Above Ground Pools: Location

Many homeowners are planning to add an above ground swimming pool to their property. If you are one of those people, consider some of the precautions that you should watch out for as you make your plans for your pool installation.

Things to NOT do when planning to add an above ground pool:

One issue you have to address when planning to install an above ground pool is the location of the pool. When you are deciding where to put the pool, avoid putting it either above or below any power lines. Power lines that become ungrounded or happen to fall into the pool can be deadly to those inside or near the pool.

You should not install your above ground pool over any septic tanks or field lines. In the event you should need to get to these areas for repairs or draining, you will have to take down your entire pool and any decking that may be a part of the pool system. It is best to simply avoid this risk by not placing the pool near these areas.

When looking for a suitable spot for the pool make sure that you avoid any areas in the yard that are either soft or sandy. Soft areas may be indicative of many problems underground, including mole infestation, sink holes forming, underground structures (such as old septic tanks that may be collapsing) as well as other problems. Sandy areas will almost always begin to compact under the weight of the water. In most cases the sand will not compact evenly and you will end up with a pool that is higher on one side that on the other. Again, the best defense against these problems is to simply avoid these areas altogether.

On a similar note, avoid installing your above ground pool in areas that become saturated with water after a heavy rain. Most homeowners already know what part of the yard pools rain water. Avoid putting your pool there as, again, the weight of the pool on this soft, saturated ground will often cause unevenness.

Many homeowners are not aware of this next fact, but it is important, and should be remembered when considering pool location. You should never place an above ground pool over soil that has been exposed to any type of petroleum-based weed killer. These particular products can and will do severe damage to your pool liner. In some cases, they can actually cause the liner to decompose, thus leading to failure of the liner.

You should avoid placing your pool above surfaces that are made of asphalt, gravel, tar paper, and blacktop. In general, you want to avoid placing your pool over any type of petroleum-based materials. If you are not sure about a particular surface, ask the pool vendor for guidance.

Spending some time carefully deciding where to put your above ground pool will pay off in the long run. This one decision can add years of life to your pool and help you avoid costly repairs.