Are you planning on buying an Intex or permanent above-ground pool? In this post, I will give you a checklist of the things you need to do first before installing an above-ground pool.
More and more people are adding pools in their backyards to beat the summer heat. In-ground pools are a lot more expensive, so many people are opting on buying an Intex or steel frame above-ground pool or if the budget allows a traditional steel wall above-ground pool.
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My kids love to swim. We have two local pools in the area but they get so crowded in the summer. In the past years, we used blow-up pools but they are getting older that they want a pool that’s deep enough for them to swim. Last year, I decided to buy an Intex Graphite Panel Pool. I purchased it from eBay (open-box) for a great price but it is no longer available. Amazon has the exact same pool here.
I bought it in August of last year and decided to wait until this year to install the pool. I did not realize that we need a permit to put up an above-ground pool. We waited until June to apply for a building permit. It took over two months to finally get our permit approved.
Below is the checklist of the things you need to do before installing an above-ground pool:
Check your local township’s rules and regulations regarding building permits.
Most people don’t know that they need to get a building permit to install an above-ground pool. Yes, you read that right! We did not know this until our contractor told us to check with our township. This is my number tip before you buy or install the pool. Make sure to check your local township for building codes and whether you need to apply for certain permits before you begin construction. Applying for a permit can take weeks up to months so make sure you apply as soon as possible.
We waited for 2 1/2 months before our permit was approved. I wish we knew that we needed a permit to build a pool because we would’ve applied as soon as we can. It takes a long time to acquire a permit and it also costs money. We spent about $90 on the permit fee.
Most people opt to not get a permit when installing an above-ground pool. The problem with not getting a building permit is you can get a fine when someone reports you to your township or HOA. Also, you’ll end up having to take the pool down which would be a bummer.
Call your local township and schedule an inspection.
After you get your permit, your pool site has to pass inspection. They want to make sure that pool is safe for everybody. An inspector will come and check the pool site. In my township, the pool wall has to be at least 48 high or we need to install a fence. Also, the ladder has to be removable or can be locked or unlocked for safety. Again, these rules will vary depending on where you live.
Find the perfect site.
Look for the flattest area in your yard. Even a little slope has to be leveled. This is super important to make your pool last longer. Building your pool on a slope will put pressure on the sides of the pool which will eventually break the pool.
Our yard is on the slope so we hired a contractor to make the area level. I did not realize how slope our yard was until they started digging the area. They had to dig about 2 feet to get the area leveled for the pool. Consider a site that doesn’t have a tree close by because you’ll have an issue with the leaves getting in the pool. This means you’ll do a lot more cleaning and will make the water temperature colder from the shade.
Prepare the site.
After the area is leveled, remove any rocks or debris from the dirt. Then, put an inch or two of sand on top to protect the liner from rocks that could tear the liner. Also, sand provides cushioning for the flooring to make it more comfortable for the feet. Water the area with a hose to moisten the sand. Then use a hand tamper or rolling tamper to compress the soil. Add pavers in to support the post. This will help support the post from sinking in the dirt.
Install electrical hook-ups.
I recommend hiring a professional electrician to do this part of the installation. Check your local township for the rules or regulations. For instance, our township requires 18 inches deep for the wire to be buried in the ground. We also need to put caution tape to put in the soil about a foot deep to warn the future owner that there is electrical wiring underground. Depending on where you live, they might have different rules for the electrical hook-ups for the pool.
Once everything is ready, it’s time to install your above-ground pool. Be sure to read the manual or in our case, watch Youtube videos for tutorials on how to properly install the pool.
I hope you find this post helpful if you want to buy an above-ground pool. If you decide to install an above-ground pool, make sure to apply for a pool permit at least two months ahead before summer. That way, you’ll have all summer long to enjoy your new pool.
Jennabel
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What did you do above the uneven ground around the pool! Did you backfill?
Hello! We hired a contractor to install a retaining wall and add pond stones around the pool for drainage.