Filling An Above Ground Pool

by Chris
(NY)

I am installing a 21' Trevi Resin pool. I am a little confused as to when it is appropriate to install the uprights. Should the pool be filled before installing the uprights, or should these uprights be installed before the pool is filling?

Also, as a pool fills with water is it normal for there to be some buckling in the pool wall? Will this work itself out as the pool fills?




Hi Chris. There are many different ways to install a liner, depending on your type of liner and depending on which method you choose. But in all cases the pool should be completely built before the water is more than a few inches deep.

I think that all pool should be completely assembled without water. I recommend this for several reasons. Building the pool frame as the wall is being installed prevents the pool from blowing over. It also lets you see how the pool is going to look when water is in it.

You build the pool and then you look it over. Check the bottom rails and make sure there are not spaces under them. The entire frame should be sitting on solid ground.

This is a good time to recheck the pool level. Eyeball across the pool to see if you have any high or low posts. These become an eye sore once the pool is filled.

The sidewall buckling sounds like a problem to me, it should not be doing that. You may want to fix this problem, if it is one, before adding any more water.

Take a look at a few of my pages regarding pool installation and liner installation. You may find some tips that will help you out. The pool installation page shows one of the few pools where I do not build the entire frame before installing the liner. Instead we are just using the metal retaining rods to stabilize the wall. We always have something keeping the wall from falling down.

Above Ground Swimming Pool Installation

This page clearly shows how we install the majority of our pool liners, not just deep end pools.

Expandable Liner Installation

Diamond Star Pool Installation