Selecting the right above ground swimming pool isn’t difficult. With a little knowledge and planning, you can have an above ground swimming pool that will give you and your family years of enjoyment.
Firstly you need to think a few things over before you head off to the swimming pool store. Where you are going to locate your pool should be right at the top of the list. The ground where the pool will be installed should be as flat as possible. This will make installation easier. Also, you should locate your pool away from trees and tall shrubs. Leaves, sticks, bugs and other debris will reap havoc on your chemical levels, making it very difficult to keep that crystal clear water we all enjoy. Try to place your pool in an area that gets 6 to 8 hours of sunlight a day.
The next thing to consider before selecting your new pool is its size. Above ground pools are both oval shaped and round. The round pool, being the most popular, can range in size from 12 ft to 32 ft across and have a depth from 32 inches to 54 inches. The actual size you select will be a combination of the number of people using it, the space available for installation and your budget.
In addition to the size of your pool, you should also know the parts that make up your new above ground pool. Above ground pools use a liner, generally vinyl, to hold water. Inexpensive and lower end pools will use a thinner liner where more expensive pools will use a thicker one. Thicker is definitely better when it comes to liners. So if the pool you select has a thin liner, consider upgrading to a thicker one.
Top rails are what attach the liner to the pool wall and holds your liner in place. Consider a pool that has a heavy top rail. Thinner ones will tend to bend out of shape very easily. Next is the pump. Make sure it is a large capacity pump. If the pump that come with the pool you select seems too small, it probably is.
One final note to selecting the right above ground pool. Remember that everything is interchangeable. Just because the pool package you select comes with this pump and that liner, does not mean you have to settle with that. Most pool retailers will mix and match to give you the pool of your dreams.
So, go have fun and don’t forget the sunscreen!
