Hints, Tips and Tricks for an Above Ground Pool

Before you have your Above Ground Pool installed, take a few minutes to make sure you have the BEST location.  It is OK to have some shade from the house, but you don't want trees close by as you will spend a LOT of time cleaning leaves out. 

If you are in the process of Buying a pool, make sure not to get an unusual size.  When we purchase our pool they had a great deal on a 20 foot round pool.  Turns out the standard sizes are 18 and 21 feet.  So each time we needed to replace the liner had problems finding our size and paid much more for it with fewer options.

If the pool is getting ready to be installed, or if you are having a new liner installed it is a good idea to ask the installers to scoop out the middle to make it a bit deeper than the rest of the pool.  Going to the middle of our pool we have it about 8 inches deeper than the depth on the side.  

Stock up on Supplies you need for the pool as it is best not to run out during prime swimming time.  We like to buy our supplies in the Early Spring or Late Fall when sales can be had.  

 

We prefer a Cartridge filter system and always have a spare Cartridge.  That way when you change out the filter you can start the pump while using a spray hose of water for cleaning out the old cartridge.  

In the picture you can see we installed a cover to go over the electric pump to keep the hot sun off it.  We normally will change out the Cartridge about once a month, but have had to change it more often after big family swimming's.  You can tell the change is needed when the output from the pump gets much weaker.  The pressure gauge for normal operation is around 10-15 psi and will climb to over 20 when needing cleaning.  About once a swim season we use a Cartridge Filter Cleaner spray to help remove calcium deposits that reduce pressure.  You spray it on the Cartridge and let sit for 20-30 minutes then hose off.  Heavy use of Sun Tan lotion will most likely require more frequent cleanings of the cartridge. 

During normal operation of the pool we add 2-3 Chlorinating tablets to the float container and shock it once a week.  We have tried generic Shock packets to save money, but found they didn't dissolve well and several times I had to break up the powder with a hammer before putting them in the pool.  Generic shock will also not dissolve completely and may clump up on the bottom of the pool for a time.  We found using Clorox XTRA Blue Tablets and Shock gave the best results for keeping our pool clean.  Both have ingredients to kill Algae and we found the Shock always dissolves completely.  Since using this brand we have not had an Algae outbreak in the pool for the last 3 years. 

Having a large body of water in your yard you might find Gnats starting to swarm the area.  We found lighting a couple of Tiki torches with citronella oil help to keep them away while swimming.  

After a big rain you might want to shock the pool before use.  Many times we get a lot of dirt in the bottom of the pool from the rain and find the need to use an above ground pool vacuum.  Be sure to have a good leaf skimmer net for daily cleanup of debris. 

Expected upkeep, not counting the water going in will be:

Shock - 1 bag per week during the summer

Chlorine Tablets - 2-3 per week 

Test Strips - test at least monthly 

Liner for the pool - should last 5-7 years

One Time items:

Outdoor programmable waterproof 10 amp timer - preferably Wi-Fi to allow turning pump on & off 

Chlorinating tablet float - don't get a cute duck or animal, don't want kids playing with this

Outdoor Umbrella 

Above Ground pool Vacuum

Leaf skimmer net

 

Optional items:

Tiki torch

Spray Cartridge filter cleaner - spray on about once a swimming season

Cover for Motor

Floating  thermometer - make sure it has Fahrenheit reading

Gorilla Waterproof Patch & Seal Tape - to repair damage to liner

Clothes line to hang wet towels and suits

Storage locker or Bench to store equipment - lockable if small children are around

A completely optional item is a better ladder that makes is easy for kids and older people to get in and out of the pool.