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How To Assemble an Above Ground Pool - Part 5 - Top Rails

WRITTEN BY: Inyo Pools

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This guide is Part 5 of a series on installing a basic steel above ground pool. It shows you how to assemble the top rails of an Above Ground Pool. We assume that you have completed Part 4 - installing an overlap pool liner. These instructions may vary according to your pool model so consult your owner's manual for any variations.

Click here to view the above ground pool parts.

Step by Step

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Step 1

Check you piece count. For this part of the Above Ground Pool installation you will need 10 or more top plates, stabilizers, top rails and connectors. The quantity will vary according to the size and make of your pool.

Step 2

Push a Stabilizers on over the Coping so that it is equally spaced between two Uprights. These Stabilizers are connected together so they will extend an inch or so past the center of each Upright.

Step 3

Take a second Stabilizer, push it all the way on to the end of the first Stabilizer and down onto the Coping. You may need a rubber mallet to tap the Stabilizer all the way down on the coping.

Step 4

Continue until you have installed all the Stabilizers around the pool. If you see that the connection joints are drifting off the centers of the Uprights, go back and push the previous connectors further together.

Click here to view the above ground pool parts.

Step 5

At the Top of each Upright, place a Top Plate and secure it with screws. Make sure that the Upright is straight up and down. It will not only look better but it will also provide a stronger wall.

Step 6

Place a Top Rail between a set of Top Plates and secure it with screws.

Step 7

Place and secure the rest of the Top Plates and Top rails at each Upright.

Click here to view the above ground pool parts.

Step 8

Cover the Top Rail joints over each Upright with a Connector. They just snap on.

Step 9

WARNING: DO NOT put ANY WEIGHT on the Top Rails until the pool is completely full. Even after the installation is complete do not put much weight on this surface. Most Above Ground Pools are not designed for a big kid to walk on the top rail. The wall will buckle.

Step 10

Click to go to Part 6 - Installing the Skimmer.

Click here to view skimmers.

Comments

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(1 to 16 of 16)

Inyopools Posted: 4/23/2018

Hello Shaniqua - The new top rails being wider than the old rails won't effect the structural stability. You may have issues with the top caps fitting the new top rails because the new rails are wider.
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Shaniqua Clark Posted: 4/20/2018

I picked up some used top rails from someone who lost their pool to tree damage. The rails seem to line up fine with the holes.. but are slightly wider than the old ones. does this matter?
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betty Posted: 10/5/2015

24x24.stabilizer, screws, top rail, cover the top rail, top plate and secure it with screws costs????
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InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 6/26/2014

Brenda - The pool will not stretch to accommodate the extra 6" of stabilizers. Sounds like the stabilizers were not pushed into each other far enough. They are a tight fit. Try going back and forcing the stabilizer ends further together.
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Brenda Posted: 6/25/2014

While installing the pool, the stabilizers were about 6" too long. How do you correct this? The bottom is right. When the water fills the pool will it stretch it some to make it fit? As you can tell I am a woman asking this question. Wanting it to correct itself, lol.
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InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 6/24/2014

AG pool top caps - Please send the following information requested below. Inyo will forward the information provided to our supplier to see if they can determine if the pool is one of their models. Send to UPLOAD@inyopools.com * Size of the pool & approximate age of the pool? * Image of the pool wall. * Image of the upright * Image of the top rail connection to the upright. * Name & age of the pool (if known)
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Anonymous Posted: 6/24/2014

Where can u get the top caps shown?
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Anonymous Posted: 6/22/2014

Luisa Pardo - Please send the following information requested below. Inyo will forward the information provided to our supplier to see if they can determine if the pool is one of their models. Send to UPLOAD@inyopools.com * Size of the pool & approximate age of the pool? * Image of the pool wall. * Image of the upright * Image of the top rail connection to the upright. * Name & age of the pool (if known).
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Luisa Pardo Posted: 6/20/2014

I am looking for connectors that snap on the top rail. Do you have these in stock?
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Tj Posted: 6/29/2013

I am looking for connectors that snap on the top rail. We have a Mirada above ground pool and the connectors are brittle and broken and need to be replaced. Do you have these in stock?
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InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/5/2013

Top Rail - Most rails are unique to the pool manufacture and are difficult to match especially for the older models. But give us a call and we will try to match your rails to what we have.
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Top Rail Posted: 5/5/2013

My comment is a question,I have a 24 ft oval pool,I need to replace a couple of the top rails that have rusted,can I purchase the top rail pieces to replace the bad ones,I do not find them in the pool parts list,Thanks. JLH
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InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 9/10/2012

bnba2000 - I think your answer is in the previous response posted on 5/20/20012.
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bnba2000 Posted: 9/10/2012

I have a 27 round where all of the uprights were vertical yet I ended up with about a 1.5 inch overlap of the last rail section. What is the easiest way to correct. I know the bottom rail is right on due to the wall seam meeting and mesured 27 feet across in 4 spots that were only off by 1/4 inch or so from each other.

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InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/20/2012

You may have to adjust the stabilizers. If the last top rail doesn't quite make it to the holes in the plate, you will have to push the stabilizers together more to make the diameter of the pool slightly smaller. You will have to remove some of the top rails to do this, then reassemble them.
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Anonymous Posted: 5/16/2012

What do you do if you get to the last top rail and it doesn't line up correctly?
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