Summer is here, the sun is hot, the kids school summer vacation has begun and they need entertained. What better than a pool, some friends and a few toys to keep them cool and amused for hours in the back yard?
These days pools come in many shapes and sizes, to help you in your choice here are reviews for the 3 best selling Intex pools.
My first choice, is relatively inexpensive but you should unduly add the cost of an electric pump if you do not already have one!
Intex 117-by-76-by-53-Inch Rainbow Ring Pool Play Center.
It is divided into 2 sections. There is the "wading pool" and a slightly larger pool in which the water-slide is located. It comes with a water spray – which has to be attached to a garden hose and a couple of games are included also – a ring toss game and a ball roller or toss ball game (the hoops and balls are included.)
Without doubt, what you see on the box is what you get, this went down well with parents who have purchased this Intex pool, there were no disappointments regarding size etc.
Intex states that the pool is suitable for children between the ages of 3-7 years. However, quite a few parents felt that by the time their youngsters had reached the age of around 5 years whilst they still played in the pool, the features games etc. had lost their appeal. The slide too is pretty short and not much good for older or taller youngsters.
With the help of an electric pump the pool can be blown up fairly fast. Without an electric pump? You are in for a long task because there are quite a few of parts with individual valves for inflating. So investing a high power electric pump is unduly a wise idea. Some parents made the mistake of assuming that a pump was included with this Intex pool – not in this instance.
The one BIG complaint about this pool is the lack of a plug or two to allow for emptying the water. This pool will hold up to 77 gallons of water so trying to tip it up to empty it is no easy task and bailing it out with a bucket takes forever! The other complaint was regarding cleaning – especially under the slide which was difficult to access to allow a thorough clean.
Negative points besides the children I spoke to all absolutely loved this Intex pool and would spend hours having fun. In fact, a couple of parents even bought the pool indoors in the winter months and turned it into a massive ball pit – great idea for a party!
Next up is a metal framed Intex pool. This one is a bit more expensive than the last, but highly recommended and is a semi-permanent structure – depending on the climate where you live it can be left in position all year round!
Intex 12-Foot-by-30-Inch Family Size Round Metal Frame Pool Set
As indicated in the name this Intex pool is constructed from strong metal pipes which interlock and are then fed through and extremely strong vinyl casing which runs round the top edge of the main body of the heavy duty vinyl pool. Lot's of the people I spoke to did tell me [/ spin that they had been very worried that the pool structure was not "solid" enough. They all had to admit however, that this was definitely not the case on completion, especially after it had been filled with water.
The main difference with this pool is that you will most definitely have to do a bit of work before erecting it. The piece of land where it is to be positioned has to be 100% level and debris free, ie no sharp twigs, stones etc. Depending on the type of yard you have this could mean a lot of hard work – or you could pay a contractor to do it for you! Whatever you go for it is essential that you are aware of this before you buy this pool because unless you are replacing an existing pool from the same spot you can not just take it from the box and get building!
Another point to consider, this is a semi permanent pool and will require regular maintenance and cleaning and chemicals just like a permanent swimming pool. Also keep in mind that depending on the climate this Intex pool will have to be dismounted and stored over the winter months. It will not withstand temperatures dropping below freezing.
The overwhelming consensus from owners I have spoken to would seem to be this pool is easy to construct and keep clean. One repeated moan was that the pump which is included in the price of the pool is not strong enough. However, because the pool itself was so reasonably priced no-one seemed bothered about paying to upgrade it too much.
Another concern for some was that this Intex pool did not come with a ladder, making exiting the pool for homeless adults and kids a bit challenging – you can purchase a suitable ladder separately. Whilst a couple of buyers received an incomplete kit, it was rectified but but it was precious pool time wasted!
Everyone who owns one of these Intex pools definitely sees to love it, form couples who just want to laze on a float on a hot day to families which kids fill the pool with friends everyday during the summer vacation from school.
To sum up this Intex pool is sturdy, durable and a firm favorite with all family members and at a very reasonable price.
So, the next Intex pool is not inflatable or vinyl – it is even more hard wearing and has a metal frame.
Intex Ultra Metal Frame Pool with New Child Safety Barrier Ladder – 18 'x 52 "complete set
Invest in one of these Intex pools and you are really in with the big boys! However, there are a few things you should consider before making such a purchase.
The first thing and possibly the most important – the ground on which the pool will sit has to be level and free from any rubris such as stones – remember this pool holds about 6,981 gallons of water and will compress the ground benefit it. Getting this first step right is vital and it may be worth bringing in a contractor to do this for you mechanically.
Construction of the pool may seem a daunting task but everyone I have spoken to has assured me that the instructions are very well written and the sections fit together remarkably easily and snugly. In most cases, the actual construction of the pool took around an hour and a half from start to finish. Before you fill the pool with water be sure to give careful consideration to the positioning of the pump etc. This is where some of the owners made mistakes. Once filled with water the structure is solid – the kids can hang on to the sides without any concerns.
This is a semi permanent pool and needs regular maintenance. Once again Intex have exceeded expectations with owners maintaining the cleaning kit and skimmer which is included with the pool. The pump also gets the thumbs up although upgrades are available at an additional cost. One happy owner stated that by hovering the filter regularly every few days you can cut down the number of times it needs replaced.
The ladder has also been improved and now comes with a child safety barrier.
Everyone who has invested in this Intex pool who I have spoken to completely loved it, the size is great and means it can fit into reliably small back yards. Yet, it can allow several children and a few adults to swim / play about at any one time.
Intex recommends this pool for youngsters aged 6 years and older and it goes without saying that with any of these amenities. However, with an adult present and with adequate floats younger children can also have hours of fun in this pool.