Above Ground Pool Help

9. What can I do to keep grass from growing through my vinyl liner?

Before a pool can be installed the ground must be treated for whatever kind of growth you had to clear out. Most importantly, always keep a 2' barrier around the outside of the pool free of any vegetation.

10. Do you ever give advice for do it yourselfers?

Yes. After 12 hrs in the field working I come home to 20-30 calls from customers wanting to schedule jobs or get advice on their projects. Anyone trying to do it themselves will always get all the advice I can give them. Why, well, long ago I fixed my wife's sewing machine. I thought I had done a great job, but several hundred dollars later the sewing machine repair man told my wife not to ever let her husband work on the machine again. If I had had someone to call when I had that sewing machine all over the table in a bunch of pieces I bet I could have put it back together. I don't mind being that person. You can always contact me.

11. Can I install my above ground swimming pool in the ground?

I do that a lot. It usually voids the manufactures warrantee, but that's only on the pool wall, and from what I've seen, they last as long in the ground as on top. I do recommend leaving at least a foot out of the ground, 6" min.. The ground on the outside of the pool tends to cave in without the weight of the water pushing against it. You should also dig the hole at least 3' bigger than the pool all the way around to facilitate installation. And never ever leave the pool sit empty.

12. Can I heat my above ground swimming pool?

Yes, there are several different options available for heating vinyl lined pools. The least expensive would be the solar cover.   For a hundred dollars or so you can expect to swim an extra month at the beginning and end of the season. They will raise the water temperature by about 10 degrees. A solar cover is a must for using any other type of heater because they help heat the pool by day and prevent heat loss by night. The next option to add are solar panels.   Your filter pumps water through the panels and back into the pool. The bigger the pool the more panels you will need. The panels can be mounted on the ground or on a roof. The most expensive way to go are the electric or natural gas heaters.  They get plumbed right into the filter system and can heat the water to any temp you desire.

13. What tools would I need to install my own above ground pool?

I have a tool box with the usual stuff, screwdrivers, a hammer, tape measures, some wrenches and a roll of string. I use a lot of cordless drills. It is so much faster than putting all those screws in the old fashion way, like we did in the olden days. My most important tool is my laser level. I use it to level the ground and each individual post. Don't attempt pool construction without one. They are inexpensive to rent for a day or two and the people at the rental shop will show you how to set them up and use them. The last thing I would never leave home without is my Ryan Jr. sod cutter. I use it to cut the sod and then again to chop the dirt up for leveling and once more for packing the entire pool area before my final raking. Most rental companies handle them and will show you how to use them.

14. Does my pool have to sit on level ground?

Yes, that is probably the most important part of pool building. I use a laser level for the entire pool area and then again for each individual upright.

15. How long should my above ground pool last?

Pools will normally last between 5-15 yrs. I have seen a few rust away around the bottom in just a few years. I have seen others that are 15-20yrs old and doing just fine. It depends a lot on the quality of the pool and the type of dirt the pool is sitting on.

16. What can I do to make my pool last longer?

First of all, don't let a leaky liner stay in your pool {the water will eat the wall away} either patch it or change it. Second, every time you change the liner examine the inside wall of your pool. If you see any rust, sand it away and spray on some rustolium. And last but not least, don't sit on or jump off the pool rails. Use a deck for this.

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