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How To Install Above Ground Pools

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A new pool is no fun until it’s holding water and proper installation is extremely important. In fact, nothing will get you heated up more than an incorrectly installed pool. Some of the problems that result from badly installed above ground pools may include uneven floors or a buckled/wrinkled liners. It’s much better – and less expensive - to do it right the first time. Many homeowners decide to tackle this project themselves. Here are some guidelines to help you install your new pool. 

Click Here to View Our Selection of Above Ground Pools 



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Steps

Things You'll Need

Above Ground Pool

Above Ground Pool Liner

Above Ground Pool Liner Accessories

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Step 1

Before you do anything, call upon your family, friends or neighbors to get some volunteers. Installing above ground pools is a job that takes more than one or two people. It will go faster and probably be a lot more fun if you get a crew together.

Step 2

Preparing the foundation for your new pool is the first step. Remove any sod that would be beneath the pool. Do not underestimate the persistence of grass. Nut grass, bamboo grass and Bermuda grass can grow right through an above ground pool liner. You will also need to remove sod all the way around the pool wall. Code in some areas of the country requires as much as six feet of sod removed from around above ground pools. This would mean a 6-foot wide “dirt road” around your pool.

Step 3

Once sod is removed, the ground will probably not be level. The higher ground within the sod-cleared area needs to be dug out to match the lowest ground. The ground must be measured using a level or a transit; you cannot determine level ground just by looking at it. It is not recommended to build up low ground due to the immense weight of water above ground pools hold. This weight will simply compress the earth back down. If the ground is not leveled, there is the potential for serious damage to the pool and injury to those in or near it. The wall could collapse or sink into the ground. If conditions require that you raise ground instead of leveling it, you should consult a pool professional familiar with installing above ground pools.

Step 4

Above ground pools can cause water to gather in your yard where it never had before. This is due to the pool blocking the normal flow of drainage. Often when water gathers around a pool, the owner assumes the pool liner has a leak and then tries to patch or replace the liner. This can be tedious and expensive so it pays to make sure you have adequate drainage before installing the pool. The advice of a professional is recommended, especially if your yard forms a natural valley.

Step 5

When the ground is level, you'll want to lay a foundation for the pool. Clean sand is the traditional base material for above ground pools. The sand acts as a barrier between the ground and the liner and helps to protect the liner from any rocks, roots or other hard objects. It also provides cushioning for the floor of the pool, making it more comfortable underfoot. For additional cushioning and liner protection for above ground pools, Gorilla floor padding is a tough, felt-like material that is extremely hard to penetrate. We recommend always using sand and adding the floor padding for extra protection. It is worth the investment to protect the pool liner as replacing a liner involves both the cost of the liner itself, installation, and refilling your pool. A uniform, 2-inch layer of sand is standard (check the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific pool). Beware of using high alkaline substances such as peat moss as a base because it can corrode metal parts.

Click Here to View Our Above Ground Pool Liners

Click Here for Pool Liner Accessories (Including Wall Foam, Cove, Liner Pads, & More)



Step 6

Next will be the foundation for the pool frame, typically either patio stones or blocks which are sunk until flush with the ground. These blocks are placed beneath the pool posts and buttresses in order to support them. Each block must be level in all directions (both from side to side and front to back). Then you will also need to make sure the blocks are level with one another. From one block to the next block, there can be no more than 1/16” out of level. As with leveling the ground, you will need to use a transit to be sure each block is level. Unlevel supports can cause the walls of above ground pools to buckle, even with a variation of only 1/8” between the blocks. Your pool will come with the manufacturer’s specific instructions for placement of stones or blocks.

Step 7

Now you're ready to assemble the pool. Installation instructions for above ground pools vary based on the manufacturer and model so follow the guidelines provided in your owner's manual. Above ground pools will typically include the following parts: bottom rails, bottom plates, uprights, pool wall, top rails, caps for uprights, coping, pool liner, and hardware. A skimmer and return fitting is often included. If your pool is delivered by truck, you have the right and responsibility to open and inspect each package before signing the bill of lading. Don't let the driver rush you to sign the paperwork. You're responsible for any concealed damage so take your time and be sure no damage occurred in transit. Compare what you have to the manufacturer’s parts list and be sure you've received all necessary parts in good condition. Nothing is more frustrating than having a half-assembled above ground pool only to discover you’re missing part AB19 and it will take the manufacturer 2 weeks to ship it.

Step 8

Once the pool frame and walls are up, you should create a cove. This is a 6 – 8 inch wedge of sand built all the way around the inside edge of the pool wall. Creating the cove is mandatory for above ground pools – do not skip this step! The cove will keep the liner from slipping under the pool wall and provide a protective layer between the liner and the metal frame of the pool. Bevel the sand to form a 45 degree wedge along the entire inner circumference of the pool wall. The sand should be uniform all the way around and tamped down. As an alternative, pre-manufactured pool cove is available in two forms, Peel & Stick which has adhesive backing, and Clip & Stick which snaps onto the track of the pool wall. When the cove is completed, tamp down the sand in the entire pool area to even out the ground and reduce divots in the floor of the pool. Any sand on the pool wall above the cove should be removed to prevent it from rubbing against the liner and possibly causing pinholes to form.

Step 9

Now comes the fun part of installing above ground pools - the liner. Since this is the most delicate part of the pool, we recommend inspecting it first. Open the box containing your liner very carefully - do not use a sharp object. Unfold the liner and spread it out, making sure the ground is clear of anything that could puncture it. Check for any holes or tears and examine the seams to make sure they are properly sealed. This is very important as you do not want to discover a defect after you’ve filled the pool.

Click Here to View Our Above Ground Pool Liners

Click Here for Pool Liner Accessories (Including Wall Foam, Cove, Liner Pads, & More) 

Step 10

After your liner passes inspection, spread it out in the sun. The sun's heat will warm up the vinyl, making it more pliable and easier to work with. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions regarding preparing the liner. Your owner’s manual should give you details about installing the liner, including punching out the skimmer and return holes. Remember, above ground pool liners are not meant to bear any of the weight of the water so they must rest on the ground in all areas. Properly installed, there should be no air space between the liner and the ground, and no downward pressure on the liner. How you hang the liner on the pool wall will depend on the style of liner (overlap, beaded, or j-hook) so refer to the instruction manual for your above ground pool.

Step 11

Since there is extra material to compensate for any shrinkage of the liner, wrinkles in the liner material is normal and unavoidable. To smooth out the floor of the liner, gently push it toward the wall. To avoid damage, do not pull, drag or stretch the liner. Air between the liner and the above ground pool wall can contribute to wrinkles. To decrease this, you can use a vacuum hose, inserting it through the skimmer hole in the pool wall behind the liner. Use masking tape and cardboard to seal any gaps around the skimmer hole and vacuum hose. Turn on the vacuum and gently adjust the liner while the vacuum is running. You can turn the vacuum off periodically if you reach any areas where the liner becomes difficult to adjust. The vacuum can continue to run as you fill the pool but be sure to keep the hose above water level at all times. You can fill above ground pools with a common garden hose, or hire a water truck which is much faster.

Step 12

Once your above ground pool is up and filled with water, you'll need to connect your pump and filter system, heater, lights and any other pool equipment you may have. Follow the installation instructions provided by the manufacturer for each piece of equipment. The same goes for adding chemicals to above ground pools - the packaging should have instructions based on the volume of your pool.

Click Here to View Above Ground Pool Pump & Filter Systems

Click Here to View Above Ground Pool Chlorinators

Click Here to View Above Ground Pool Heaters 

Step 13

Inyo Pools carries a full line of above ground pools. We also provide all of the equipment, chemicals, and accessories necessary for above ground pools. 

Click Here to View Our Selection of Above Ground Pools

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(41 to 66 of 66)

 Posted: 6/12/2012 

can anyone tell me where to get replacement bottom wall tracks ,,cant fine anywhere
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 6/11/2012 

Stacy - Most people use the foam coving. It's more stable. And it sounds like your liner may not be lined up correctly. You may have to remove most of the water and start over.
 Reply

 Posted: 6/9/2012 

I think I have made a mistake, We purchased a used 27' round. I have a couple of guestions. I've used sand to make the cove and I'm not sure it is 6" to 8 " high. I was told that bugs like the foam cove's and not to us it? Is this true? the other thing seeing as the liner was already curt to fit the skimmer and return line. and it seems as though the liner has shrunk. I did not screw the top plates down before I added the water and it has pulled in the top of the pool breaking two of the top rails. Do I need to screw down the top plates or continues to add water and hope the water will push the top back out where the skimmer is?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 6/5/2012 

Julie, You made some good points so I checked with the mfg and they set up the following sequence. 1- Install the bottom rails and plates on the ground and pavers. 2- Place 2-4" of sand inside the ring up to but not covering the bottom rail. 3- insert the wall into the bottom rail. 4- Level the sand to the wall over the bottom rail. 5- Put the coving over the sand or make the coving of sand. The coving does not have to attach to the bottom rail. . The bottom rail will keep the sand from moving out of place.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 6/1/2012 

Rocking uprights - After you have the liner in place over the top of the wall, you can start adding the stabilizers and top rails. This will firm up the uprights. Once the water is in, the uprights will not move.
 Reply

 Posted: 6/1/2012 

So the wall rails/tracks are to also lie on top of the 2-3" of sand base? I thought that base was only supposed to be INSIDE the wall rails/tracks. Our instructions stated that the wall rails/tracks should not sit on sand but instead sit on solid earth due to the sand possibly eroding away and causing the wall to then be uneven.
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 5/28/2012 

we have just installed our 21 round pool...digging and leveling the ground, upright beams on pavers, bottom track,sand and wall are all in place...we have not put the liner or water in yet...but my concern is the upright beams can be rocked back and forth...is it becasue the water and liner are not in yet...does anyone know..
 Reply

 Posted: 5/27/2012 

Within the instructions for installing our pool, it recommended the typical 2 inches of fine sand. However, we purchased 1" foam insulation and pieced together a base with that. Will that be sufficient or will we need to add another 1" of foam? Also, for the cove moldings, the pictures I've seen show that it's cut out to fit over the wall track. If we have a 2" base either sand or foam, how will the notches fit over the track? The track will be too far down. Thanks!
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 5/12/2012 

Brian, If you have a steel pool, The manufactures caution you against placing any dirt against the outside wall. It will corrode the wall and base rails/plates. The only exception to this restriction is if you have an all resin pool. These can be placed in the ground or backfilled.
 Reply

 Posted: 5/12/2012 

so my next question would be, why would they sell me the "upgraded" expandable liner? and i had already dug the ground down about a foot and a half so the pool would be inset a little and because i planned on having 2 depths i have seen that you can back fill against the pool and i have read not to back fill...which is it? thanks for any input.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 5/11/2012 

brian, Unfortunately, the bottom of your oval pool can only be one depth.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 5/11/2012 

Yes, you can use a packed down gravel base for you pool. Just make sure you end up with 3-4" of sand on top after it has filter through the gravel. And use a Gorilla Pad between the sand and the liner in case any of the rocks work their way up through the sand.
 Reply

 Posted: 5/10/2012 

we recently bought a oval pool 12x24 and got the upgrade for the expandable liner, i want to dig 1 end deeper than the other but when i watch the installation video the pool has metal braces that go across the whole bottom from side to side. is making this pool two different depths possible?
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 5/9/2012 

Can you use a gravel base under the sand before putting the pool up?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 5/6/2012 

Wanda - Most people use their pool ladder to get over the wall during installation.
 Reply

 Posted: 5/6/2012 

How do I get in and out of the pool during the installation process. Nothing I have found on the internet so far shows that part.
 Reply

 Posted: 12/19/2011 

Thanks for the information on How to Install the Above Ground Pool
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 7/31/2011 

Many people just use 2-3" of sand for their pool base. We also recommend using a padding like Gorilla floor padding for extra protection. In any case be sure to prepare the soil with weed killer before putting down your base. Some weeds are very persistent and can penetrate your pool's liner if not eliminated.
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 7/31/2011 

We replaced our above ground pool in June. The company that did the job used vermiculite instead of sand, which they had used 18 years previously. We noticed grass coming up in the liner and they say it is nutgrass. Is this the responsibility of the pool company? Did they not take care of the site before they installed the pool? They are saying it's an act of god. When the season is over, they say we have to drain the water, and they will pick up the liner and a chemical will have to be put down. I say they didn't prepare our pool installation correctly.
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 7/29/2011 

can u use sand for base of pool
 Reply

 Posted: 7/4/2011 

all well and good for peparing ground. we puchased a poolwith no instuctions on how to put the walls together the base nothing. we have no idea as to even where to start. we bought a 16x26 oval.
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 7/11/2010 

Call an excavating company. They will back fill the pool for you. Cost 250.00 I would say.
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 5/23/2010 

What you need to do is dig around the pool about 8 inches deep. You dig the ground with a pitch and fill with stone or better yet you could lay drain tile to follow the pitch keeping it up a few inches from the bottom to prevent dirt from getting in the drain tile. If the stone ever became saturated the drain tile would provide a nice path for the water to drain.
 Reply

 Posted: 1/17/2010 

The wall foam is relatively easy to install. You place the wall foam on the inside interior of the pool wall and secure to the wall with a foam spray adhesive. You may view the wall foam and spray adhesive here http://www.inyopools.com/search_wall_foam.aspx
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 9/16/2009 

I need to know how to install the wall foam to the pool.
 Reply

 Posted: 6/29/2009 

To whom it may concern,
I had one side of my pool below ground level. My solution was to escavate that side following the contour of the pool about 10 ft. I then bought landscaping timbers to biuld a retaining wall. I used my miter saw to cut the timbers at an angle to follow the pools contour.
 Reply