Buying a Used Pool

by Angie
(Kersey, PA)

Your website is really awesome and informative! Thank you. We are looking to buy a used pool and found one that was well taken care of but its about 18 years old- Hayward 24' above ground with the decking and fencing around it for $350. We are going to go look at it to make sure there is no corrosion etc. Do you think this is to old of a pool to buy used?


Hi Angie. Since the filter, cleaning equipment, fence and decking should easily be worth the 350 you are paying I would say you are probably getting a good deal. The pool is old so I would look at it very closely. At that age it could still be like new, or ready for the scrap pile.

The bottom rails are usually the first to go on an above ground pool. Try to dig out enough dirt to get a close look at them. The connectors are the next thing to go. You could unscrew an upright from the foot connector and take a look in behind it. Did the screw come out OK? Is the connector plate in good shape, did the tabs fall off when you removed the screws? Does the bottom track look like it could be removed from the footplate without falling apart? A close examination behind an upright can tell you a lot about a pool.

If the pool is full of water you will not be able to see the inside of the wall. If it is empty, examine the wall for rust, pull back the cove and check the bottom rail also. With a full pool you will want to pay particular attention to the bottom foot or so of the sidewall. Take the time to pull back, or dig out, anything that is around the pool. You want to see as much of the wall and bottom track as possible.

In order to properly move an above ground pool the wall should be unbolted and rolled up. Trying to move a pool wall without unbolting it is just wrong, and it’s a good way to damage it. So, knowing you will be taking out the wall bolts, locate them and see if they are in good condition. Can they be removed with a screw driver and wrench or are they rusted solid?

Many people buy used pools knowing they will have to buy replacement parts. Then they discover they cannot locate the parts, or they are outrageously expensive. If you know you will be needing parts, locate these parts and get prices on them before you buy the pool.

Be sure to include the cost of a new liner in your figures. Many people are told they can reuse the liner and then find out they can’t, so there goes a few hundred dollars that was not in the budget.