Top 5 Mistakes Installing An Above Ground Pool

Posted by Lysti Grassman

Mistake 1:      Building up the low areas with dirt taken from the higher areas. 

This is probably the top mistake we see people make.  If you are pushing the dirt around to level out the site for the pool, eventually the dirt will settle and your pool will no longer be level.  This might happen right away when you fill the pool, or shortly down the road, one thing is for sure, it will happen.  Pool Pros always digs out to the lowest spot so the entire pool is sitting on virgin soil.

Mistake 2:      Using too much mason sand. 

The ground should be dug level on virgin soil always.  The sand is simply a buffer from the pool liner to the ground.  The purpose of the sand is not to level your pool.  If you are using sand to level things out you will have nothing but problems.

Mistake 3:      Setting the track on sand. 

The sand should be inside the pool track, never under the track.  If the track of the pool is set on sand, it will wash out and the pool will settle or sink, reducing the longevity of your pool. 

Mistake 4:      Not compacting or troweling the sand. 

First the sand should be compacted with a plate compactor, and then hand troweled to a smooth finish.  If this is not done, the first time you get into the pool, your feet will sink into the sand creating divots in the sand which could lead to wrinkles in your liner, and ultimately shorten the lifespan of your liner.

Mistake 5:      Placing patio blocks under your uprights. 

This is another very common mistake, especially because most install manuals will actually recommend this.  We get countless calls every spring for torn liners and when we get to the site we see a patio block that has heaved out and cut through the liner.  Pool Pros never uses patio blocks.  Again we level the entire site down to virgin soil and place the up rights and track right down on the ground. Note:  This is only a mistake in our area and climate; this is do to our ground movement during winter.   In other parts of the country, I’m sure this is a fine practice, just not here in the Frozen Tundra:)

Pool Pros Inc.
Green Bay, WI
920-321-0016
www.PoolProsWI.com

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Your Home Is Insulated, Your Swimming Pool Should Be Too.

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http://poolproswi.com/single-post/swimming_pool_insulation/



Posted by Lysti Grassman



At Pool Pros we are always trying to come up with ways to save our customers energy and money and in our Wisconsin climate, insulating your swimming pool makes great sense. 

Thermo-Wall Roll

In fact, we encourage all of our customers to insulate their above ground swimming pools with both Thermo-Wall™ Reflective Insulation for Pool Walls and Insul-Floor™ Reflective Insulation for Pool Floors.  This insulation reduces heat loss by up to 80%!


The Termo-Wall itself is a 3/16” thick metalized foil/bubble/clear poly material, it is ultra resistant and light weight, with a 69 PSI puncture rate. The insulation comes in a roll like this and can be installed by Pool Pros or purchased from Pool Pros for the do-it-yourselfers.

The Thermo-Wall insulation reflects solar energy in the water, adds R-value, and is also an excellent vapor barrier.












Similarly, the Insul-Floor, is a bubble/foil/bubble material with a 140 PSI compression rate and 69 PSI puncture rate, and is ultra resistant and light weight.  The Insul-Floor also reflects solar energy in water, is an excellent vapor barrier, and breaks thermal bridge between the liner and ground.


Pool Pros Recommendation
If you are thinking about getting an above ground pool, you should definitely consider insulating it with both the
Thermo-Wal and the Insul-Floor. 

The Thermo-Wall is also a good idea for in groud vinyl pools too. 

If you have an existing pool, consider having it insulated the next time you have a liner replacement. 


Both the Thermo-Wall and the Insul-Floor are quick and easy to install and relatively inexpensive.


Pool Pros Inc.
Green Bay, WI
920-321-0016
www.PoolProsWI.com
www.facebook.com/PoolProsWI

Things to consider before buying a Swimming Pool Liner

Posted by Lysti Grassman

Mil vs. Gauge (GA)

Micrometer

When buying a swimming pool liner, it is very important to verify if the thickness measurement  of the vinyl you are being quoted for is in Mil or Gauge.

It is important to note that a Mil is a standardized measurement that can be measured with a micrometer, where a Gauge is not. One Mil is equal to an exact .001 of an inch. A 20 Mil liner is .020 of an inch thick, and a 25 Mil liner is a little thicker at .025 of an inch thick. One Gauge, on the other hand, can mean different things from one manufacturer to the next. Some will use Mil and Gauge interchangeably and this might not be correct.

Most reputable swimming pool retailers sell their swimming pool liners measured in Mil.

Above ground liners usually are between 20 and 25 Mil.

Many online retailers sell their liners measured in Gauge, they want you to assume that a 20 Gauge liner is the same as a 20 Mil liner, when in fact it is almost always a thinner liner. Unless they specifically say their 20 Gauge liner is 20 Mil thick, then you should assume it is not.

You will also want to verify if the liner is the same measurement on both the sides and bottom. Some liners are thicker on the bottom, and a little thinner on the sides. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, you just will want to verify what the retailer is offering, so you can be sure you are comparing apples to apples and know exactly what you are paying for.

Embossed vs. Non-Embossed
Embossed vinyl liners vary in thickness. The thickness of an embossed pool liner is measured from the thickest point of the liner or the high point of the embossing, rather than the thinner valley, which is the true thickness of the liner. Simply put, a 20 Mil embossed liner is not 20 Mil but in fact thinner.

Embossed Liner

Non-Embossed Liner

　

Pool Pros Recommendation
Buy a non-embossed liner from a reputable local dealer, measured in Mil.
Better yet, buy from Pool Pros!

Pool Pros Inc.
Green Bay, WI
920-321-0016
www.PoolProsWI.com
www.facebook.com/PoolProsWI