Best Solar Blanket: Sun2solar Clear Solar Cover
The Sun2Solar Clear Solar Cover is designed to keep your pool warm while youre not using it during the day. It also does a good job of preventing the evaporation of your pool water and keeping dirt out of your pool.
Sun2Solar clear solar blankets are made using films with thousands of tiny bubbles and they all work together to collect and retain heat in your pool. The air bubbles capture and transmit heat from the sun to your above ground pool to increase the temperature of your pool water.
Also, these solar blankers can fit all sorts of above ground pool sizes, all you have to do is grab a marker and a pair of scissors to cut it to your desired shape and size.
How Long Do They Usually They Last
Answer: A very long time.
Fiberglass pools will come with 2 warranties: one on the fiberglass structure itself, and another on the gel coating.
Youll have to read the fine print regarding warranty, but the fiberglass structure is designed to last upwards of 50 years.
As for the gel coating, it should last between 20 and 30 years. Once the gel is at the end of its lifespan, you can resurface the pool with a new layer of gel. This keeps you from having to replace the entire structure.
However, its important to remember that your pool water chemistry should always be well maintained to avoid negatively impacting the finish and prematurely degrading it.
Are Swimming Pool Heaters Worth It
Not all states are created equal when it comes to sunshine and temperature. In sunny Florida or California, the idea of installing a pool heater may seem ludicrous. In Northern New York, however, investing in a pool heater is just plain common sense. In this article, we take a closer look at the types of swimming pool heaters and the many benefits that they can offer.
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How Do They Impact Water Chemistry
Answer: They dont.
Simply put, fiberglass pools dont affect the chemistry of the water in any way because their surface is inert.
Of course, you still have to keep on top of all the proper chemical levels to keep the water clean. pH, chlorine, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and cyanuric acid should all be checked weekly via pool water testing.
As fiberglass pools wont cause the water to become acidic or alkaline, youll have to balance the pool water less often, saving you money on chemicals.
Whereas, a concrete pool , increases the waters pH level over time. This means youll constantly be adding chemicals to reduce the pH level of the pool to bring the water back into balance.
Of note, a fiberglass pool will keep your water warmer than its competitors. This is due to the nature of its inert finish, which keeps the structure from absorbing heat. Youll be able to save money by running your pool heater less often, and you may even be able to get away with only using a solar cover.
Having Original Paperwork Is Helpful
It is so nice to have the sales receipt and paperwork for the pool when selling it. The paperwork will have answers like the size and height of the pool, the model name , any options that came with it, and the original price.
Having the paperwork for the pool legitimizes it and makes the potential buyer feel better about the product.
Please note that most above-ground pool warranties or not transferable.
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Standard Above Ground Pool Depths
Above ground pools come in three standard wall height depths: 48, 52 and 54 remember that these measurements are the height of the pool wall, not the depth of the gallons of water it contains, the actual water level will be 6 lower than this. If you find that this is too shallow for you, you can increase your water depth by creating a deep end.
And You Won’t Get All The Money Back
Pools are not kitchens: Spending big on one doesn’t mean getting the money back when it’s time to sell. Half the investment might be recouped on an in-ground pool, but only in very warm climates that boast good swimming weather most of the year, Money Crashers says. An above-ground pool may even cost money when it’s time to sell, as many buyers consider them an eyesore.
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It’s Not Exactly ‘green’
If you’re concerned about living an eco-friendly life, getting a pool probably isn’t the best move. Increased electricity and water use not only affect a utility bill, but the environment, too. Researchers have found that environmental impacts are much greater in warmer, more arid climates where pools are likely to get greater use.
Best Above Ground Pools
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Above ground pools are an excellent choice for smaller yards and cost a fraction of the price of significant inground pool installation, but there are so many options out there its impossible to choose. Our team has put together a detailed above ground pool review and buying guide to help out. You dont have to read a bunch of guides to find the best above ground pool to fit your budget, needs, and yard.
With so many types, shapes, sizes, and manufacturers out there, its easy to be suckered into buying a low-quality pool. Even though they are less expensive than inground pools, above ground pools are nonetheless an investment, and you want them to last as long as possible. Weve put together a selection of the highest-rated pools by real customers and tips to make the pool last years on end.
Especially with above ground pools, its not just about turning to a trusted manufacturer. The best way to get the most up-to-date feedback on a product is to ask the customers that are already using it. Weve gathered this information to pool together a fantastic list of pool options that customers have deemed to be the most durable, cost-effective, and easy to install.
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G How Much Do Inground Vs Semi
A semi inground pool costs from $6,800 to $20,000 on average. The price varies based on the size, shape, materials and prep work required to install it. This option is partially above ground and partially below. Its often cheaper than an inground model and is ideal for those who live on a slope or hill.
Hire an Above Ground Pool Installer Near You
Youll Get More Intimate With Your Homeowners Insurance Policy Than Your Spouse
When you own a house opposed to an apartment, you should always check the fine print in your homeowners insurance before commencing any major repairs or renovations. Depending on where you are and local insurance laws, your policy may have specific provisions for pools. If pools are less common where you live, you might need an extra rider when you buy your home or get the pool installed.
Pools can present a liability issue if you have guests over and someone gets hurt, which can put a real damper on the pool party. That can result in spending your summer vacation on the phone with lawyers, which no one wants. But property losses due to natural disasters and accidents can also present murkier stuff than what you yanked out of the pool filter: in the 2015 court case Bozek v. Erie Insurance Group, the plaintiff won their case against the insurance company because coverage was improperly denied. The Bozeks pool was emptied for cleaning, heavy rain came, and the pool lifted upward due to the pressure on the soil which irreparably damaged both the pool and the concrete slab it was on. The Bozeks homeowners insurance was supposed to cover up to $89,000 in property damage related to the pool, but Erie denied it based on the policys anticoncurrent causation clause. Courts look at the timing of disasters like this and circumstances that possibly led to them .
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Spray The Wall Bolts With Wd
All metal-walled above-ground pools have wall bolts to connect both ends of the wall. These bolts run through the wall from the top to the bottom in a straight line.
Wall bolts are made of corrosion-resistant metals like stainless steel, but they can still fuse together over time. Its common for these bolts to not want to loosen, so by soaking them with a penetrant like WD-40 way ahead of time will help a lot.
Spraying the wall bolts with WD-40 an hour or a day before trying to remove them can make the difference between getting the wall apart and not.
With most models and with a professional installation, the wall bolts will usually be hidden behind an upright directly next to the skimmer and return openings. Gain access to them and spray them down with WD-40. You can do this weeks before selling the pool if you like. You can even hit it a few times over a period and that will help when the time comes to take them apart.
If the pool is drained and the liner is out, remove the tape covering the wall bolts from inside the pool and spray them with WD-40. This way, youll have sprayed both sides of the wall bolts.
Learn More About Above Ground Pools
Before making the plunge into above ground pool ownership, make sure youve gotten educated first. For instance, above ground pools do require chemicals for water maintenance. But did you know that above ground pools can be converted to saltwater? Weve also got everything you need to know about filling an above ground pool with water and how to empty an above ground pool. You should also learn how to winterize your above ground pool to keep it in great shape for next season. We hope your new above ground pool brings you many years of enjoyment!
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Have An Installer Available If You Can
Please keep in mind that you are not trying to sell something like a freezer or gas grill. Above ground pools need to be disassembled and re-installed.
People love it when you can make things easier for them. Doing the leg-work and having installer information available will often make the difference between selling the pool and not.
If you had the pool installed, see if you can contact the original installer. He will be much more likely to disassemble it, move it, and/or re-install it than other installers.
To find an above ground pool installer, read this
If You Can Offer Disassembly And/or Delivery But Charge More For That
As mentioned earlier, people like simple.
Theres more to buying a used above-ground swimming pool than just paying for it. It has to be disassembled, transported, and then re-installed. Offering to take the pool down and/or deliver it may make the difference between selling it or not.
If you do provide taking down the pool and/or delivering it, my recommendation is to charge more for that. Its a lot of work and extra liability.
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Why We Chose An Above Ground Pool:
Living in the country, we are blessed to have several large, old, beautiful trees in our yard. One of which sprouted up the year we bought this home when I was a child , and my parents let it grow. That tree has literally been here as long as I have. Sadly, there was no way to install an in-ground pool without risk of damaging the roots to that tree.
Additionally, the cost of a new in-ground pool was almost triple that of an above ground pool. With proper care an above ground pool can last 25+ years, and if we still use it regularly at that time, we would most likely invest in a few one. But we probably wont have to buy another one at our age. We will most likely have to replace the liner in 10-12 years, but thats only $1500 or so, which is minimal when it comes to the repair costs of an in-ground pool.
If Disassembling Make Very Sure That You Dont Lose Any Parts
There can be a lot of little parts that go with an above-ground pool. Most of those parts are unique to the model and maker of the pool, so replacing lost parts can be a pain.
Be very systematic when disassembling the pool. Organize the parts well for storage or transport. Count everything before, during, and after disassembly.
Some parts of the pool may be buried in the ground a little. Make sure that you have removed all of the bottom track and bottom connectors from the pool site.
There will be all the same number of top rails, top connector plates, bottom rails, bottom connector plates, uprights, top rails, and top caps . This will help you to make sure that you have all the parts of the pool frame.
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Where Is Gauge Or Ga Really Used
Gauge is a unit of thickness used primarily in the metal manufacturing industry. You can Google geek out on the origin of the term gauge in the early part of the industrial revolution here
Most guys over the age of at least 40 will know that when buying electrical wire, that its thickness is described in gauge or ga for short. We also know that its strange and senseless in that the higher the gauge number, the thinner the wire.
As an example, an extension cord with #12ga wire is thicker than an extension cord made of #16 wire.
This helps prove the meaninglessness of using gauge in describing the thickness of a pool liner because a 25ga liner is thicker than a 20ga liner is. This is the opposite of how ga or gauge is used.
Determine A Realistic Price
Everybody is different. Some think what they have is worth a lot more than it is. Others will sell stuff way too cheap and then regret it later when they find out that they couldve gotten a lot more.
As a general rule, a used above-ground pool is worth less than most think. Many will try to sell their used pool for way more than anyone would be willing to pay.
Read my article How Much Should You Pay for a Used Above Ground Swimming Pool to help determine what your pool is worth.
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How Will You Budget For The Installation And Maintenance
Installation costs are comprised of two components:
- The kit
- The installation process
Typically, kits can cost between $1.5K and $8K, depending on the quality and size of the pool.
The installation cost will likely run between $1K and $3K – again depending on the size and type of the pool. In all, youre looking at about $2.5K up to $11K for the best above ground pools.
Above ground pool prices depend on many different factors. These include:
- Size. This involves the perimeter, height, and shape. Smaller, 12 round pools generally start on the lower end, whereas the bigger, oval pools tend to be more expensive.
- . These are optional, but do a ton to make the pool easier to access and more appealing. Decks can typically add a minimum of $2,500 to the overall cost.
- Water. $80 – $1,200.
- Maintenance. $50 – $100/month
A Swimming Pool Is A Terrible Investment
When I was a boy, our family installed a swimming pool in our backyard. This was a big deal. I remember my friends being excited, and all of our neighbors were a bit envious. There was one exception, though. A woman we knew delivered a frightening warning on the eve of construction:
Therell be a day when you wish it was paved over with concrete.
She then cackled wildly, jumped on her broom, and flew away.
OK, she wasnt a witch and was normally a really nice person, but why so negative? Captain Buzzkill was trying to rain on our tropical paradise. Thankfully my parents laughed off her comment and got with the digging.
There was only one small problem. She was right!
Pools are a beating. Having had one for years and having experienced the maintenance firsthand, I wouldnt want one now if you gave it to me for free. And they are nowhere even close to the realm of free.
So as summer approaches and you gaze with envy at neighbors with pools Im here to caution that a swimming pool is a terrible investment.
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Whats The Return Also Whats A Return
Investopedia estimates a pool will give a return between 15 and 25%. They even use the term ROI. Theres only one problem theyre actually saying that you may be able to recover 15 to 25% of the pool cost when you sell your home.
That is all very confusing to me, so I asked my 9 y.o. to explain it to me in language I could better understand. He read the article, worked the numbers, and offered this:
It sounds like you will lose money when you install a pool. You will lose almost all of it! You may get some of it back when you sell your house, but it wont be much.
But lets not be too hard on Investopedia. If youve ever investigated home improvements, this concept of return meaning the money that remains after most of it has been flushed down the toilet is pretty much the standard out there.*
The point is that you shouldnt plan on recovering much of a pools installation cost. If youre going to write that monster check to create your backyard tropical paradise, just know its pretty much an expense, not an investment.
