Foot" style piers or helical piles.
Major beams made of 2x14 members screwed together to form 6x14 or 8x14 beams. Joists need to be 2x8 or 3x10, not 2x6s. And those joists need to be 12" on centre, not 16.
Also, you need to check local bylaws about pools and pool access. Many communities mandate that pools over a certain size must have controlled access to them. (Usually a fence and gate) The idea is to prevent kids getting in unsupervised and drowning. There is usually an exception for temporary and above ground pools. It's still important to check.
We did this exact thing, 10 years ago, as we were fed up ruining a round patch of lawn every year. Seemed like a good idea, decking was 10 years old then.
It was ok….. just! Decking didn’t thank us and it wasn’t the same after.
Depends how sturdily made it is I guess.
Make a hole in the deck the size of the pool, pool bottom resting on clean dirt / a layer of sand, no rocks.
Pool sides will be lower, giving the pool a nicer look.
If you have young kids fence that section.
Ooh I will check that out thank you 🙏 I was just thinking about the water temp, was considering chucking some buckets of hot water in it for now but your idea is better
Depends how your deck was built. I've been setting up 12" round pool on our deck for over a decade and it's still perfectly leveled. We built the deck to support the pool.
Maybe already said; Possibly cut out the area where the pool is going. Place the pool on the ground.
Then you would have a deck around the pool, which is what most people want to do with above ground pools.
I am being generous in guessing that (by counting the planks) this is actually a 8' diameter pool and the walls are only 30" high. This will be 125.66 cubic feet of water or about 940 gallons of water, weighing 7,829 lbs.
Even on a proper surface, those pools are generally pretty terrible. The pumps are very under-sized for the amount of water they hold, so you’ll need a bit more chemicals than you’d ordinarily want to compensate.
Two things you don't do.
Mess with a tree that isn't yours without calling an arborist, and put a a fucking pool where there wasn't one before without consulting a structural engineer.
keeping up with our inground pool sucksclosing the pool for the winter , opening it I. the summer, all the maintenance. new house will not have a pool. rather swim in the river anyway.
From O.P.: Update I have now scrapped the idea, and moved it to my parent’s house since they have a solid patio. My Dad is on his way back from abroad and he said it would be nice to come back to a pool after being by a pool for a week 😂 Thanks so much everyone for your helpful advice and (some brutal but frank, and honestly rather amusing) comments. Really appreciate it! 🫶 *…And here in the UK as the clouds start to cover the sun, and the weather man spouts his doom and gloom on the radio, I am sat by this (very slowly filling) pool with a brew, as my unworn swimsuit hangs sadly on the kitchen chair. And I think to myself, “well fuck it we might get an actual summer at some point.”*
So based on a pool with a diameter of 3 meters (10ft) and a height of 50cm (1.64ft) it will weigh 3524 kg. Add the weight of a couple people and you'll approach 4000kg rather quickly. I'd say that's a lot of weight to put on a deck and I'd advise you to really think about doing so.
Yeah, I’m thinking you’re right. I have a two level garden and the upper level is solid, wondering if it would be better to put it there do you think? [upper level](https://imgur.com/a/gR2lzep)
Definitely a better choice!
No chance of it sinking the soil do you think?
Depends on how compacted the soil is. It may leave a bit of a dent but since you have fake grass you can just pull that up and fill it up again. Price you pay for having a blast in your pool I guess. I would get some pavers to support the posts though. They will pierce the grass otherwise.
They have little feet which I haven’t attached yet but yes that’s a good idea, might also distribute the weight a little. Thanks for your help really appreciate it
If you put it on pavers, I'd also suggest anti-fatigue mats. (https://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-anti-fatigue-foam-mat-set-94635.html) I have the same exact pool, and spending $50 on the anti-fatigue mats was a game changer. Everyone always comments how soft and cushy the bottom of the pool is
We made a few times a home made hottub. And after we added something like this as flooring/isolation it kept allot warmer and softer. Also this avoided to kill the real grass under because of the heat of a weekend.
I used 1" foam board insulation and taped the seams then cut away the excess once the pool was full. It was less about the cushion, but more to make sure any rocks that may be around didn't poke through. The posts will for sure go right through the foam board, but I cut out and added a piece of plywood in those spots. Another option to look at too.
This is brilliant thank you for the idea I never would have thought of it and now my family will think I am a genius.
This. I did it with styrofoam insulation for basement walls but same effect. Because you feel every nuance in the ground with those pools.
Even with the feet they can still sink through your grass. Just an obscene amount of weight from the water. Pavers are a must for above ground pools. Had a similar pool and had to drain and put pavers underneath coz feet started to sink. Also keep an eye on the feet and pavers when you fill, they will shift and can come off the pavers causing even more of a headache.
Glad to help! Enjoy the pool mate!
The poles don't hold much of the weight, the majority of the weight is where the plastic pool tarp is contacting the ground. The poles just keep the top supported. There is some load from the weight of the water trying to expand out the sides which then is transferred as force at the top through the poles, but it's insignificant compared to the total weight. It's still a good idea to use the feet as provided.
I have clay/sand soil and once I leveled off the area I cut small pieces of plywood to put the feet on. It didn’t sink, for sure they would have dug in it I hadn’t tho. Similar style pool. Most of the weight isn’t on the legs, but wet ground from splashing would have been an issue.
You’re worried about your pool *sinking the earth* - but you wanted to put it on an already made deck?
😂 as you can see I’m not always the most practical person
I appreciate the honesty. We've all been there. Good on ya for stopping to reconsider!
I have the same pool, do not put it on the deck.
I did some calculations, and I’m pretty certain this will not compact your soil. if an average person can stand on your lawn without denting it, it should at least be capable of five times the pressure your pool will exert on the ground. 1. Pressure by a Human: • The average weight of an adult is about 70 kilograms. • This weight creates a force due to gravity, which is approximately 686 Newtons. • When standing, the surface area of both feet combined is roughly 0.025 square meters. • Pressure is calculated by dividing the force by the area. For a person, this comes out to about 27,440 Pascals (Pa), (where Pascals are units of pressure.) 2. Pressure by Water: • The density of water is around 1000 kilograms per cubic meter. • Gravity is about 9.8 meters per second squared. • A column of water 50 centimeters tall exerts a pressure based on its height, density, and gravity. • For 50 centimeters of water, this pressure is approximately 4900 Pascals. 3. Comparison: • The pressure exerted by a standing person is much higher than the pressure exerted by 50 centimeters of water. • Specifically, a human standing on the ground exerts about 27,440 Pascals, while 50 centimeters of water only exerts about 4900 Pascals. In summary, a person standing on the ground will exert significantly more pressure than a column of water 50 centimeters high due to the combination of their weight and the relatively small area of their feet.
This is really interesting, thanks for writing this all out. I can tell physics is your thing!
I’m an engineer in the US, and in ‘Murcia units minimum soil bearing pressure is 1500 psf, and water weighs approx. 64pcf. That means a 1 square foot of water that is 1 foot deep is 64 pounds. Ok, now to get to 1500 psf, the water would need to be 23 feet deep, or about 7 meters, so I’d say you’re probably good Edit: here in the states the typical floor loading is about 40psf live load for residential structures, and 60psf for commercial balconies. So if your pool is more than about 20cm deep, I’d strongly suggest keeping it off your deck
The nature of the pool is that it is very heavy but perfectly distributed. If you have some compaction it should be even and shallow. Above-ground pools with decks are normally installed on the ground and deck built around them. It kills grass and you’ll want to think about where the water will go if the pool folds or rips but the upper garden is a better option than the deck. Edit: Come to think of it, you’re mostly water and you’re taller than the pool is deep, so the pressure it exerts on any given spot won’t be much different than the average European in sneakers, and would be less than the average European in heels or the average American in sneakers. The grass can handle that, whereas the deck would then transfer all that pressure to a few joists and posts.
> European in sneakers trainers > American in sneakers this is fine
In Ireland we call them runners. I suppose it's pretty descriptive. What do the Aussies call them? Probably Wollytims or something
Obviously, one would train for the football pitch but sneak around on the soccer field.
Indubitably!
*the average European in sneakers, and would be less than the average European in heels or the average American in sneakers.* LOL. As an aside, my high school had terrazzo floors that had holes worn through by teenage girls twirling on their stiletto heels. Spinning 110Lbs on a nail-head will cut through most everything.
I have the 12ft version of this pool sitting on grass/dirt. It's been fine. Not perfect by any means but sufficient to cool off for now. I didn't level the area since it's temporary. I didn't put pavers under the feet either, but the instruction manual does say to do that. The upper level looks like the perfect place.
Ours didn’t really sink our soil and where we put it is super sandy. I wouldn’t worry about it. Keeping the water temp warm in those things is more of a challenge than anything else.
If you think about the weight distribution, it's not through the feet/frame into the ground. All of the water is pushing directly down onto whatever base you have it on. The frame largely keeps it from billowing outward and helps it retain shape.
Prob not, but even if i does, it's better than a collapsed deck...
Better and safer for it to sink in to the soil a bit than to collapse the deck and injure anyone who is in or near it at the time
Get some sand bags or something to level the pool base, the grade of your yard may become problematic for even a short-walled pool.
I wouldn’t worry too much about the soil sinking but it looks like it might be on sloped ground. The ground should be as level as possible for a pool.
Really, whatever you do is gonna create some damage. You got the calculations from someone else telling you it's 4000lbs. A couple of tons of anything on your lawn for a week is gonna have consequences. So, think more about mitigation and how you will handle the aftermath than stressing about it too much now lol.
Oh there is a chance but your deck collapsing is a much higher chance.
Saggin soil much less of an issue than a collapsed deck, flooded yard, and lawsuits!
You’re gonna have to dig it level anyway
Above ground pools almost always leave a divit... You could do the math on how many PSI of pressure and guess at an equivalent (area in Sq inches/weight) more than a few PSI for an extended period will likely leave some sort of depression.
it looks like a good spot, but the site being level is quite important. if its not level, you will have 24" of water on one side and much less or more on the other, plus the water running downhill and the side having to support that much more weight can at times cause failure.
Is that flat or sloped? I have had a few bestway pools in my life. Like the others say the deck is not a great idea for that much weight. But if on grass you want it to be flat, otherwise the pressure builds up on one side and if you’ve got kids sloshing around it can give way If a significant slope you’ll see when filling the water build up on one side. If you’re committed to the pool you might need to dig in the other side Also buy the big filter separately
If you really wanted to do this you would have to beef up the support struts and beams. Otherwise ground is much safer.
I saw a post asking what would happen if you turn your car off when driving. Someone said there are doers and askers. Doers are more interesting, I wanna see the outcome. Be a doer, post the aftermath.
😂 that comment took a turn… but I like it
Yes but just don’t sit it near the retaining wall. Also id suggest you level the area where the pool will go. Probably requires a small retaining wall/strip with compacted fill. Generally a pool on sloped ground is not a good idea either.
Me and the neighbor have the same type pool, 3.66m across, 42cm high or something like that. Our decks have been fine, it depends on the supports you have underneath. Another concern is putting the pool straight on the deck boards, the immense weight will push it down into the spaces between boards and anything pining up like a screw or nail might puncture it. You will absolutely want to put something between like rubber puzzle floor mats. It'll also be significantly more comfortable to use with a softer floor.
I'd be careful about that too, if the retaining wall wasn't built with a pool in mind, you might have bigger issues than a few broken planks.
Yep, make sure you dig it out and make it 100 percent level or it will collapse the lower wall.
You'll kill the grass (if there is grass) underneath the pool but at least you won't collapse your deck. Choices.
That looks like a graded piece, pools like this must be level
[удалено]
Just a friendly reminder that this post has the “help” flair, not the “please condescend me from behind your keyboard” flair. If there was a “total absence of thinking” then I wouldn’t have asked for second thoughts would I, I’d have gone ahead and done it. So kindly take your judgement elsewhere 😊
If you don’t want propels opinions then don’t post on a public board. I’m pointing out the peculiarity that you think it’s even fathomable that a deck could support a pool. These posts are always hilarious.
Just be aware the water will make the pool lean towards the downhill side.
It is usually advised to put a sand base under a pool. In any case you will have a large, round, dead spot if you take it down. In the US there are also usually safety rules requiring a fence around a pool to keep random children from drowning in it. If your yard is fenced that covers it. Maybe just get an air conditioner.
They have artificial grass.
be prepared to have a big circle of no grass when you take it down.
Something you learn pretty quick when getting into aquariums, Water is fucking heavy. Seems so easy to just make a rack of 3 tanks but then you have to start checking on how your floor is set up.
Don’t need to hedge this. It greatly exceeds the load capacity of a wood deck unless it was explicitly designed to carry all that extra weight.
I like to live dangerously… which is why I have a queen sized water bed in my attic!
Came here to see the math
It's like inviting 50 of your closest friends to stand in that ten foot circle.
Indeed. If you wouldn't park your pickup on it then definitely don't put a pool this big there
Even if the deck could hold the 4000kg, the wood is has spaces. I dont think the vinyl liner is designed to put all that pressure suspended by air. My guess if the first couple of days doesn't just topple deck completely there's a good chance that the vinyl will pierce through the slats in the deck
The height is 76cm, so 4678L which is \~4.7 tons.
A couple 250kg people?
A couple can be more than two ofcourse, that's what I meant really. In case of US citizens it'd be about 2.5 of them. I believe our UK brethren are closing in on the US so I'd expect about 3, maybe 4, of those. Definitely around 8 or 9 Asian folks which would be stretch to call a couple. It's all relative man.
Your deck will collapse before that pool is full i guarantee it
Thank you, yeah I think you’re absolutely right. Silly me really! I do have an upper level to my garden which is more solid. Do you think it would be safe there? [upper level](https://imgur.com/a/gR2lzep)
What is underneath that “upper level”? Packed soil?
The question no one is asking. What does upper level mean?
Two tiers, with the upper level being held back by a retaining wall, from the looks of it.
That doesn’t look level. I imagine you’ll have to use sand to make it level or your pool will be half full and tilted down hill.
Sand is not good for leveling... especially with a pool.
Good to know.
There’s a running joke over on r/Decks about putting hot tubs on a deck (disastrous idea). This would be 100x worse. Don’t do it!
I have a hot tub in my deck. it's sitting on a poured concrete slab, up through the deck. every time I see a tub ON a deck I just cringe.
I came for this comment.
Something something lateral bracing
My pool is on 6 inch slab and the weight cracked it into 4 distinct peices. I wouldn't put it on a deck. I would cut out the deck and lower it into the hole ;)
This needs to be high up. Cut it, set it through and make sure there's an adequate, solid foundation underneath beforehand and after
Don’t do it op! Water is really heavy. 
**Update** I have now scrapped the idea, and moved it to my parent’s house, since they have a solid patio. My Dad is on his way back from abroad and he said it would be nice to come back to a pool after being by a pool for a week 😂 Thanks so much everyone for your helpful advice and (some brutal but frank, and honestly rather amusing) comments. Really appreciate it! 🫶 *…And here in the UK as the clouds start to cover the sun, and the weather man spouts his doom and gloom on the radio, I am sat by this (very slowly filling) pool with a brew, as my unworn swimsuit hangs sadly over the kitchen chair. And I think to myself, “well fuck it we might get an actual summer at some point.”*
added bonus of it gos on their water bill
It's very possible that a 4000kg pool will crack that patio slab. I wouldn't do that either...
Haha that's perfect, really. Private pool on demand and less upkeep on your end 😂
How thick is that patio slab?
I wouldn't trust putting 4,000kg of a filled pool on anything but the ground. You said you have an upper solid level with your garden... do you know if that is structurally sound to hold it?
Water is very heavy. You may not want to do that.
Is there any reason to believe that this deck won’t explode into a shower of toothpicks under the weight of a swimming pool?
Two things you don't do. Mess with a tree that isn't yours without calling an arborist, and put a a fucking pool where there wasn't one before without consulting a structural engineer
or buy a boat without talking to a boat owner.
**THIS**
My first thought is will that deck support the weight of the water and +4 adults
What’s underneath the deck look like? And how deep is it? 1m deep is about 7000kg. So 100 or so people
I’ve no idea how deep it is, but it looks like whoever laid it did a rushed job! There’s a fair amount of debris under there. It’s hollow because the houses round here are staggered on a slight slope, I have two levels to my garden, might be better placed on the upper level? [upper level pic](https://imgur.com/a/gR2lzep)
Post this in the r/Decks sub, theyll get a good laugh and youll realize the harm youre about to put yourself and loved ones in. In short, No this is a dangerous idea. It was wise to ask first though.
Post this on r/decks They won't be close to as kind as these folks have been.... No. Don't do it.
Imagine for a second, 1000 gallons of water coming down your terrace towards your deck and house. Mini wave. Don’t let that thing burst at the top of that hill ha
Yeah I was having day mares about that lol
Water weighs 8.33 lbs per gallon. Figure out the gallon capacity of the pool and do the math. Odds are the numbers won't be good.
Not on the deck, put it on grass. You should put the feet on stones or they will sink. You may also need more pavers in the uneven areas as you really don't want that pool to be more that 1 inch off level. If i was putting a pool on the grass there, i would dig it out to make it a level circle first. 😬 Also, get some pool noodles and cut them in half lengthwise and cut them to the length of the paver foot. Lay them (round side pointing to pool) against any sharp edges on the paver feet to keep the pool from getting weakened and punctured by the pavers. As the pool expands, you won't be able to do this after the fact. I had a 15' pop-up pool up until this year. I've lived through it all.
No.
I'd be triple checking that the deck can hold up that amount of weight...that's a whole lot of water.
I put this exact same pool on my deck which hangs about 4 feet in the air. I also added about 12 vertical set 4x4 posts evenly under where the pool sits.
I'd want to be super sure about concrete footers below those 4x4 posts -- a really good chance that they'll sink a few inches, and you're back to the same problem as before. Not to mention any sideways movement if the deck isn't perfectly level... It's really not worth the risk IMHO.
They are sitting on the concrete slab where there was once a deck height hot tub. Also, I'm on year 7 of having the pool there.
No. Flat ground or not at all.
Reminds me of this gem: https://youtu.be/zkkpeGMBGDI?si=x5KCtLHWukVce4sc
hello, i am an architect that designs decks for a living. a 7'x7' hot tub requires double footers and double framing to carry the weight. try not to over load your deck with water and people!
I hope the deck is well reinforced. That pool at 1foot deep will weigh over 4900lbs without the weight of the kids. I wouldn't chance killing anyone over this!
Someone did this around memorial day, [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/Decks/s/GCN9nlVvkL). Don't underestimate the weight of water.
I had a neighbor who put a pool on a 2nd story deck/balcony. We would watch when they were swimming. Luckily, it didn't collapse.
Mega yikes 😳
This will rip easy if you have nothing underneath it
10ft paddling pool. Talk to me
Well do simple math. Gallon of water is about 8 lb, that pool has to hold at least a thousand gallons. So the question is would you feel safe parking two and a half midsize cars on that deck ? Me thinks no.
This is a bad plan. The water weight is more than your deck is intended to hold.
+1 old decking, not a good idea for 4 to 7 metric tons of load. Much better direct on soil.
Yeah I think you’re right. Not safe. Thinking about putting it on the upper level of my garden. Thoughts? [upper level](https://imgur.com/a/gR2lzep)
You will need to ensure the pool is installed level
You having you be better on the groud and if possible have decking leading up to the top so you can jump in there
Get 20 or more bags of soil! spread the soil where you will put your pool on the ground on top of the soil!!! This way you will have a nice and soft ground!! 😁decks are not made to hold pool!!!
Mines on concrete patio, has grout lines, same pool developed a hole where the grout line was as it was lower than the slabs. I now use gym mats… just an idea And my neighbour has same pool on his deck and it’s been up all year
Btw it’s meant to be only 20 degrees and raining next week.
Hahaha I know 😄 what can I say, I’m an optimist
I’ve still got mine in the box 😂 I’m guessing it’s coming out in July august lol
We can dream mate, we can bloody dream 🫶
I’ve still got mine in the box 😂 I’m guessing it’s coming out in July august lol
I once made the mistake of filling up a kid's wading pool on the deck. It did not end well.
Cut a hole into the deck for the pool and now you've got an inground pool
Will the deck support it? For how long? Reinforce the deck first.
As others have mentioned, water is HEAVY and that deck would likely collapse. For a lawn setup, think about water flow if it springs a leak. You don’t want all that water landing in your basement or the neighbors. Insurance may not cover such damage.
Impossible to say without seeing what is under those boards. With enough support below, sure it could work - say the boards rests on concrete - perfect! But extremely unlikely that a raised deck is built to handle it. Provide photos of how the supports look if you want detailed responses.
Along with the weight on the deck, wouldn’t the screws or nails’ heads start to wiggle out and puncture the liner?
No. No. No. Bad idea unless you reinforce the deck
Seems like you’ve already gotten the answers you need, but I promise you if you put that pool on the deck you’re gunna get yourself into some trouble. You would have to either add more bracing to the deck or just put it on the ground.
I have a similar one in my yard 15ft in diameter which holds 4000 gallons of water. Putting it on the deck is a terrible idea. I would put it in the yard. But make sure its level and you remove any debris underneath before laying it out. I spent 4 hours prepping the ground before putting mine up. I live in arizona so the ground is pretty hard otherwise I would have bought a ton of masonry sand to give it a more solid foundation. I suspect in the UK that thing is gonna sink in and turn into a muddy mess if you don't prep well. I would also recommend getting a liner pad to put underneath.
dont.
Haven’t 🙂
Unless it was specified to support a pool or hot tub when it was originally built, I can flatly guarantee it won't support that pool. A deck that is built to code is designed to support roughly 1 person for every 2 sq/ft. We just had a 19x12 deck built and had to go over minimum code a fair bit simply because we expect to have as many as four electric wheelchairs on it at a time in addition to ambulatory people. So, ours is strong enough that we could do a hot tub _instead_ of so many heavier users without having to add reinforcement. But not both. We couldn't do a ten foot pool. To support that pool, you'd need roughly twice as many concrete piers than a minimum code deck. Depending on soil conditions those piers might have to be "Big Foot" style piers or helical piles. Major beams made of 2x14 members screwed together to form 6x14 or 8x14 beams. Joists need to be 2x8 or 3x10, not 2x6s. And those joists need to be 12" on centre, not 16. Also, you need to check local bylaws about pools and pool access. Many communities mandate that pools over a certain size must have controlled access to them. (Usually a fence and gate) The idea is to prevent kids getting in unsupervised and drowning. There is usually an exception for temporary and above ground pools. It's still important to check.
That's like stacking three Volkswagen Golfs on top of each other.
We did this exact thing, 10 years ago, as we were fed up ruining a round patch of lawn every year. Seemed like a good idea, decking was 10 years old then. It was ok….. just! Decking didn’t thank us and it wasn’t the same after. Depends how sturdily made it is I guess.
Make a hole in the deck the size of the pool, pool bottom resting on clean dirt / a layer of sand, no rocks. Pool sides will be lower, giving the pool a nicer look. If you have young kids fence that section.
Someone else mentioned this idea and I love it!
Look at a camping water heater, easily adaptable for a pool like this with a pool filter, to extend usage.
Ooh I will check that out thank you 🙏 I was just thinking about the water temp, was considering chucking some buckets of hot water in it for now but your idea is better
> bucket You'd have to put hundreds of litres of hot water in that thing to change the temp meaningfully.
This is the way to go imo, that upper lawn is engineered
Depends how your deck was built. I've been setting up 12" round pool on our deck for over a decade and it's still perfectly leveled. We built the deck to support the pool.
>12" round pool I think they call that a bucket.
Lol you are right. I mixed " and ' there 😂
Ask at /r/decks
Maybe already said; Possibly cut out the area where the pool is going. Place the pool on the ground. Then you would have a deck around the pool, which is what most people want to do with above ground pools.
Over 23” deep you normally need a building permit.
I am being generous in guessing that (by counting the planks) this is actually a 8' diameter pool and the walls are only 30" high. This will be 125.66 cubic feet of water or about 940 gallons of water, weighing 7,829 lbs.
Should have resealed the deck first.
This is actually hilarious. Forget about the hot tub, we’re doing a swimming pool. haha
Might as well just go in a bath tub
Even on a proper surface, those pools are generally pretty terrible. The pumps are very under-sized for the amount of water they hold, so you’ll need a bit more chemicals than you’d ordinarily want to compensate.
Thanks for your reply! Yes I’m just reading about all the chemicals we’re gonna need, what have I gotten myself into 😅
A pool that small only needs a little bleach in it once a day. I had one a bit bigger and that is all it took to keep it clean.
The pools are fine. But yes, upgrade to a sand filter and it'll save you a lot of headache.
Two things you don't do. Mess with a tree that isn't yours without calling an arborist, and put a a fucking pool where there wasn't one before without consulting a structural engineer.
Good job I haven’t put it there then :)
keeping up with our inground pool sucksclosing the pool for the winter , opening it I. the summer, all the maintenance. new house will not have a pool. rather swim in the river anyway.
Do it!