Owning your own pool is beyond the wildest dreams of most people. Many rumours exist about the cost of installing and running a swimming pool. In practice most people don’t really have much idea about what’s involved in setting up and running a swimming pool until they actually own one. In recent years, the introduction of a large range of PVC based above ground pools has brought the ownership of a swimming pool within reach of many more consumers.
These pools, generally referred to as above ground pools, are now offered in a range of sizes from several major global brands. Two of the most well known are Bestway and Intex. They have a selection of pools which range from the shallow 8ft diameter pool right up to deep pools over 20ft long. Shapes are slightly limited but are on the increase. Currently round, oval, square and rectangular pools are the norm. Most of these shapes can be found in both of the two most popular styles of above ground pool. These are the metal framed pools where the pool is situated in a metal frame. These pools can often be left up all year round and are the more robust type of pool. The other style has an inflatable ring around the top of the pool. This is inflated prior to filling. It acts as a float on the water and ensures that the top pf the pool stays above the water line. Both of the brands mentioned above also offer a hybrid of the two types of pool. Usually this hybrid can be found in the oval shaped pools. The larger pools are effectively as big as the in ground equivalents that many people would install if they could afford them.
Compared with installing a pool as a permanent feature buying and installing a flexible substrate pool can yield significant savings. Looked after, these pools will last for many years, although probably not as long as a permanent pool. Installation of these pools is usually a DIY job and requires little more than a level piece of land and the time to do it. Usually the assembly of the pool is quick and easy and within the space of a day you can go from empty garden to fully installed pool – although depending on your pool size and water supply it may take more than a day to fill the pool.
Once full the pool is usually ready to be used immediately. A mistake which is often made by many people is to use the pool in the same way as they have used children’s paddling pools. These pools are designed to be swimming pools. As such they are not designed to be emptied and refilled on a regular basis. Many are supplied with pumps and filtration equipment. This is designed to be used with conventional pool chemicals to keep the water clean thus eliminating the need to continuously empty and refill the pool just as one wouldn’t empty and refill an inground pool on a regular basis.
Treatment with chemicals normally follows the same sorts of routine that a permanently installed swimming pool would require. This can be time consuming and expensive but is essential to keep the water fit for bathing in. Without treatment pool water will become unsuitable for bathing in within a couple of days, often with algae appearing within 5-10 days. However, as with many products, as owning a swimming pool becomes more popular then technology on pool treatments moves on. For example several companies now offer method of treating swimming pools using salt as a sanitiser. Although the salt is cheap the units required to do this are not and the electric bill to run them can sometimes be significant. Others such as Chemipool in the UK are working with the chemical industry to formulate multifunctional liquids which are just added in the required dose once a week. This makes treating one of these pools both cheap, quick and easy.
Another area of development is in heating these pools. Again, as with their permanent counterparts, flexible above ground pools can often be heated with similar equipment to the traditional pools. Exactly what is required to heat the pool depends on the pool volume. If you require a heated pool it is worth spending the time and money to buy a heater which is sized for your pool. To small a heater will have almost no effect on heating you pool. Spending money on to small a heater is wasting your money. Some companies have developed solar panels to heat the water. The effect of these can be quite good for heating the water but they can be expensive to install. Some owners have made their own solar panels by placing a longer pipe on the return to the pool from the pump and weaving this backwards and forwards behind a plate of glass. Some very effective results have been informally reported.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Swimming pool
By: douglas lucas | 07-09-2008
how overflow valve works swimming pool.
I hada new skimmer put in the side of the pool and and had a leak fixed in one of the pipes that takes water to the pump. The water level is very steady now and is about half way up the skimmer. The problem is when the pump is on I hear every 40 seconds this loud bumbling noise from the overflow valve on the other side of the lanai cage where the overflow valve sticks out of the ground. How can i get rid of this irratating noise? Thank you, Douglas
Trout in a swimming pool
By: Mark | 31-07-2008
Is it possible to modify swimming pool water to house trout for a weekend in the fall and then remove them and close the pool for the winter? I heard of a place in Southern Australia that puts trout in their pool for fishing weekend before they close it for the winter. This is for a large commercial swimming pool.
A piece of rebar somehow went through the screen ...
By: lfischerpe | 04-07-2008
A piece of rebar somehow went through the screen roof into my pool and wasn't noticed for several days. When I finally picked it out, two approximately 1" diameter rust spots were there. I have not been able to brush them out; what do I do? Thanks.
Is it possible for mulch to contaminate a ...
By: jenks51 | 26-06-2008
Is it possible for mulch to contaminate a swimming pool? We have been having a problem with bad lab tests this year at our hotel pool. We had some landsape work that included some mulch located very close to the cove of the pool. We seem to fail for bacteria if a sample is taken soon after it rains.
How to care for above ground pool
By: L G Garrett | 21-06-2008
What is the best and most economical way to take care of my 24 foot above ground pool in Oklahoma. It seems to always be cloudy, not clear. Are some products a waste or a must. I have been using a super shock, 3in chlorine tablets and clarifyer.Most items are the brand hth purchased from Walmart.
How do I get DE out of the bottom of my pool?
By: Deb | 17-06-2008
My DE filter broke and all the DE leaked into the bottom of my pool. I've been hand vaccuming every day for a week and it isn't working. The DE just stirs up and then settles to the bottom of the pool again. I've tried using my automatic pool vac but that isn't working either. I have a vinyl liner so I can't drain my pool. Any suggestions on how to get the DE out of the pool?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Home Improvement Articles
Coming Up With Small Bathroom Designs
By: Samuel Zipursky | 06/10/2008
Stuck for ideas on how to design your bathroom? Read this article for some hot tips.
Finding a Local Cleaner to Keep Your Home Clean
By: Honor McKay | 06/10/2008
Are you thinking of having your house cleaned by a person or persons who do that for a living? If so, then you're possibly one of those persons who is too busy to attend to trivial things such as household chores and would be better off doing stuff that's more...
Designer Indulgence
By: Rakesh Gaikwad | 06/10/2008
Designer duvet covers are becoming an increasingly popular choice, helping people to design their bedrooms with styles endorsed by their favourite celebrity. Kylie Minogue has chosen completely different looks for her Kylie At Home range.
For a classical and traditional white damask and faux silk embroidered duvet cover 'Chandelier' captures the...
A Choice of Finishes
By: Rakesh Gaikwad | 06/10/2008
Bespoke curtain poles made from iron are the perfect solution to hanging heavyweight curtains, however, as with most bespoke items these can be very expensive, an affordable alternative is to have a curtain pole which is made from lighter weight metals which still provide a chunky and robust pole. Matching...
Bar Stool Options in the Kitchen Area
By: Leo Collins | 06/10/2008
Using a barstool set in the kitchen is a great way to save space and incorporate the use of available countertop space and breakfast bar usage.
The Heart of the Home
The kitchen is generally considered the heart of the home. The meals are prepared in the midst of talking and laughing...
Bar Stools UK Kitchen Classics
By: Leo Collins | 06/10/2008
As living spaces shrink by the day, more and more people are considering decorating options that lets them seat as many people as they want but with a minimal amount of space, and more often than not, that option is bar stools. UK families from London to Exeter are snapping...
Bar Stools the UK Has Unlimited Options
By: Leo Collins | 06/10/2008
While it is no secret that bar stools provide a great way to provide seating while saving space, the biggest selling point is the sheer amount of versatility they offer. It doesn't matter if you are decorating a jungle themed room, a dark wood den perfect for Sunday afternoon football...
Space Saving Kitchen Stools
By: Leo Collins | 06/10/2008
Making your kitchen a place where gathering together is welcome means providing comfortable seating and a place to gather for fun, fellowship, and meals. Kitchen gatherings are a sentiment worth working towards and may add a dimension to family life that nothing else can.
Kitchen Seating
One option for making kitchen seating...
Home Improvement 
