Everyone likes to live in a beautiful space. So, we definitely go for beautiful houses that are well and artistically designed. We therefore tend to forget about the yard and when we finally “get used” to the beautiful house we often feel there is something missing.
Well, water is one of those mysteriously calming features. I am talking about pools. They pose numerous benefits to a family including fun, exercise, and aesthetics among many more. The pools industry has so many options and as a home owner, you may get confused and end up picking a pool that does not suit your needs.
Specifically we will go into the details of the newer above ground pools and see what this option has to offer for your yard.
BENEFITS OF ABOVE GROUND POOLS.
COST
The above ground pool will cost much less compared to the in-ground pool. This is as a result of elimination of the digging costs that take up most of the money
SAFETY
We have all heard the stories or even been victims of the tragedies. The above ground pool eliminates the danger of pets or small children falling into the pool accidentally due to the walls surrounding them. This will also leave you with less worries of constructing a wall around your yard to prevent access to the pool without supervision by adults or other better swimmers.
MAINTENANCE
The above ground pools is much easier to maintain compared to the dug pools that suffer soiling from areas around the pool. It also makes it possible to apply ultra-violet disinfection technology so that the water is always clear and clean.
EASE OF INSTALLATION
The above ground pools are easier to install as you will not require most digging construction machinery. This also means that the time of installation is very short compared to that of dug-pools. Due to the ease of installation, you may even do the project yourself if you are equipped with some good workmanship skills.
LANDSCAPING FEATURES OF ABOVE GROUND POOLS.
When most people hear about an above ground pool, they think it is just a raised space holding water. Well see some of the items that will spice up your pool experience
WATERFALL
It is quite possible to create a waterfall feature by having two levels of the pool. Designers have great ideas including rocks that make you waterfall look more natural.
DIVING BOARD
Pool lovers will always want this feature on their pools. Of course it will be determined by the depth of the pool for safety reasons.
DECK
I would count this as an essential feature especially. This would allow the pool users to walk or even sit around the pool. It is very important to select the right material that can stand water without deteriorating. Hardwood with a thick coat of varnish will almost all the time do the trick while remaining elegant.
LIGHTING
This will greatly enhance the look of the pool especially at night. Underwater bulbs go a long way in spicing up the look of the pool. Good lighting will also allow you to swim during the night.
HEATERS
There is always a phobia of going into the water when the weather is too cold. There is a solution. You can make the water more bearable by installing underwater heaters to raise the temperature of the water. Your local pool supplier will advise you on the best heaters for your pool.
WINTER COVERS
Winter cannot be escaped and sometimes it is so severe that the water freezes and a lot of snow is deposited on the pool. Winter covers will allow you to protect your pool from the severe winter conditions until a warmer period.
INSTALLATION OF ABOVE GROUND POOLS
It is important to give you an overview of the above-ground pool installation process as it will give you an idea of how worth it the project is.
First, you need to decide on a suitable location. Preferably you want to be away from tall trees to reduce the amount of leaves that get into the pool.
Once your preferred location is determined, you need to level the ground. This is a very important part as it determines the structural strength of the pool. During this section, the contractor will move lumps of earth and compact it for a level ground. If the site is not very firm, the contractor may add sand on the level ground. If the ground is not level, the pool will have a tendency to shift.
Removal of sod is the next process. This can be easily done with a sod-remover. All grass has to be removed to ensure the stability of the pool. Also remove all pebbles and other debris at this point. If the pool size is large, there might be need for crushed stones of stone dust in order to support the immense pressures of the water above the base.
In locating your pool it is important to consider the drainage patterns of the area. You do not want a situation where the pool blocks the natural draining thus making the area around the pool to become swampy. It leads to a false impression that the pool is leaking when actually, it blocks water that is supposed to drain freely from the area. Thus depending on the location, there might be need for drainage ditches for rain water.
Standard above ground pools will have a ring at the bottom, the walls, top ring and finally a liner on the inside. Ensure the base plates lie on some blocks (such as patio blocks) that are in the ground to ensure that the bottom ring flushes with the level of the ground.
Next you need to install the walls and the holding mechanism depend on the manufacturer. On some you will find bolts while on others you will find rivets. The instructions will be very clear from the manufacturer. The next step is to install the top ring to ensure the walls are structurally stable to support the pressure of the water.
The liner is designed to be held by the top rail. It is important to prevent tear of the liner material by not stepping on it in shoes or placing sharp tools on it. Once the liner is secured, work to remove the wrinkles and within no time you will be ready to have water into your pool. Also remember to install the skimmer and filters of your pool at this point.
Depending on the manufacturer, some pools will come with a water pump that needs to be installed to ensure constant supply of water into the pool.
MAINTENANCE OF YOUR ABOVE GROUND POOL
Once you have set up the pool, it does not mean that your responsibilities are over. A lot goes into maintenance of the pool and it is important you learn some of the things you can do to keep your newly built or even old above ground pool in the best condition.
· The pump is an essential part of the pool that helps to keep the water circulating so that the debris is trapped by the filter. The best times to use the pump is when the pool is not in use as the water will circulate thoroughly resulting in a clearer pool.
· The filter is an essential part of the system in order to remover both visible and microscopic particles. Some filters have a pressure gauge that should alert the pool owner when it is above a certain value. Other filters have a cartridge that can be removed from the outer casing and replaced. Most times, it is washable with a garden hose and can be returned to offer some more service time.
· Due to the aquatic environment, it is almost inevitable that algae will build up on the walls and floor of the pool. It is therefore tantamount that you give your pool a regular scrub with a soft brush (prevents tearing the liner) at least once a week to prevent overgrowth of algae.
· Always check the pH of your pool to ensure it lies within the range of 7 to 7.5. This will increase the effectiveness of your pool chemicals. You can get a digital testing kit from your local store or pool materials supplier.
· You do not want your pool to harbor any bacteria. It is therefore necessary to use chlorine to sanitize your pool. The most effective places to apply the chlorine is in the skimmer, or an automatic feeder for thorough sanitizing.
· In case of buildup of algae in the pool, it is essential to shock the pool by use of very concentrated chlorine so as to combat the algae and restore the pool to be crystal clear.
Well, there you have it. Now you may make as to the viability of an above ground pool project. It is important to do a thorough research so as to have a smooth period in implementing and maintaining your pool.
