Summertime splashing with an above-ground pool
3.7.2023
Translation: Veronica Bielawski
«If the summer’s really hot, you’re gonna love your pool a lot!» Alright, rhyming might not be my forte. But above-ground swimming pools are. Thinking about getting one? Here are some tips for you.
It’s here! Our new above-ground pool, freshly loaded off the delivery truck. I’m thankful for the delivery driver and his trolley.
Together, the delivery man and I push and hoist the 85-kilo package into the garden, where I’ll be setting it up.
Source: Sofia Vogt
Our previous pool had served us well since 2016. But the wear and tear become more and more apparent over the last two years. We had to patch the pool liner in several places. Mind you, I would have given it one more season. The fact that we have a new pool this year is thanks to my wife’s persuasiveness.
Source: Patrick Vogt
Safety starts on the ground
Our pool spot hasn’t changed much since 2016. But importantly, where there was once just lawn, there’s now a stone surface. It ensures the pool is secure and, above all, straight. Which brings us to the be-all and end-all of above-ground swimming pools: whichever pool you go for, the surface you place it on must be level. If the water isn’t level, you risk the pool slipping or tipping over, the liner tearing and the rods breaking. This is something you really want to avoid, as depending on the size of the pool, several thousands of litres of water can quickly flood your garden.
Source: Patrick Vogt
In addition, make sure that the flat surface is larger than the pool. Be generous with the size. Why? Especially rectangular pools like ours have side braces that take up extra space. And regardless of shape, all pools will expand in length and width when filled with water.
Before setting up our pool, we cover the stone slabs with a protective fleece. No matter what surface you’re working with, I advise you to do the same. The fleece will protect the pool liner and even out any little bumps in the ground.
Assembly
We made sure to get a pool similar in shape and size to our old one, so that it would fit on the stone we put down especially for it. The new pool is a bit shorter and narrower than the old one, but a bit higher. Otherwise, the two models are very similar. Even the assembly is almost identical.
Source: Sofia Vogt
For the most part, we manage to assemble the pool as a team of two. We only need a third person briefly when mounting the side bracing. In total, it takes us about an hour and a half. If we had taken a closer look at the instructions, we would have been a bit faster. We make a mistake with the steel pipes for the pool frame that costs us fifteen minutes. We put the different length tubes together incorrectly on the first try and didn’t realise it until we’d threaded them through the loop holes at the top of the pool.
Source: Sofia Vogt
The several years of experience we have in pool assembly undoubtedly helps. If you’re a newbie to above-ground pools, you should plan in more time – I’d say two to two and a half hours. It’s better take your time, get help, and make sure you’ve done everything right. Next, it’s time to fill the pool with water.
Source: Patrick Vogt
So fresh, so clean
Our pool holds nearly 10,000 litres of water. That’s an enormous amount of the precious resource, and I don’t take it likely. I make every effort to ensure that we only have to fill the pool once per season. The pH value plays a crucial role in keeping the pool water as clean and fresh as possible. My colleague Martin Jungfer recently wrote about this.
The chemistry must be right
For the sake of my four-year-old daughter, I don’t use chlorine in the pool. Of course, I’m aware that she comes into contact with it in indoor and outdoor pools. That’s precisely why I figure I can spare her at home.
Even so, I can’t manage our pool completely without chemicals. I rely on a multifunctional treatment that has two effects: long-term disinfection and protection against algae. One such treatment lasts up to two months. It works by floating around in the pool and steadily releases the active ingredients into the water.
For us, this solution has proven itself so far. I’m not comfortable making a general recommendation, though. The range of pool chemistryis very wide, and the needs of pool owners vary greatly.
Pump away the dirt
To keep your pool water clean and clear, you’ll need a filtration system. It circulates the water and filters out the dirt. The most common filter types for above-ground pools are cartridge filters and sand filters.
Which one you go for also depends on the size of your pool. Both systems have advantages and disadvantages. I recommend Poolpanda for expert information. I’ve ended up on the page many a time on my quest for information, advice and tips – and every time, I leave it just a little smarter.
We’ve relied on a sand filter system for years and are very happy with it. It cleans the water efficiently at a moderate cost of upkeep. I immediately hook it up to our new pool.
As for the cartridge filter pump included with the pool – I consider it to be well-intentioned at best. Its pumping capacity may be enough on paper, at best. The wear on the filter cartridges would be enormous. So, this pump is now stowed away in the basement as a backup or temporary solution, should our sand filter system ever stop working.
Source: Patrick Vogt
Netted and covered
Galaxus’s slogan, «Pretty much everything», also applies to the pool cleaning range. Whether you really need a pool robot that you control from an app is up to you. I can well do without it. On the other hand, my absolute must is a cleaning set consisting of a leaf net, pool brush, vacuum cleaner and telescopic rod.
We also cover the pool when not in use. Among other things, this prevents dirt and insects to getting into the water and reduces evaporation.
Few cons to the new pool
Our new pool is proving its worth in everyday summer use. Sure, we’ve already discovered the odd kink or two. For instance, the pool liner isn’t glued so cleanly in the corners at the bottom. We’ll have to clean those regularly, as they’re a dirt magnet. In addition, the supplied pool ladder has rusty spots after just a few days, which makes me doubt its suitability for water. It also feels somewhat wobbly when getting in, despite having a secure stand. My wife did mention that assembling the ladder was almost more complicated than putting the entire pool together.
In the end, these are little things that don’t get in the way of us enjoying ourselves splashing around. It’s a piece of freedom that’s worth its weight in gold and shouldn’t be taken for granted. After all, not everyone’s lucky enough to have their own garden that’s also big enough.
Source: Sofia Vogt
Do you also have an above-ground pool at home? Which model did you go for? Drop your pool tips and experiences in the comments!
Header image: Sofia Vogt
I'm a full-blooded dad and husband, part-time nerd and chicken farmer, cat tamer and animal lover. I would like to know everything and yet I know nothing. I know even less, but I learn something new every day. What I am good at is dealing with words, spoken and written. And I get to prove that here.
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