How to Install Bottom Rail on Above Ground Pool?
Installing a bottom rail on an above-ground pool is a great way to increase the safety of your pool. This guide teaches you everything you need to know about installing a bottom rail, including what tools are necessary for installation, how to measure the rails and cut them correctly, and more.
Tools You Will Need
These are the tools needed to install the bottom rail in your pool:
– Tape Measure
– Pencil or chalk line for measuring and marking the rail location on the pool wall. You will want to make sure that you measure twice, cut once. If you don’t have a chalk line for marking your measurements, a string can also work. Since you can easily make a mistake, remove the string carefully.
– Electric or hand saw for cutting the rail to size
The Installation Process
When you begin the installation process, it is important to do two things. First, make sure that your pool’s wall and coping are level with each other. Don’t worry if they aren’t perfect – just get them as close as possible before you start. Next, ensure that the bottom rail is squared up to your pool wall. You can do this by using a framing square, or if you don’t have one, use an old-school method of measurement: two pieces of string and a pencil.
Place the rail base on the pool wall with the edge against the string line. Holding onto the base with one hand, pull the string taught against the pool wall. Use a pencil to mark where the rail base touches or intersects with the swimming pool wall with your other hand.
Install posts in these positions. Once you have marked and installed all four posts (two on each side), it is time to place and install one of the bottom rails onto them.
Place the rail into position and ensure that it is square to your two string lines. You can use a pencil to mark where you will drill the holes. Drilling from the underside of the pool decking, use an electric drill with a bit large enough for your lag screws. Drill four holes at this point.
Place the second bottom rail into position, ensuring that it is square to your two string lines. And repeat the steps outlined above. Next, using a rubber hammer or mallet, drive the stakes into the ground. On each side of your pool, you’ll want at least one stake on either side of each bottom rail.
You want to install anchors onto the bottom rails so that they are securely held down. You may use screws or nails for this. If you use screws, drill a hole slightly larger than the screw size into each bottom rail. Finally, fill in around and over your new decking on both sides of your pool.
Install the anchors so that they are flush with the top of each bottom rail. You can now attach your ground cloth to all four stakes for a secure finish, and your bottom rails will be ready.
