Above ground pool maintenance and advice?

Question

Were thinking of getting an above ground pool for the summer.

Something like this maybe.. or the next size up. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=9209010

i was wondering whats all involved in maintenance? chemicals?and any tips or advice? what would we have to do before we set it up? if our yard is fairly level do we have to put sand down? or dig up the grass? can we leave it up all winter or do we have to take it down? (were in zone 6) if we take it down in the winter can it be stored in the shed?

Answer 1

getting a pool is like getting a boat. for the time you spend in it you are finally happy when you get rid of it. Its costly,,its time consuming,,and unless you have young kids to realy enjoy it for the summer,, it wont seem worth it after a short while.

Answer 2

I have the exact same thing, just the 15x48(?)  .You don't need to put sand down or dig up anything.  Just make sure you have the ground cover underneath it.    We laid the ground cover down and shuffled our  bare feet across it to make sure that there was nothing sharp under it.  As far as maintenance/chemicals,  the filter needs replacing every other week or so( you can take reuse them a few times if you rinse them out with the hose as soon as you're done putting the new one in, but don't wait until it dries or you can't get the gunk off.)  Maybe a pressure washer would work-was going to try it but ours broke); we have the floater with a 3"chlorine tablet in it, (needs replacing every ~2 weeks, just a couple of dollars each) .  We have really hard water, so I put in the metal control liquid.  Algaecide to prevent algae and mosquito breeding,   and clarifier to help uncloud it, as needed.  And the ph up/down as needed.  (but mostly the down.)  If you have freezing temps during the winter, it needs to be taken down, because the cold/ice will crack the pool sides and filter hoses; so if it gets cold/freezing in the shed, you can't keep it there.    Make sure you clean it out when you take it down, because you will be cussing yourself next summer if you don't.   It doesn't take too long to set up, the hardest part is getting in the pool when you start filling it to pull and smooth all the wrinkles out. YOu have to do that when there is less than an inch of water in the pool, because it gets impossible after that.    Have fun....

PS--If it doesn't come with a ground cover, an XL tarp would be good, (that's what it is anyways).  It's not extremely necessary, but I would recommend it just to protect your investment.