Above Ground Swimming Pools Guide

Finding Discount Above Ground Swimming Pools

If you are looking for discount above ground swimming pools, it is probably safe to assume that you would like a quality swimming pool but you do not want to spend a lot of cash.  Rather than try to point you toward one particular retailer or outlet, I think it would be more useful to show you some of your options as you search for a discount above ground swimming pool.

You can find above ground swimming pools cheap if you are willing to do a little bit of research and not rush into anything too quickly.  It really does not take that long to check out the options that are available to you.  You can learn a lot from looking on the computer and picking up the telephone.  You should also hang on to any circulars or advertisements you get in the mail related to swimming pools and swimming pool accessories.

Of course you realize that the best above ground swimming pools are going to cost more than the less extravagant models that you will be considering in your search for discount above ground swimming pools.  This does not mean that the pools you will consider are junk, just that you may not be looking at the biggest and the best  swimming pools unless you’re willing to adjust your budget a bit.

One major consideration that will play a role in how much you’re swimming pool will cost, is the size of the pool itself.  Generally, small above ground swimming pools are going to cost less than larger models.  Similarly, if you are willing to consider inflatable above ground swimming pools that are on the small side, you can save even more money.  An example of this would be the Easy Set swimming pool.  These are made by Intex above ground swimming pools and generally come in the form of a swimming pool kit.  If this is something that would interest you you’re looking at swimming pool costs starting in the low hundreds of dollars instead of thousands.  This company also makes larger pools but obviously, as the size increases so does the cost of your swimming pool.

For most people, purchasing a new swimming pool is a major investment.  Realistically, a brand new above ground swimming pool of 18 feet or larger in diameter is probably going to cost you at least $1500 just for the pool itself.  That may sound like a lot, but to keep it in perspective, in ground swimming pool systems can easily run into the tens of thousands of dollars.  You should also realize that you’re swimming pool will be serving you for several seasons if you maintain it correctly.

There is also another option that I have mentioned in other articles, which you may want to consider.  You can sometimes find used above ground swimming pools for sale at very low prices by highly motivated sellers in your local classified ads.  Once somebody has lost interest in maintaining a swimming pool, they generally just want to get it off of their property.  This sometimes happens when kids or grand-kids grow up and move away and no one is left with an interest in the swimming pool.  If the homeowners do not enjoy swimming themselves, keeping the pool up becomes another chore that they would rather not be bothered with anymore.  Taking a couple of weeks to scan your local classified ads could save you thousands of dollars if you are willing to move the swimming pool from somebody else’s property to your own.  If you choose this option you should know something about installing above ground swimming pools yourself or know somebody who does and is willing to help you.  Or, you can do a search for people in your area who will install the swimming pool for you.  Just be sure that the people you choose know what they are doing and are insured before signing them up for the job.

While you are keeping an eye on the classified ads, continue contacting above ground swimming pool dealers in your area and watch for specials that might be advertised on television or in print.  Some of the best times to find discount above ground swimming pools are at the beginning of the swimming season, the end of the season and around the 4th of July.

One more thing, if you do find free above ground swimming pools or used above ground swimming pools being sold for a good price, keep in mind that you may still need to buy swimming pool accessories to go with your new purchase.  This could include things like a swimming pool filter, swimming pool equipment for keeping the pool clean, and pricing above ground swimming pool liners to install in a used pool.

In conclusion, you can find good deals on above ground swimming pools if you do just a little bit of homework.  Realize that different swimming pool designs and sizes will bring different costs along with their own advantages and disadvantages.   Between motivated buyers trying to sell used swimming pools and above ground swimming pool dealers eager to move inventory, you should be able to find a well priced swimming pool that suits your needs without too much effort.

Where to Install an Above Ground Swimming Pool

Above ground swimming pools are much easier to install than in ground pools, but they do have their own special requirements.  You must carefully consider where you are going to have your swimming pool located on your property.  Choosing the placement for your swimming pool installation is crucial.  At first, the thought of being able to just walk out the back door and jump into the pool might seem like great fun, but you must remember that this will eventually be quite a noisy place if there are kids swimming with their friends.  For many people, this might not even be a consideration, but for some (like neighbors for instance), the noise levels could be distracting.

Much more important than the noise factor, are the actual physical requirements of the area where you will be doing the installation.  Above ground swimming pools absolutely must be located on level ground that is not going to shift.  The weight of the water contained in a swimming pool is immense.  When that weight is not distributed evenly, the uneven stresses and strains on the weight bearing sides of the pool can make the swimming pool unsafe.  A collapsing pool is not only dangerous to property, but to the people around it as well.  You do not want it to happen.

Even a slight tilt to the ground will be magnified over the diameter of the pool.  Keeping things level is essential.  This can be accomplished with excavation, but it will increase your swimming pool costs a bit.  Some sources recommend using a basic level and a straight board for determining the levelness of the area.  I can say from experience that the relatively small investment in a leveling transit can be a very wise investment.  During one of my first pool installations, we tried using a level.  The bubble was just the tiniest bit out of dead center, and still within the center lines.  Over a 24 foot diameter pool, this magnified to approximately a four inch difference in water depth.  We noticed this when the pool was about one fourth of the way filled.  We had to drain the pool and reset the posts.  This wasted an entire day and about 3,000 gallons of water.  We borrowed a transit from a neighbor at that point and made sure that the pool was dead on level.  Take my word for it… it is easier to set the pool up just once.

When possible, it is better to allow plenty of space around above ground swimming pools.  People will be moving around them a lot and you may decide in the future that you want to add some type of swimming pool deck to the poolscape.  This is a much easier endeavour if you are not limited by the constraints of the spot you set your pool upon.  You should also do your best to avoid an area prone to debris.  A tree next to your pool will be a constant headache as leaves, bird droppings and twigs will greatly increase how often you have to clean the pool.  In general, even if you are working with a tight space, you should leave at least a few feet of level surface beyond the edge of the swimming pool.

Above ground swimming pools are becoming quite popular with home owners looking for an affordable source of family fun.  In the past, people were concerned with the durability of above ground swimming pools.  Innovative improvements have now increased the life expectancy of an above ground pool to the point that it is not unreasonable to think you might actually still be using it in fifteen or twenty years with proper care.  The swimming pools liner most likely will need to be replaced after six or seven years, but that is a relatively small cost.

Compared to the costs involved with installing an in ground swimming pool, above ground systems are quite a bargain.  In ground pools can run into the tens of thousands of dollars before you ever stick one toe in the water.  Above ground pools can be purchased and installed at a fraction of that cost.  Although an in ground pool can be seen as a home improvement and a selling point, the cost is very high and might never be recouped in the sale of the property.  Above ground pools on the other hand, can actually be taken down and moved to a new property if you are so inclined.

photo credit: Matthew Bland
Before you purchase anything, it is a wise investment of time to look both online and at retailers who specialize in selling above ground swimming pools to see what is available.  You will most likely be confronted by a wide range of prices, but you should not let yourself be put off.  The reason for the difference is often related to what is actually included in your purchase.  It is becoming common to sell above ground swimming pools as packages.  What this means is that you will receive all that you require for your basic set-up in one purchase.  Experienced pool buyers may occasionally be able to beat the package price by shopping around, but most new pool buyers should consider this option.  Buying your swimming pool as a kit ensures that you will not find yourself missing something essential in the middle of your swimming pool installation.

Pool size is also an important factor in determining the cost of the pool you are considering.  In general, a smaller, round, above ground swimming pool is going to be one of the best deals you will find.  You will quickly find that there are a variety of pool sizes and shapes available.  Take the time to measure the area where you are thinking about installing your swimming pool and write down the measurements.  Keep those measurements and possibly some photos or sketches of the area with you whenever you start looking for and pricing above ground swimming pools.