Above ground pool installation pros

Depending on your lawn or backyard condition, our team might also install a retaining wall as part of the above-ground pool installation process. Retaining walls are essential for sloping backyards as they allow more perimeter space around the pool or add more room for the pool by cutting into a small hillside. 

Our team will also have to install retaining walls if your backyard is steep or if there is a drop-off or hill near the location of the pool. Retaining walls keep the water and dirt away from your pool, making it cleaner for more extended periods. 

The next step in the above-ground pool installation process is filling it up with water. Generally, there are five options for filling an above-ground pool: we can use city or municipal water, well water from their well, well water coming through a softener system, water from delivery, or water from the fire department. 

However, not all of these options are available to all clients; some will only have to choose between two options while others don’t have any other choice but to settle for one of these. If our clients have to choose between two or more options when filling up their above-ground pool, we will help them make a sound decision by enumerating the pros and cons of various water sources. 

Our process of setting up the pump and other equipment starts by:

1. First, we measure the area where the pump and filter will sit. Usually, we place the filter and pump a couple of feet away from the skimmer. 
2. Next, we will connect the skimmer by placing hose clamps on the ends of the hoses. One end of the hose will be camped to the bottom of the skimmer basket, and the other end will be clamped to the front of the pump. 
3. Our team will connect the return hose by placing a hose clamp on the ends of another section of the hose. We will hook one end to the return fitting located on the pool wall and the other to the filter. We will make sure that every hose is secured in place by clamping it. 
4. We will connect the filter discharge using another hose with hose clamps on each end.
5. Fill the filter with sand or place the cartridge in it. Once the pump is plugged in, it will start to filter water in the pool right away.

In general, we discuss with our clients the importance of:

• Regularly testing the chlorine levels: Contrary to popular belief, chlorine is essential in above-ground pools because it kills harmful bacteria, algae, and microorganisms. Since chlorine breaks down when regularly exposed to the sun and other chemicals, such as sweat and sunscreen, our clients have to manually and periodically check the chlorine levels of their above-ground pools. We often recommend our clients use chlorine test strips to assess if their above-ground pools have sufficient chlorine levels. Ideally, their pools should have about two to four parts per million (PPM) of chlorine.

• Regularly clean and replace the filters: All filters have the same job: they capture debris that pollutes pools. To ensure that pool filters work properly, we recommend our clients regularly clean and replace theirs. Pool filters should be thoroughly cleaned once a week and replaced based on the manufacturer’s recommendation. 
• Run the pump’s pool for at least eight hours a day: The pump is essential because it keeps the water circulating, preventing algae from growing. Moving water also directs debris into the filter to keep the pool water cleaner and clearer. The pool’s pump plays an essential role in the cleanliness of above-ground pools, which is why we always recommend our clients to use theirs for at least eight hours every day. 
• Use a good pool vacuum cleaner: Having a pump and filter isn’t enough to ensure the cleanliness of above-ground pools. This is the reason why we also advise our clients to invest in a good pool vacuum cleaner. Pool vacuum cleaners have a strong suction power that can easily capture acorns, leaves, dirt, and even twigs on the pool. 
• Maintenance during winter: We also provide very specific maintenance tips for clients who want to close their above-ground pool during the winter months. Preparing above-ground pools for winter is vital as cold weather can cause irreparable leaks in the liner. 

We help our clients “winterize” their above ground pools by teaching them the following:

• Remove equipment from their pools, namely ladders, filters, and pumps. 
• Trash old filter cartridges so they can get a new one after the winter months.
• Clean all their pool equipment using a powerful hose or submerging them into soapy water to remove dirt and other debris.
• Drain filter tanks and hoses to avoid sitting water and stains on the pool walls. 
• Use a winter chemical kit to keep the pool water clean even when it is not in use. 
• Cover the pool to prevent leaves, twigs, and other debris from falling and affecting the pool’s water and chemistry. 

We encourage our clients to ask questions about above-ground pool maintenance during this last step. We want them to enjoy their pools for the longest time possible — and they can only achieve this goal if they know how to care for their pools properly.