Safety Cover Tools Storage Bag And A Good Storage Space
If you need a new safety cover anchor key, installation rod, or a heavy duty cover storage bag, get those on order beforehand. Pick out a nice summer home for your pool cover, preferably an indoor space for summer storage. I speak from experience when I say that mice love chewing holes through safety covers like swiss cheese. Store your safety cover where it wont become a home to a rodent or dinner for insects. Moth Balls and Mint Sachets can provide some protection, but dont leave it outside if possible. Store in the basement, or balanced on the rafters in a garage.
Also Check: How Much Do Blue World Pools Cost
Tip #29 When Attaching The Top Connectors Make Sure Each Upright Is Level
Once the liner is in place and has enough water in it that it cant move, its time to attach the top connectors.
Some top connectors go on tight. This means that you cant move them much later on . This is then a good time to make sure that your uprights are level.
Take a torpedo level and adjust each upright just before attaching the top connectors.
Above Ground Pool Lights
Lights are the ideal finishing touch for any above ground pool. Swimming pool lights make your above ground pool safer for swimmers , and they can also add a festive touch with fun extras like color-changing lightshows.
Whether you prefer basic white bulbs or rainbow-hues, pool lights are also an easy upgrade for your above ground pool especially if you choose LED lights. LED lights are popular with pool owners because theyre easy to install, they last a long time, and theyre more energy efficient than other types of pool lights. You can find magnetic LED light kits made specifically for above ground pools.
Of course, LED lights arent your only choice and you dont have to go the magnetic route if youre looking for a more permanent swimming pool lighting solution. Most swimming pool retailers also sell halogen light kits that mount permanently to the walls of your above ground pool .
Don’t Miss: Build Your Own Inground Pool
Tips For Maintaining An Above
As lovely as in-ground pools sound, they’re not always feasible to install in the backyard, whether it’s because of the cost, the space available, or the type of soil in the back. An above-ground pool, however, could be an option for enjoying the water during warmer months.
Above-ground swimming pools range from economical models to more luxurious styles. Many can be enjoyed throughout the year, and some use saltwater systems, which are popular with in-ground models. Above-ground pools also have options for solar heating systems and energy-efficient covers.
Contemporary models may have upgraded features that are usually seen in in-ground models, including advanced filtration systems and pumps to keep them clean. However, even above-ground pools that have built-in systems need a little hands-on work regularly to stay clean and in good working condition.
-
It’s tempting to put off above-ground pool maintenance, but you will pay for it later through water problems or pool liner issues, which are expensive to fix. To ensure that you’re taking proper care of the pool, follow a daily and weekly pool maintenance checklist.
Complete these tasks daily:
- Test the pH level to ensure it’s between 7.4 and 7.6.
- Test the chlorine level, which should be between 2.0 and 4.0 ppm.
- Check the water level, which should be around mid-skimmer.
- Empty the skimmer and pump baskets.
- Check filter pressure and pump operation.
- Skim the surface of the water.
Weekly Above Ground Pool Maintenance:
- Skim the surface, vacuum and fully brush the pool, in that order.
- Test total alkalinity, should be between 80-120 ppm.
- Clean the pool deck and surrounding areas, helps keep the pool clean.
- Add maintenance doses of algaecide, clarifier, metal control.
- Add chlorine tablets to refill the floater or chlorinator.
- Backwash or clean filter, only if pressure gauge rises 7-9 psi.
To clean your above ground pool, you’ll need pool cleaning tools, like a tele-pole, skim-net or leaf rake, pool brush, and a vacuum hose and vacuum head for vinyl pools. Brushing is important to remove films and dust particles from surfaces, where they can be filtered out of the water.
Pool pH is very alkaline dependent. Your total alkalinity level helps your pH remain stable. If too low, your pH level can fluctuate easily, and if too high, your pH level can be difficult to adjust.
Maintenance doses of algaecide and clarifier are very important for above ground pools, which can quickly turn swampy if chlorine or filtration suffers. Algaecide acts as a backup to such situations, and clarifiers help small filters immensely, to prevent cloudy water and algae blooms.
Add enough chlorine tablets to raise the chlorine level into the 2-4 ppm range, and strive for consistency. Most above ground pools use 2-4 of the 3″ chlorine tablets per week, in a chlorine floater or chlorinator.
Read Also: Is A Variable Speed Pool Pump Worth It
Tip #31 Wait Until The Pool Is Half Full Before Installing The Skimmer And Return
As a pool installer, Im looking to get the job completed and leave. As a DIYer, you have plenty of time.
Wait until the pool is half full before installing the skimmer box and return fitting and cutting the holes for them. When the pool is half full of water, the liner is set, so installing these two components has a much less margin for error.
Monthly Above Ground Pool Maintenance:
- Test calcium hardness level, should be between 200-400 ppm.
- Test cyanuric acid level, should be between 30-50 ppm.
- Shock the pool in the evening, using 2 lb. of pool shock per 10000 gallons.
- Check for hidden algae which can form behind steps and ladders.
- Clean the water line and inside skimmer walls with Tile & Vinyl Cleaner.
Calcium hardness is a measurement of the hardness of your pool water. Not as crucial for above ground pools, but water that is too soft can make it easier for vinyl liner stains to appear, can cause foaming, and can interfere with proper sanitation. Add Calcium Hardness Increaser if below 150 ppm.
Cyanuric acid is a chlorine stabilizer, protecting your chlorine from the sun. Chlorine tablets contain a small amount of cya, but to start, add stabilizer to reach an initial level of 30 ppm.
To shock an above ground pool, pour the pool shock into a 5 gallon bucket of water and stir for 1 minute to dissolve. Pour around the edge of the pool, and brush up any granules, to prevent vinyl liner bleaching.
Use a mild vinyl cleaner and a soft sponge to clean the water line area, removing oil, dirt and scale. Keeping the inside of the pool wall skimmer clean will reduce the amount of gunk that forms at the water line.
You May Like: Building A Inground Pool
Tip #20 Dont Bother With Wall Foam On A New Pool
I get it. You are getting a pool and want to get everything you can to make it as good as it can be.
I am the same way, but some things are just a waste of money. Purchasing and installing wall foam on a brand new pool is just that a waste of money.
Youll find my detailed opinion by reading my article on when to buy wall foam
Get In The Water Faster With These Tips For Installing An Above Ground Pool Should You Diy It Or Call In The Pros
If you were hoping to install an above ground pool in 2020, you may well have found it impossible.
Across the U.S., people stuck at home during the pandemic turned to swimming pools, as families put a lot of the money they didnt spend on vacations into their backyards. Whether that meant an inflatable kiddie pool, a more substantial above ground pool or the in-ground pool of their dreams, the result was the same a pool shortage. Manufacturers couldnt keep up with demand, and pool installers found themselves booked into 2021.
While inventories have improved for 2021, its still a good idea to plan ahead if you want to install an above ground pool this year. Lets take a look at the practical aspects of above ground pool installation, and whether its a realistic DIY project.
On This Page
Don’t Miss: How To Clean Pool Tile Grout
Our Favorite Pool Chemicals And Water Testing Supplies
Its hard to practice good pool maintenance if you dont have the tools to accomplish it. Stock up on a few essentials, and then build from there. Theres no point in owning a pool if its all drudgery. Having the right tools at hand will make your life a lot easier, and allow you to enjoy your pool much more.
Also Check: Vitamin C Tablets For Pool Stains
What Do You Need
The first thing you need to do before diving into the whole pool opening process is gathering the necessary tools and equipment.
When you put together everything necessary, the task will be liking walking in a park. I will take you through the whole journey to make the entire tasks simple as possible.
Youll need:
- Start-up chemical kit
Recommended Reading: Clean Concrete Pool Deck
Remove Winter Pool Plugs And Ice Compensators
With the cover safely stashed or drying in a sunny place, you can start removing winterizing pool plugs. Carefully check all around your pool, and remove the plugs from all openings, including the return jets and skimmer bucket.
If you use an ice compensator in your skimmer bucket, be sure to remove that, too.
Reinstall all your skimmer baskets and return jets into the return line. If you used a skimmer plate over the winter, make sure you remove it.
A skimmer plate is designed to keep water out of your skimmer during the winter while allowing you to keep your pool filled. Once its gone, water can flow easily when you reactivate your pools filter system.
Skimmers and filters and plugs, oh my! You can get more details about all these things and much more in The Pool Care Handbook and Video Course.
What You Need To Open Your Above Ground Pool
The basic supplies for opening your pool are probably already at hand in your pool shed. Except your friend, of course. Please dont store friends in your pool shed if you plan on keeping them as friends.
NOTE: The following links are affiliate links which means if you click a link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you. It helps us keep the lights on
Youll need:
Also Check: Concrete Paint Around Pool
The Right Way To Power Your Pool Pump
So lets say you can afford to get the proper power line run to the pools pump. What now? Well, if you are having an electrician do the job then hell figure out what he needs and may ask you to give him the requirements for the pools pump motor. Hell then come out and see where your electric box is at your house and where the pump is and then depending on how much digging he has to do, will charge you accordingly. Hell take it from there and all youll have to do is pay him and youre done.
Heres a list of what you need to know:
The electrical component of an above ground swimming pool is pretty important. If you have a budget, dont cut your corners here. If you have to, dont buy that fancy float that holds four beers so that you can get your electrical work done right.
How To Fill An Above Ground Pool
If youre ready to fill your above ground swimming pool, Im going to assume youve already taken care of everything else.
Its set up where you want it and the necessary plumbing is installed or you have someone scheduled to install it.
But the big question is, How do you fill it up? Where does all that water come from?
Right?
Not to worry. You have a few options. You just have to find the one that works best for you in the area where you live.
Read Also: Do Fire Departments Fill Pools
Tip #8 Make Sure The Bottom Track Is Round
What I mean here is that you want to make sure that the bottom track is shaped correctly. Many round above-ground pools wind up being more egg-shaped because they werent rounded well during this stage.
If alone, find the absolute center of the pool, use a screwdriver and a rolled-type tape measure. Fasten the tape measure to the screwdriver and stick it in the center. Now measure out to the bottom track and make sure it is even all the way around so its a true circle.
If there are two of you, measure across the pool opposite of each upright to make sure the circle is true.
NOTE:Dont spend too much time getting the track perfectly round. The track will move during the wall insertion, so just make sure that you are starting out nice and round.
NOTE:If the bottom track moved a lot during the wall installation, then you can re-round it with the pool wall up. Youll do this before you make or install the coving.
Is A Pool Fence Required Around An Above Ground Pool
According to the Swimming Pools Regulations 2008, the walls of the above ground pool is not considered as an effective child-resistant barrier. This means that this type of pools must still comply with the pool fence compliance regulations.
This regulation was also stated on the Building Code of Australia Part 3.9.3. Aside from the pool safety legislations, pool owners should always keep their above ground pools in good condition.
You May Like: What Should The Cyanuric Acid Level Be In My Pool
Tip #16 Use Something Hard To Roll The Wall On
The pools wall comes coiled up and will need to be unrolled as you insert it in the bottom track. This means that the wall will be moving around the inside of the pool as it gets installed.
The wall is the heaviest part of the pool. It will not like to move directly on the earth or sand. Its best to have two pieces of a hard surface that you can roll out the wall on.
I use two 2×4 pieces of thin plywood for this but used just use the cardboard from the pool boxes for years. You want two pieces so you can replace them on the earth as you move the wall around the pool during its install.
If you dont know exactly what I mean here, you will when you try to roll that heavy pool wall in the dirt/sand.
Regularly Clean Out The Pump And Skimmer Baskets
A pump basket collects debris before it can reach the pump, while a pool skimmer pulls in water from the pools surface. A skimmer captures leaves and other debris in a basket before it enters the filtration system. Its important to clean out the pump and skimmer baskets at least once a week. Always turn off the pool pump and heater before you clean out the baskets.
Don’t Miss: How Much Does An Inground Pool Add To Home Value
Above Ground Pool Liner Price
Above ground pool liners will range in pricing depending on their thickness and how they attach to the pool wall. Common liner thicknesses are 18 25 mil, and the liner will either overlap the pool wall or will attach to the top track of the pool .
Pricing for the pool liner ranges from $100 $1,000 depending on thickness, type , and the size of your pool. Entry level liners will be a plain blue overlap style. Next will be printed bottom overlap liner, and then a full print overlap liner. Finally, you have beaded liners which fluctuate in price simply based on their thickness, as they come in full print options only.
Build The Bottom Ring:
Follow the instructions that come with your above ground pool package as each type, brand and size of pool have different instructions. In general, you will be using your plates, stabilizers and rails. Here are some tips to identify each piece:
- Your plates will be made of metal or resin
- The bottom stabilizer should be crimped on one side. It has smaller rails
- The bottom rail is straighter and larger than the stabilizer.
- Lay out the pieces and assemble as instructed. Generally, you will be sliding the bottom rail into the bottom plate up to the dimple on the plate.
- Remember to measure the bottom track in several locations to ensure that the pool is truly round and the correct size. If the size is correct, stake the ring into position. If not, contact Pool Supplies Canada immediately.On oval pools make sure diagonal measurements match . Double and triple check the diagonal measurements and keep doing this over and over.
You May Like: Tankless Pool Water Heater
