Buying and installing an above ground swimming pool should not be undertaken lightly. Here are some tips to keep in mind before shopping.
1. Will your property support an above ground pool? Even if you have the surface area for a thirty-foot pool, for example, is the ground solid enough to support the weight of all those gallons of water contained in the pool? When you empty the chlorinated water at the end of each season or more frequently, can your property absorb that amount of fluid or will it back up and run off into the basement of your house or that of a neighbor? The chemicals in the pool water may pose a toxic hazard that can leach into the well water or kill the grass around your pool. It may even run on to an adjoining property, so be prepared to deal with this issue before installing the pool.
2. Can you provide adequate protection for animals and small children? Check the fence and zoning laws in your area to find out whether you are required by law to install a latched fence and gate around your pool. If there is a community policy, you will need to know if there are restrictions on the type and size of the fence to be installed as well as any penalties for leaving it unlatched when the kids are swimming or people are coming and going. You don't want the next door toddler or pet to climb into the pool while no one is looking.
3. Ask a store associate about required proper conditioning and maintenance of the pool. For example, you may need an aerator that operates by motor to keep the water from becoming stagnant. You also will have to add chlorine and other chemicals to maintain pH balance. The water may have to be emptied periodically to keep from growing fungi or bacteria. There may be times you will have to filter the water for debris like leaves or branches after a storm. Be prepared to put in the time and money that pool care may cost.
4. Compare prices when you go shopping. The end of the season in late summer or early winter is the best time to buy as stores clear leftover stock from inventory. You can sometimes buy a pool at a reduction of fifty percent or more this way. It's a good idea to visit Websites of pool retailers to find out if and when a large sale may be pending. Ask about extras that may come with your pool purchase, such as water wings, rescue equipment, and other standard features that must be purchased otherwise.
5. Read all instructions carefully, preferably before buying. That way you will know what to expect and whether or not you can follow through on what is required to install and maintain your pool each year. For example, if your land is uneven, you may have to hire a contractor to level the area where the pool will sit. Then you also will have to assemble and disassemble the pool at the end of each season and keep it in a storage area during the winter.
You may be tempted to buy a pool on impulse when those summer days hit. But take time to plan ahead and shop for the best deal before plunking your money down.
