All summer we’ve enjoyed our new above ground pool. It’s been so much fun to be able to relax with friends and family or just by ourselves. Since I shared our new above ground pool deck a couple of weeks ago, I’ve had several readers ask for tips on buying an above ground pool, so I’m sharing a few thoughts on what we did, and the positives and negatives of it all.
Why we chose an above ground pool:
Living in the country, we are blessed to have several large, old, beautiful trees in our yard. One of which sprouted up the year we bought this home when I was a child (because we live where I grew up), and my parents let it grow. That tree has literally been here as long as I have. Sadly, there was no way to install an in-ground pool without risk of damaging the roots to that tree.
Additionally, the cost of a new in-ground pool was almost triple that of an above ground pool. With proper care an above ground pool can last 25+ years, and if we still use it regularly at that time, we would most likely invest in a few one. But we probably won’t have to buy another one at our age. We will most likely have to replace the liner in 10-12 years, but that’s only $1500 or so, which is minimal when it comes to the repair costs of an in-ground pool.
Do your research & buy your above ground pool from a reputable company.
My biggest regret was that we purchased our pool from the biggest distributor in the country, Family Leisure. They were terrible to deal with. Admittedly, I didn’t do my research before, I just assumed that being the biggest in the country meant they were reputable. I was so very wrong.
When we purchased our pool it came with free installation, which was great because we did not want to install it ourselves. If you’ve been here before, you know we are hard core DIYers. We’ve only ever had two other contractors on our property – one to install a new HVAC unit, and another to pour concrete for our garage floor. We’ve literally gutted this house from end to end, inside and out. But the thought of installing our own pool wasn’t intriguing. So we intended to pay for installation if needed.
The problems came from the first day, when the original people who set up our pool didn’t properly finish the sand on the bottom. Which left wrinkles. Which meant that a few weeks later the entire pool (that had been completely filled) had to be drained, fixed and refilled.
The next problem was that the pump was missing an O-ring. It came that way from the manufacturer, but wasn’t checked when installed so as soon as the water was high enough to start draining into the filter, water went right out of it like a geyser. After that was fixed, there was a leak in the sand filter. It took four different service calls, two months, and three different pool guys to figure out to replace a part that was cross threaded.
Problems went on and on and on…. in total we had over 20 visits from different pool installers/techs/etc. to fix the problems. And then we had more issues with the chemicals. But that’s further down the post.
In other words – ask questions, read reviews, get referrals from your friends. But most likely the best bet is to find a local mom & pop pool company that’s been in business a long time. They wouldn’t still be there if they didn’t know what they were doing. If I had it to do over again, that would be the one thing I would change.
Side note: I have NEVER, in nearly 10 years of blogging here, written badly about any company. Ever. But this company was so difficult I felt like it was worth it to share our experience with those who are considering buying a pool.
Consider your chemicals:
For almost 4 years, we had a metal frame above ground pool from Target. We used chlorine in it and found it easy to maintain. When we went to buy this pool, Family Leisure sold us on the PermaSalt system. We asked about a salt water pool, and they sold us that instead.
Their claim was that it was much easier to maintain, just pour a bag and bottle of chemicals in the pool once every two weeks and it would keep your water crystal clear. I tried and tried for weeks to keep everything just right – because you still have to monitor the PH & alkalinity of the water. But after repeatedly calling and getting the run around about not having clear water, it never worked for me. I honestly felt like they blamed me for not taking care of our pool.
The PermaSalt system isn’t really a salt system, its a copper ion system that runs with their “enzymes” (which they have no idea what they actually are.) And when I finally demanded they remove the system that hadn’t worked in all the weeks it had been installed, it turned out that there was a short in the system and it was never working properly. But in all those calls (probably a dozen or so), Family Leisure never once thought to actually check the system itself.
The day it was removed, we started chlorine chemicals and the next day we had a crystal clear pool. And it’s been clear ever since.
With all that said, if I had a chance to do a TRUE salt system, I probably would. But it would mean a huge investment, and I’m not sure if I want to make that investment when I actually know how to maintain a chlorine pool. (And at levels that aren’t harsh, overwhelming, or bleaches out everything.)
Why we bought a 30 ft. round pool:
Over the last few years in our small pool, we’d had a lot of close family and friends join in to enjoy it. So we decided to go bigger – much bigger – from an 18 ft. round to a 30 ft. round so there was plenty of space for everyone to all jump in the pool at once and have room for more. It’s amazing!
Honestly our pool is wider than our house. Crazy, huh? But we’ve had 15 people in there at once and it feels so spacious. There’s also plenty of room to swim for exercise, too.
We chose a 52 inch tall pool so we would have 46 inches deep of water. The only size larger was a 54 inch tall with 48 inches of water – however it was $700 more and I just couldn’t see giving that much more for 2 inches of water.
There are much larger pools, and much smaller. But I do know that a round pool has more swimming area than an oval pool does. So there’s that to consider.
Tips on Decking Around the Pool:
THIS IS ONLY FOR REFERENCE – NOT INSTRUCTIONS.
Figuring out how to deck all the way around the pool was tricky. We couldn’t’ find info anywhere on how to do it, so we kind of had to figure it out on our own.
We did learn how to get boards up under the lip of the pool, by framing it in (as shown above) and then using a jigsaw to cut out exactly what we needed to get the decking boards under the top plate of the pool.
We also had to figure out how to frame around the pump. We built removable pieces to get to the mechanics of the pump, and there’s a gate in the side of the pickets around the pool so we have access to it.
I think that’s about all the tips I have. But if you have more questions, we’d be glad to answer them in the comments below 🙂
Jackie Whorton says
Your ‘pool episode ‘ sounds so familiar. I also jumped in with a pool purchase without doing more research. And of course, I was burnt by my pool company and independent pool installer.
sallee keller says
Thank you both. I was trying to decide what company to use. I’m going with a local company that has been here over 20 years. Not taking a chance. Much appreciated
Desarae says
Where did you buy the big pool from? The one you have now.
Gina Luker says
We went with a large company, I would NOT recommend them, it was a nightmare! I would go with a local Mom and Pop company, you will get much more care and attention as they rely on word of mouth. Good luck 🙂
Kathy S says
So can relate. Only with an Inground. When we moved in the liner was sagging and wouldn’t stay in the track. It hadn’t been installed right. My husband had to build and edge all around it to support it. And a new liner was over $2000 at that time. We spent one summer telling the installers and they were a local company, that it wouldn’t hold water. I kept saying it was the built in steps. It was August before that was finally fixed and had a huge water bill. Hubby did install his own salt water system and it was great. Miss that pool since we no longer live there. But don’t miss the maintenance and cost. The ppl that moved in didn’t do anything to it the first year and it’s ruined now. So to those who don’t have one but want one just know they are work and money.
Gina Luker says
Wow Kathy! I am so sorry your pool experience was so difficult. They are a lot of work but also a lot of fun family time 🙂
Megan Jenson says
Thank you for sharing these tips 🙂
Kristen Maxwell says
How big is your deck?
Gina Luker says
It is 39×52 ft Kristen, here is a link to a post I wrote on building it, https://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/above-ground-pool-deck.html 🙂
Laura Snowden says
Hi there! I am hoping you can help me. I went to a local business to purchase a pool and I have been quoted at a 21ftx54ft round above ground pool for $3100 with an upgraded sand filter and foam round at the bottom (only $300 in upgrades). None of that includes installation. I am having a difficult time wrapping my head around that price when I found an online store (the pool factory) with great reviews and it is half the price with the same upgrades. How do you decide between those (lol)? If I can save almost $2,000, I’d prefer to but i dont want crap either.
Gina Luker says
I would read the reviews for both, that is a big difference!
Carmen says
Do you feel 18′ is too small for 2 people who occasionally have friends and family over for cookouts?
Gina Luker says
Hi Carmen, it is a totally personal decision. We really enjoy the larger size but go with what you feel is best for you and your family 🙂 Good luck!
Holly says
I could have almost written this post word for word. Bought a 30′ pool from the Big Leisure store in town. They sold me on the “Simple Salt” system (ionizer just like Perma Salt). After install, washer around the return was cracked so we lost a tremendous amount of water. Got that fixed and then ran all of the “start-up” chemicals they gave me and did exactly as instructions indicated. Within a few days, water was cloudy. Did a shock treatment. Water cleared. Two days later, back to cloudy water. Took water sample to Big Leisure store. They sold me $200 worth of “needed” chemicals. Put in as instructed. Still had cloudy water. A week or so later, we got mustard algae, which is apparently the DEVIL to get rid of. We’ve had our pool for five weeks and have been battling mustard algae almost since we got the pool. What was supposed to be great quality family time has turned into a living nightmare.
My question to you is how did you convert from this to a normal chlorine pool? Did you have to drain the water to get the salt out? Did you have to buy additional equipment or did you just start putting chlorine tablets in the pool? Do you put them in the filter or a dispenser? I am a new pool owner, so please be as specific as possible! THANK YOU for any response you can give me!
Gina Luker says
Hey Holly,
With the system we had the chemicals pretty much just go away after a few days. If I were you though, I’d drain it, clean the pool then refill. We sprinkle shock from around the edges, but all other chemicals (chlorine tabs, ph+ or minus, baking soda [for alkalinity]) all go in the basket. Good luck!!
Tammy says
What is the brand of your pool?
Gina Luker says
Hi Tammy, I do not remember but in all honesty, I wouldn’t recommend it anyway, we had a lot of problems with it in the beginning. Good luck to you!!