Installing A Above Ground Pool
The next few years will be difficult for the aboveground pool industry. With many families staying home, many people have turned to their local pool store for this year’s staycation. Unfortunately, this has caused both a shortage of products and installation availability. The company I work for sold out of the installation slots for the 2021 season in October 2020. I have put together this article for anyone who wants to be a do-it-yourselfer.
Installing a round aboveground swimming pool can be done quickly if you’re prepared beforehand. Below I have provided the steps and a helpful video to walk you through installing a round aboveground pool and prepare you for the project.
Pool Install Video Instructions
Part One
Part Two
Pool Install Written Instructions
ORGANIZE
Having all the correct tools on hand will allow you to be more efficient in constructing the pool. We recommend separating the materials, including hardware and tools, so they are easily accessible.
Tools You Will Need
- Shovel
- Rake
- Tape Measure
- Phillips Head Screwdriver or Screw Gun
- Duct Tape
- Carpenter’s Level and/or Transit (optional)
- Landscape Stakes and C-Clamps (optional)
- Patio Blocks 2″x8″x16″ (1 per each bottom plate)
- Box Cutter
- Wrenches commonly needed are 5/16 and ¼
You will need very fine Sand for the base of the pool cove. In addition, a patio block will be needed for each post. The amount for each common round pool is as follows
| Pool Size | Sand Required | Blocks for Posts |
| 15' | 2 yards | 10 |
| 18' | 2.5 yards | 12 |
| 21' | 3 yards | 14 |
| 24' | 3.5 yards | 16 |
| 27' | 4 yards | 18 |
| 30' | 4.5 yards | 20 |
After organizing your tools and materials, find a large and level area in your yard big enough to accommodate your above-ground pool. Remember to check for utility lines and underground obstructions. Also, make sure your installation is in compliance with all state and local codes before building.
ANALYZE
Quick Tip: You can rent a transit from your local equipment store for precise level measurement or use a board with a level.
MEASURE
To find the center point of your pool, it is easiest to measure off an existing object (ex., fence, wall) and mark where you want the wall. Then, measure 1/2 the width of the pool and stake the tape measure at this point.
We recommend pulling the tape measure to the radius measurement PLUS 1 extra foot. This is where your pool will go, plus it gives you a little extra room to work. Place a marker on the center and walk the tape around, tracing the perimeter.
CLEAR THE AREA
It’s important to build your pool in an area free from sod, roots, rocks, and additional debris, for a guaranteed smooth pool floor.
Quick Tip: Sod cutters are extremely helpful in expediting the process and are highly recommended if removing large areas of grass for this installation. You can rent one from your local large hardware store.
Here in the Rochester NY Area Rentals Services
LEVEL OUT
Since clearing the sod and debris may have affected the land level, it’s necessary to even out the ground you’ll be working on. Use a leveler to find the highest points in the installation area and dig to level it out. Always dig down the high areas; don’t build up the low areas. This will help avoid major problems in the future.
Uneven surfaces can cause your above-ground pool to settle and damage the bottom of the pool. Once the area is within 1″ of being perfectly level, you can start building.
CONNECT EACH BOTTOM RAIL
The next step is to connect each rail to its bottom plate. Metal, resin, and resin bottom cuffs connect to the bottom rails similarly. Once you’ve connected the rails to the bottom plates, measure the diameter in several areas to ensure the base is round. Once satisfied, you can stake the ring into position.
Quick Tip: For easier installation, lay your bottom rails and bottom plates down along the perimeter of the installation area before connecting them.
BLOCK BOTTOM PLATES
For added support, place a patio block underneath each bottom plate. It’s essential to dig out the area and place each block in the recessed hole to ensure stability, so the track is still laying level with the ground.
Quick Tip: Make sure the block is level in all areas and then check the level of all bottom plates to make sure they are still within 1/2″ of each other.
ADD THE POOL BASE
The next step is to remove one bottom rail from the box. We recommend marking the placement of the two bottom plates to ensure the exact position after dumping the sand.
Spread the sand equally throughout the pool area and then replace the bottom rail segment.
Quick Tip: Use chalk or a marking tool to trace the bottom plate onto the block to ensure you place it in the same area when replacing the bottom rail.
INSTALLING THE WALL
Installing the wall can be tricky and challenging to maneuver. Place the wall along the bottom track. If it’s uneven or the skimmer cutout falls directly over a bottom plate, this video will show you how to adjust the wall and bottom rails to fit perfectly. We recommend using landscaping stakes to support the wall as you connect around the bottom track perimeter.
A quick tip: Make sure the skimmer cutout is on the top portion of the wall before connecting to the bottom track.
WALL BARS
- Wall bolts attached using hand tools
- Fill every hole with a bolt
- Wall bars must not touch each other
- Cover bolt heads inside the pool with three layers of duct tape
CREATE COVE
Build a 6″ to 8″ high pool cove for support.
Quick Tip: Create a 45-degree slope using sand or pool cove liner protection.
MOUNT THE UPRIGHTS
Next, the uprights are installed into each bottom plate of the above-ground pool. Uprights strengthen your pool wall and provide support to your pool. An extra hole near the top usually determines the tops of each upright.
For resin uprights: Slide the upright into the bottom resin cuff to snap it in.
No additional hardware is needed.
Quick Tip: When installing a resin upright, ensure all tabs are through at the bottom to ensure it’s fully snapped.
TAMP THE SAND OR POOL BASE
Now, you can smooth out the bottom by tamping the base for an even and solid bottom base. Make sure to tamp the entire bottom of the pool and then sweep away any remaining lines.
Quick Tip: Wetting the sand with water will make tamping easier and pack the sand better.
INSTALL THE LINER
The liner is essential to your above-ground pool and should be installed carefully. This video shows how installers lay out and apply it to the pool. Remember to remove your shoes before walking on the liner during installation.
Quick Tip: Lay the liner out in the sun to make it easier to manage, then re-roll it for more accessible transport and installation.
OVERLAP LINER
- It hangs over the pool wall
- Need coping strips to secure
BEADED LINER
- A separate bead track is installed on top of the pool wall
- A beaded vinyl liner is snapped into the track
UNIBEAD LINER
- Hooks to the top of the tall
- Unibead liners offer additional pattern options
- Eliminates excess material
ATTACH STABILIZER RAILS AND TOP PLATES
Once the liner has been installed, begin working out all wrinkles from the sides of the pool.
Attach the stabilizer rails and top plates to the top of the pool wall. The stabilizer rails slide into each other around the pool, reinforcing its circular shape. The top plates are secured onto each upright with screws. You can now remove each landscaping stake if used.
Quick Tip: Use a leveler to ensure the uprights are perpendicular to the ground. This will ensure the maximum stability of your pool.
ATTACH THE TOP RAIL
Once the stabilizer rails and top plates have been installed, this illustrates how to place the top rails. This also shows that the method is the same if you have a resin top rail.
Quick Tip: Place all the top rails before screwing them down completely.
SLOWLY FILL WITH WATER
Add water slowly. This will allow you to smooth out wrinkles in your pool liner. It’s recommended to fill the pool halfway, then refer to the separate instructions on installing the skimmer and returning fittings. Once installed, you can finish connecting the rest of the pool equipment, like the filter system and pump. After installing all the above-ground equipment, you can fill the rest with the pool.
Quick Tip: Smooth the liner when there is 1″ of water at the pool’s bottom. This will allow you to adjust the liner, giving it a smoother, tighter fit.
SAFETY FIRST
Safety is the number one priority when using any pool. Your above-ground pool will come complete with safety warning labels and must be placed on the pool in designated areas.