ABOVE GROUND POOL INSTALLATION

This series of pictures will show what is involved in a typical installation of an above ground swimming pool.   This demo is for reference only.  Please refer to your installation manual for installation instructions.

The process starts with the determination of the location of the pool.  Choose a large area, as flat and level as possible.  It should also be on dry, undisturbed earth - do not install the pool on concrete, asphalt, tar paper, sand, gravel, peat moss, wood or chemically treated soil.  Sloped areas will need to be made level by digging away high spots, not by filling low spots.

 

Things to avoid - Do not locate your pool near or on:

Overhanging tree branches, wires, clotheslines, buried pipes and wires (contact your gas, electric and telephone utilities to find buried pipes and wires before you dig), hilly and uneven terrain, areas with poor drainage, grass, stones and roots. (grass will rot under the pool liner, and stones and roots will damage the pool liner) and areas recently treated with oil-based weed killers, chemicals or fertilizers.

1. Preparing your pool base:

Now that you have determined where you want your pool, you must prepare the ground base of the pool.  For this you will need to review your manual to determine the proper measurements to follow for the layout of the pool that you have purchased.  Once you have plotted out the area required, you will need to remove all sod and plants from the area.  Also remove any sticks, stones and roots from the area.  You will use a 2-by-4 to help level the pool foundation.  Again, remove all the high spots and do not fill in low areas.

2. Laying the bottom rails.

Lay out the base plates and bottom rails on the round ends.  Place a base plate on each of the patio stones on the round ends of your pool.  Slide the curved bottom rails together with the base plates. 

3. Assembling the Pool Wall & Liner

Set the pool wall in place.  Unpack the coiled pool wall and stand it on a piece of cardboard or plywood at the center of the pool.  Start uncoiling the wall, guiding the bottom edge into the curved bottom rail

Join the ends of the pool wall.  Line up the holes in the two ends of the pool wall.  Join the ends of the pool wall with a bolt and nut through each hole.  Place each bolt head towards the INSIDE of the pool and each nut towards the OUTSIDE.  Tighten each bolt and nut securely.  Cover the seam and bolt heads on the inside of the pool wall completely with 2" duct tape.  Make sure the pool is level and is the correct size.

4. Preparing the pool bottom

Make a curved cove about 6" high and 8" wide all around the bottom of the pool wall on the inside.  Use brick sand or pool cove and pack it firmly into shape.

5. Installing the liner

Unpack and unfold the liner and spread it out in the sun to warm it up.  Inspect all the seams and surfaces for holes.  Spread the liner, smooth side down.  The curved seam should be even with the top of the cove.  Smooth out all the wrinkles in the bottom.  Fasten the liner in place.  Lift the sides of the liner and drape them over the top of the pool wall.  Fasten the liner to the top of the wall with plastic coping making sure you have the same overhang all around.

 

Work out the wrinkles in your wall as the vacuum is sucking the air out from between the walls and the liner.

 

Start filling up the pool with water continuing to work out the wrinkles.  Remove the coping around the top edge of the wall one piece at a time and adjust the liner.  After all the wrinkles in the liner are removed, trim any extra length of plastic coping so there is no overlap.  Roll up any excess liner hanging below the plastic coping and tape it in place near the top of the pool wall.

6. Installing the top rails and verticals

Install the vertical columns.  Line up the bottom of one vertical column with the two small tabs on one base plate.  Slip the foot cover onto the vertical column and slide down to the bottom so it hooks onto each side of the column.

 

Hook a top plate over the top edge of the pool.  Place a rail with one end on top of the plate.  Line up the holes and insert screws.  Repeat the last steps for the number of columns you have.  Fasten the top caps.

Continue filling up your pool with water and enjoy.

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