How to Install an Above Ground Swimming Pool

The heat of summer beats down and everyone longs for the cool water of a swimming pool. Don't have an underground pool or $10,000 to build one? Then get an above ground pool and let the summer parties begin! Of course, you have to set up the darn thing, which may seem like more work than it's worth. But, with a little help from someone who's set up more than his fair share, you'll find that it's easier than you thought and something everyone will enjoy.

Things You'll Need

• Above ground pool
• Weed killer
• Garden bow rake
• Half yard of mason sand
• 7' to 8' 2x4
• Level

Instructions

1. 

   Once you've brought your above ground pool home, make sure you know exactly where you want to set it up. If you have a level surface already, great! If not, you need to find one that is mostly level. It'll make your work easier later on. Even though a grassy surface seems to be the ideal spot, they can actually cause problems. True, the pressure of the pool on top of the grass combined with the lack of sunlight will most likely kill whatever was growing there, it doesn't always happen that way. I've had grass grow straight up through the lining before. Bermuda is the worst offender in this category. To help avoid this problem, use weed killer to get rid of any growth in the area you want to place your pool. Once dead, clear the area down to the dirt.

2. Now you can bring in the sand. Mason sand works best as it is not as course as other sands and won't damage your liner. Plus, it'll create a buffer between the liner and the hard dirt. Use the rake to move the dirt around, then use the 2x4 and the level to make sure that your ground is just that - level. There is no deep and shallow end in an above ground pool. Set aside some of the sand to use in the next step.

3. 

   Follow the instructions in your pool manual to set up the perimeter and the walls. Before you put down the liner, you need to create what's called a cove. It's an embankment that you build at the base of the walls of the pool to allow the liner to flow up instead of creating a corner. This will keep your pool from ballooning out at the bottom. There are companies that sell a foam cove or you can build your own out of the sand that you have set aside. The cove should stack a few inches up the wall and should be uniform around the base. Once your cove is made, you can put on the liner.

4. Start to fill your pool with water once the liner is in. After you have just about an inch of water in the bottom, stop filling. You're going to have to get your feet wet for this one. Get into the pool and use your feet to move the liner from the center toward the edge. Then, after getting out of the pool, pull up on the liner to remove the wrinkles. You may need to get in and out of the pool a couple of times to accomplish this. Putting the ladder together that was included with your pool will help. Don't be discouraged if you can't get all the wrinkles out. Of the many times I've put up above ground pools, I've only been able to accomplish this feat once or twice.

5. Continue with the instructions included with your pool to completion. Make sure your pump is working properly and your water has the proper amount of chlorine. I would let the pool sit for a couple of days to make sure that everything is working properly before letting loose the family and friends. Having a properly set up pool will give you fun for not just this summer, but many to come!

Tips & Warnings

• Spend extra time on making the pool level. You'll be amazed at the difference a little extra care will make.

• Keep a border of at least two inches of bare ground between your pool and the grass. You don't want anything growing underneath your pool or you may end up with a hole in your liner.