Площадка под каркасный или надувной бассейн на даче: делаем самостоятельно

Даже если недалеко от вашей дачи есть речка или озеро, каркасный или надувной бассейн на участке никогда не будет лишним. Нырнуть в прохладную воду после бани, освежиться после огородных работ, устроить весёлые водные игры с детьми или внуками — во всех ситуациях бассейн будет кстати. А чтобы он прослужил долго, не рвался, хорошо держал форму, необходимо правильно подготовить площадку-основание, выровнять её и создать покрытие из одного или нечскольких слоёв. Своими руками это сделать несложно.

Принципы подготовки площадки под бассейн на даче

На большинстве дачных участков используют два вида бассейнов: каркасные или надувные. У них есть определённые преимущества:

• демократичная цена;
• простота сборки и очистки;
• лёгкость замены воды;
• возможность поставить на небольшом участке.Чтобы каркасный бассейн прослужил долго, нужна правильная площадка под него

К недостаткам можно отнести необходимость собирать бассейн на зиму и возможность разрыва плёнки, из которой он сделан. Хотя плёнку изготавливают довольно прочную, она может повредиться из-за неровностей земли, на которой стоит резервуар, веток, камней и т. д. Поэтому прежде чем установить бассейн на даче, необходимо подготовить площадку для него: ровная поверхность убережёт материал от разрывов и обеспечит равномерное наполнение водой.

Ровная поверхность площадки убережёт материал, из которого сделан бассейн, от разрывов

Наклон площадки должен быть не больше 5 миллиметров на каждый погонный метр. На поверхности с наклоном вода будет давить на сторону, оказавшуюся ниже. В результате бассейн потеряет форму (касается надувных моделей) или может порваться стенка от сильного давления воды (касается каркасных моделей) и даже сломаться элемент каркаса.

Площадку для бассейна несложно сделать своими руками. Главное, чтобы она отвечала следующим требованиям:

• ровная, без уклонов и перепадов высот, ям и бугров;
• гладкая;
• без камней, мусора, веток;
• расположенная в отдалении (не менее 5 м) от жилых строений и желательно ниже уровнем, чтобы при сливе воды она не потекла к дому;
• на расстоянии не менее 3 м от фруктовых деревьев и кустарников, чтобы листья по минимуму попадали в воду.Бассейн на даче нужно устанавливать на ровном открытом месте

Из каких материалов можно сделать площадку

В зависимости от ваших возможностей площадка под бассейн делается из следующих материалов:

• подложки из полипропилена, геотекстиля, линолеума или плотной плёнки (типа армированной) — самый простой и дешёвый вариант;Геотекстиль — это влагопроницаемое и прочное техническое полотно, применяемое в строительстве
• досок и водонепроницаемого покрытия на них (подойдёт тот же линолеум или плёнка) — получается типа подиума, это более трудоёмкий и дорогой, но и более долговечный вариант;
• бетона или плитки — также достаточно дорогой и трудоёмкий вариант, но зато самый прочный и, что называется, на века.

Наша дача находится недалеко от леса, в низине. Рядом болото. Никакие бетонные столбики в земле не держатся, поскольку близко грунтовые воды. К тому же весной участок залит талой водой. Поэтому при выборе площадки под бассейн остановились на самом простом варианте: вырыли слой дёрна, насыпали песок, который привезли с берега речки, и постелили линолеум. Самым сложным и долгим моментом было выравнивание песка с помощью длинной доски и уровня.

Варианты правильных площадок под каркасный или надувной бассейн

Независимо от того, какую площадку вы запланировали, необходимо подготовить инструменты и тщательно вымерять место.

Площадка из плотной плёнки или линолеума на песке

Для изготовления такой площадки понадобятся:

• собственно плёнка;
• лопата;
• верёвка;
• длинная доска или стальной профиль;
• речной песок.При строительстве площадки под бассейн используют речной песок, который характеризуется высокой степенью очистки и отсутствием крупных обломков и глинистых примесей

Действуют таким образом:

1. Размечают площадь под будущую подложку. Для этого используют длинную верёвку и колышки. Если бассейн круглый, один колышек вбивают посередине, а вторым рисуют круг диаметром на 30–40 см больше, чем диаметр самого бассейна. Для овальных бассейнов потребуется провести 2 таких круга по краям и соединить их линиями.Для разметки ровного круга посередине площадки вбивают один колышек, а привязанным вторым (коротким) рисуют круг
2. По всей площади выкапывают дёрн (10–15 см), тщательно убирают корни многолетних сорняков, камни, ветки и другой мусор.
3. Насыпают слой песка (те же 10–15 см). Чтобы песок лучше уплотнился, его поливают из шланга с насадкой-распылителем.Слой песка под бассейн должен быть не менее 15 см
4. Разравнивают песок с помощью стального профиля или длинной доски, вращая её как стрелку от часов. Эту работу лучше делать вдвоём. Проверяют выровненность площадки, положив на доску/профиль строительный уровень.
5. На песок аккуратно укладывают армированную плёнку, линолеум или геотекстиль. Можно ставить бассейн.

Песок под бассейн большого диаметра можно выравнивать, используя строительные маяки или обычные колышки одинаковой высоты.

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Подиум из дерева

Это более сложная конструкция, для изготовления которой понадобятся:

• доски строганые обрезные шириной 140–145 мм и толщиной от 400 до 450 мм;Чтобы подиум выдержал тяжесть бассейна с водой, доски должны быть толщиной не менее 4 см
• краска для досок — поскольку предполагается большая влажность, лучше взять масло для террас или яхтный лак;
• бруски для основания подиума размерами 50×100 мм;
• шурупы и шуруповёрт;
• рубероид;
• машинка для шлифовки или шлифовальные насадки на дрель.

Работу проводят в несколько этапов:

1. По периметру бассейна делают столбики из бетона с небольшим заглублением (до 50 см).Столбики для бассейна не требуется заглублять слишком глубоко, достаточно 40–50 см
2. Отмеряют доски по диаметру бассейна, прибавив по 20 см с каждой стороны.
3. Обрабатывают доски и бруски составом от влаги (см. выше).
4. Раскладывают деревянные бруски на заранее подготовленное и очищенное от дёрна и мусора место, предварительно застеленное рубероидом, на расстоянии 30 см.
5. Прикрепляют доски к деревянным брускам шурупами с таким расчётом, чтобы между досками осталось расстояние в 1 см для проветривания.Чтобы обеспечить хорошее проветривание, доски для подиума укладывают с зазором 1 см
6. Зашлифовывают края досок.
7. Устанавливают подиум на ровную площадку.
8. Накрывают линолеумом или плотной плёнкой. Ставят бассейн.

Видео: как сделать площадку под бассейн из досок

И под плёнку, и на доски лучше положить слой утеплителя, чтобы бассейн быстрее прогревался. Особенно актуальна такая опция в центральных и северных регионах России. Хорошо подойдут плиты пенопласта толщиной 5 см или экструзионного пенополистирола (ЭППС), уложенные на рубероид.

Экструзионный пенополистирол не впитывает воду, не набухает и не гниёт

Стыки при этом проклеивают скотчем, а чтобы они не разошлись от воды, сверху кладут армированную плёнку или старый баннер (диаметром на 20–30 см больше, чем пенопласт), края которого засыпают толстым слоем грунта. Для защиты от грызунов пенопласт сверху и снизу закрывают специальной сеткой.

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Как залить бетонное основание своими руками

Любители всё делать основательно могут построить бетонную площадку под бассейн. Для её изготовления будут нужны:

• песок;
• доски для опалубки толщиной 10 мм;
• армирующая сетка;
• бетономешалка;Если размер бассейна небольшой и бетона надо немного, можно обойтись бетономешалкой, а для больших объёмов лучше заказать машину бетона, чтобы залить всю чашу за один раз
• цемент марки М 400, речной песок и керамзит для приготовления рабочего раствора;
• баннерная плёнка.

Порядок действий таков:

1. Снимают дёрн.
2. На дно кладут геотекстиль и насыпают песок.
3. Поливают песок из шланга с распылителем, чтобы он лучше утрамбовался.
4. Выкладывают армированную сетку.Армированная сетка придаёт бетонному раствору крепость
5. По краям из досок делают опалубку высотой 15 см. Размеры опалубки должны превышать размеры бассейна на 30–40 см.
6. Заливают цементный раствор из бетономешалки.
7. Поверхность разравнивают мастерком.
8. Закрывают готовую площадку баннерной плёнкой на двое суток до полного высыхания.

Видео: изготовление бетонной подушки под каркасный бассейн

Площадка под бассейн из тротуарной плитки

Более цивилизованно, чем просто бетон, будет смотреться площадка из тротуарной плитки. Подготовка основания стандартная:

1. Вырывается дёрн на глубину 15–20 см.
2. Раскладывается слой геотекстиля.
3. На него укладывается слой песка, проливается водой, утрамбовывается самодельным устройством из куска толстой фанеры, прикреплённой к круглому бруску, или вибротрамбовкой.Вибротрамбовка — это инструмент для уплотнения грунтов и грунтовых покрытий
4. На песок кладётся тротуарная плитка.Тротуарную плитку можно положить прямо на песок
5. На неё можно уложить слой теплоизоляции из листов ЭППС, чтобы бассейн быстрее прогревался.

Чтобы бассейн на даче приносил только радость и положительные эмоции, важно правильно установить его. И для каркасного, и для надувного бассейна необходимо соорудить основание-площадку. Можно использовать разные материалы, главное, чтобы эта площадка была ровной и немного больше по размеру, чем сама чаша для купания.

Филолог по образованию. Пишу статьи с 2015 года. Оцените статью: Поделитесь с друзьями! Смотрите также:90000 Finding a Leak in an Above Ground Pool 90001 90002 I have really good news and really bad news when it comes to having a leak in an above ground swimming pool. The really good news is that once you find the leak, it’s usually super easy to repair. The bad news is (yeah, you probably guessed it) finding the leak is difficult. Locating a leak in an above ground is so difficult that I do not offer it as part of my services. Even if it’s the off-season and I’m broke, I’ll turn down a job to detect a leak.There are many cases where the leak is never found in an above ground and the only solution is to replace the entire liner. So now that I’ve scared you and lowered your expectations, let me give you some instruction on how to find a leak. 90003 90004 Check the Pool’s Equipment First 90005 90002 To check the pool’s equipment first is the easiest. When looking for a leak in an above ground pool, the hardest place to find it is somewhere in the vinyl liner. To avoid any frustration, inspect the equipment first (even if you have a feeling that the leak is inside the pool).Follow this checklist first. The leak may be outside the pool. 90003 90008 90009 90010 Clean the equipment area 90011 90012 If the pump / filter area is cluttered or overgrown, clean it first. Pull out all the weeds and store the pool toys, outdoor items and rocks / mulch away from the equipment. If there is an ant pile that formed under the pump, kill the ants and clean area. 90013 90009 90010 Turn on the pump 90011 90012 Some leaks will leak more when the pump is on. Since it is easier to see a bigger leak, you’ll want the pump on.90013 90009 90010 Inspect the general area for signs of wetness 90011 90012 Water is wet. 90023 Duh! 90024 So it stands to reason that any signs of wetness are your best signs for a leak. 90013 90009 90010 Look closely at everything 90011 90012 When I say closely, I mean get down on your hands and knees and look at all the components, hoses, fittings, and lids for drips. 90010 90023 Sneaky leak alert: 90024 90012 90023 Pay close attention to the area directly underneath the pool’s pump.90024 Pumps have shaft seals that can leak straight down into the ground and sometimes there will be no visible ground moisture.Have a dry towel handy in case something is questionable. Wipe the area dry and inspect for any new signs of wetness to appear. 90013 90009 90010 Inspect the skimmer and return at the wall 90011 90012 The pool’s skimmer box and return are two common spots for leaks. Water travels downward due to gravity. 90023 Duh # 2! 90024 Because of this, look directly under the skimmer box and return as that is where the leaking water will travel.If you are not sure, again use the towel to dry the pool’s wall and reinspect for any signs of newly formed moisture.Don’t be in a hurry; take your time. Some leaks are deceiving and require patience to find. If you’ve checked out all these spots and have come up dry, it’s time for the real fun. 90013 90044 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90004 Tips for Finding a Leak Somewhere in the Vinyl Liner 90005 90002 This may not be an easy task. The best piece of advice I can give here is to be patient.A leak can be anywhere inside the pool and there is not one soul on the planet that can find some of these so do not be too hard on yourself if you do not find it quickly. Here’s what I do listed from first to last: 90003 90008 90009 90010 90010 Turn off the pool pump and let the water get completely still 90012 90012 You’ll need to be able to see the bottom of the pool as clearly as possible while you are standing outside of the pool. 90002 I think I found the leak …. 90003 90013 90044 90065 90009 90010 While you are standing outside the pool, inspect the pool’s bottom all the way around 90011 90012 Most above ground pools have sand or earth based bottoms and coving.When there is a leak in the vinyl, the water usually leaks out in the ground somewhere underneath the pool. In most cases (but certainly not all) the leaked water travels through the sand / earth bottom and causes the earth to wash away leaving small valleys or divots or holes in the pool’s bottom that was once flat. Some of these washed away areas under the pool are visible and will tell you where the leak is in the liner. If you see something like this, it’s time to get in the pool (SEE STEP 5).90013 90044 90072 90009 90010 Check the outside of the pool 90011 90012 Did not see anything while you were following the previous step? OK, then while you are still outside the pool, you better check the outside bottom of the pool. If it’s covered, dig around the wall at the bottom and expose the bottom track. This is the tracking that the pool wall fits into at the bottom. Clear away any mulch or rocks or dirt so you can easily see if there are any signs of excessive wetness next to the track.What makes this tricky is that your ground may hold moisture naturally so just because you find some wet ground does not mean it’s a sign that there is a leak in that area. Look for signs of 90023 excessive 90024 wetness close to the pool as a sign for a leak. 90013 90009 90010 Time to get in, but first clean the pool 90011 90012 Before you consider getting in the pool to find a leak, clean and vacuum it. You are looking for a small hole in the liner so dirt and leaves sitting on the bottom will make it tougher to find.Make sure the water quailty is good too. Swimming in a slimy, cloudy pool sucks. Have a good dive mask or goggles and some kind of applicator that is filled with a food coloring or dye. Also, it would be really nice if you have a diver’s weight belt to keep you down in the water. Again, before you get in make sure the pool pump is off. 90013 90009 90010 Get up-close and personal 90011 90012 A hole can be anywhere in the liner, but most of the time the hole is at the bottom close to the pool’s wall.Put on your mask, take a breath, and swim to the bottom getting up-close and personal with the liner. Closely inspect any of those small valleys or divots you saw earlier for small holes. If you see what may be a hole, shoot some of the dye you have from your applicator around the area and see if the dyed water draws into the hole. If it does, voila, you have found a leak. 90013 90044 90002 So you checked at the bottom of the pool all the questionable areas of the pool liner and found no hole.The next place to check is all the way around the pool where the wall meets the pool’s bottom in the same up-close, methodical manner. Still no leak? Now in the same way check the pool wall starting at the bottom and moving towards the top. Most wall leaks are lower so spend most of the time at the foot at the bottom of the wall. 90003 90002 If you still have not found the leak, it’s time to play manta ray. Very slowly swim very close along the bottom (like a manta ray) inspecting every square inch of the pool liner.If at any time you see something that may be a hole, shoot some dye in the area and see if the dyed water draws into it in order to verify the leak. 90003 90002 Now you’re over this. You’ve searched the pool’s bottom like a sand shark for a couple of hours and you look like a prune and did not find anything. Well, that sucks! I really feel your pain. The last thing you can do is allow the pool to drain without adding water. It will stop at the point of the leak and make it easier to find, but not always.At this point it may be time to get a new liner. I’d say if your liner is five-years-old or older, then go ahead and get a new liner. When liners age, they may start leaking in several spots as they become brittle. 90003 90002 The last thing I can offer you is good luck finding the leak. Sometimes that’s what it takes. 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 .90000 Sinking an Above Ground Pool in the Ground 90001 90002 In-ground swimming pools have become super expensive. Here in Central Florida where concrete type in-grounds are the most popular, their price has gone through the roof. These pools usually start with a price tag of $ 30 000, but then go way up from there. It’s not at all uncommon to pay more than $ 50 000 for an average size concrete in-ground and that’s not even a very big or fancy one. 90003 90002 Because of this crazy cost of in-grounds, homeowners are finding a less expensive option by getting an above ground pool and sinking it in the ground.I have seen above grounds in the ground for many years and it’s nothing new, but it has certainly become much more popular in the last 10 years or so. It seems like at least one person asks me about this every day. So, if you are considering sinking an above ground swimming pool in the ground, you’ve found the right blog post. 90003 90006 Sinking an Above Ground Pool 101 90007 90002 Here’s a list of the basics of placing an above ground pool in the ground. Follow these basics and things will probably go well and you’ll be happy.If you do not follow them, you might still come out happy. Who knows? 90003 90010 90011 I. Only go down about halfway 90012 90013 90002 These pools are not called «above grounds» just ’cause it’s catchy. Above ground swimming pools are not designed for inward pressure. So, when you put them in the ground, they can cave in from the weight of the earth 90011, but only when they are empty 90012. By sinking the pool down only halfway (2-2.5 ft), the pool has a much less likelihood of caving in when the time comes to drain the pool while installing a replacement liner.90003 90002 If your ground is super firm, it will not matter much how far down you go. In Central Florida it’s mostly sand-based so that’s an issue, but if you have rocky, rooty, or earth with a lot of clay, you may be fine to go down further. Some will go with the extra cost of building a retaining wall all the way around the pool. If you do that then you’re also good, but that adds to the cost of the job and are not you wanting a much cheaper alternative to an in-ground? 90003 90002 Also, most who sink their pool will have a wood deck built around it.Wood decks require some height off the ground so its structure can be built and that’s another good reason to go only halfway down. 90003 90010 90011 II. The hole has to be bigger than the size of the pool 90012 90013 90002 Above ground pools are assembled on site. They can not be «pre-built» somewhere cool and then helicoptered in and set down into a hole perfectly. The thing has to be built in the hole so more room is needed. 90027 As a guideline, if the pool is going two or more feet down, make the hole 1.5 ‘bigger than the size of the pool all the way around 90028. EXAMPLE: A 24 ’round pool should have a hole that is at least 27′ in diameter. 90003 90002 Make sure the bottom of the hole is the desired size and not the top. I know that sounds stupid, but it’s not. A lot of times, holes get dug with a starting top dimension of 27 ’round and by the time the hole is two feet down, its dimension has tilted in and it ends up being a 26′ hole at the bottom. Additionally, if your earth is really sandy and loose, it may be a good idea to make the hole even bigger.There’s little more frustrating than building one of these pools in a hole and it caves in on you halfway through with loose earth. 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90010 90011 III.Leave piles of earth right next to the hole 90012 90013 90002 After the pool is built and full of water, you’ll want to backfill some dirt around the pool. Remember the hole was bigger than the pool? Leaving some earth close to the hole will make backfilling much easier. 90011 Warning: 90012 90027 Backfilling before the pool is full of water will result in the wall caving in! 90028 Do not start backfilling too early.Let the pool fill with water so the water’s outward pressure will keep the pool wall in place. I know this sounds like a «duh» statement, but believe me it’s happened more often than I want to admit. 90003 90010 90011 IV. Above ground pool pumps have to stay below the waterline 90012 90013 90002 There are a few differences between in-ground pool pumps and above ground pumps. The biggest one is that an above ground pool pump can not draw water up. This means that the above ground pump has to be at a level lower than the pool’s water level in order to work properly.If you are placing your above ground in the earth, make sure your pump stays below the pool. You can have your equipment well above the pool, but you’ll have to buy the more expensive in-ground pump to do so. Just another reason to go only halfway down (add this to the first guideline). 90003 90010 90011 V. Check for local safety guidelines 90012 90013 90002 For some towns or counties, an above ground swimming pool is considered safe because they are so high off the ground. With a safety ladder, above ground pools can be pretty safe for any small children wandering along the countryside unsupervised.Though, when you sink the pool that changes. If you do not have a fence around your yard or if wandering two-year-olds are a problem in your area, then consider this safety issue. 90003 90002 90011 Honorable Mention 90012 90003 90002 So many people ask me if an above ground pool will last as long when it is buried in the ground. Some feel that sinking one in the earth will make it rust out faster or something. It makes logical sense to think that is what will happen, but there is one thing that is more accurate than logical sense and that’s long-term observation.In my 30 years of working on these pools, I have seen no evidence that placing them in the ground takes any life out of them. Of course there are instances where that can be true, but I’m talking as a general rule. Now some disagree with me on this and that’s OK. It’s healthy to be wrong sometimes. Most of them have not observed above grounds apart from their own or maybe an uncle’s or neighbor’s or something. 90003 90002 Go ahead and install an above ground in the ground. You may enjoy it more as it will not be located so high up in your yard.90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 .90000 Do not Close your Pool GREEN! 90001 90002 90003 I know that some of you are secretly glad about closing the pool soon. One less thing to do around the house. 90004 90002 It’s tempting and altogether common, that pool maintenance slackens at the end of the season. Some pools are nearly abandoned the month before closing! 90004 90002 Getting your pool back in shape for closing is a great way to ensure an easier pool opening, while protecting your smooth, soft and stain-free pool surfaces.90004 90002 Some of you may be short on time and patience, however ~ 90004 90011 «The pool cover will block out the light, and kill the algae, right?» 90012 90002 Closing a pool that is green with algae, or dirty with debris or with water that is unbalanced, leads to heavy 90014 staining 90015 and 90016 saturation 90017 of the water with dead algae cells, which makes it easier for subsequent generations to grow. 90004 90002 Many forms of pool algae can grow accustomed to low light, and some can substitute aqueous starch or sugar, to acclimate to complete darkness.90004 90011 «The cold water will kill the algae then, right?» 90012 90002 90024 Algae becomes dormant at low temperatures, and the rate of photosynthesis and growth is very low once temperatures drop into the low 60’s. It’s for that reason that we have suggested on this blog to wait until your pool water temperature is 65 ° before closing the pool. 90004 90002 Algae growth is stopped at temperatures below 40 ° F, but some algae can continue to survive, and like weeds in a lawn, can go dormant over the winter, coming back to life in early spring, weeks before you open the pool.90004 90011 «Why Clean the Pool Twice, am I right?» 90012 90002 Why clean it now, and then again when you open? Two reasons — leaves, debris, dust and dirt mixes with salts and minerals in your pool and can make ugly stains during a long winter without circulation. Secondly, any organic matter in your pool uses up the winter chemicals quickly, leaving no reserve for springtime. 90004 90011 «What If I Drain & Clean the Pool next year?» 90012 90002 For concrete pools that are going to be drained and acid washed next year anyway, or if you are certain you’ll replace the pool liner in the spring — then you may think it quite clever to close the pool green, and without any winter chemicals.However, excessive algae growth from high pH and low sanitizer can damage pool plaster or steel pool walls, and other underwater pool materials. 90004 90011 «Can I Drain it Now, and Refill it in Spring?» 90012 90002 All swimming pools must be kept mostly full during the winter to prevent damage to the walls or popping of the pool from hydrostatic pressure. It also protects plaster from cracking and vinyl from shrinking. 90004 90011 «It’s Too Late, I have to Close the Pool Now!» 90012 90002 90043 If it’s urgent that you close the pool without the water being clear and balanced, and the pool spotlessly clean, I understand this happens sometimes.In addition to winterizing the pipes, or filling them with pool antifreeze, take these steps as a minimum: 90004 90045 90046 90047 Lower pH to 7.2, brush and skim to distribute 90048 90047 Shock the pool or add a winter chemical kit 90048 90047 Cover the pool tightly to block out leaves and sun 90048 90053 90054 90002 Green pools should always be covered, for safety reasons — uncovered green pools are more hazardous as the floor of the pool is not visible. 90004 90002 A safety cover is the best type of pool cover for winterizing, or for protecting a pool that is not regularly maintained, due to lack of funding or an empty house.90004 90002 In the long run, closing a pool green or filled with debris will create more work and could permanently stain or damage surfaces. Protect your pool with clean and balanced pool water, a winter kit, and a strong pool cover! 90004 90002 90062 Davy Merino 90062 InTheSwim Blog Editor 90004 90002 90004 90002 90004.90000 Pools: Above-Ground Vs. In-Ground | InTheSwim Pool Blog 90001 90002 90003 As a follow-up to my post «So you want a Pool?» … 90004 90002 When the time comes to take the plunge into your own backyard pool, you first have to decide: above-ground or inground? 90004 90002 A variety of factors will play into the decision, including what is best for your property, your budget and your family. 90004 90002 This is not a picture post, filled with pretty pictures of pools, but a word post filled with pretty words about pools.A picture may be worth 1000 words, but they do not actually say much. 90004 90002 90012 In the epic battle of Aboveground pools Vs. Inground pools, we have 9 categories of consideration, to help you decide on the best pool. 90004 90014 90015 Above-Ground vs. In-Ground Pools 90016 90017 90018 90019 90020 90002 Pool Installation 90004 90023 90002 90015 Aboveground pools 90017 can be installed quickly, in some cases in one day although most will take several days to clear and level the area, erect the pool, install the liner and fill with water.Assembling an entry / exit step system, fencing along the top rail and basic landscaping can add another day to the project. 90004 90002 In many parts of the country, there are few (if any) companies that offer above ground pool installation, unless you buy the pool from them. This means that an aboveground pool purchased online may require DIY installation. Not too difficult for most handy homeowners, but a task that needs to be planned for properly. 90004 90002 90015 Inground pools 90017 typically take 6-8 weeks to install once work begins.Some pool builders may be able to complete a pool more quickly than that, but bad weather, other pools being built at the same time and coordinating several sub-contractors often causes delays. 90004 90002 Vinyl or fiberglass pools skip a few steps in the process, namely steel, gunite and tile, but still take 4-6 weeks to build. Some companies can offer a Fast-Track construction price, for instance our inground vinyl pool kits which can have the pool built and full of water in just 4-5 days. 90004 90019 90020 90002 Pool Cost 90004 90023 90002 90015 Aboveground pools 90017 are priced from $ 900- $ 3000. Online for DIY pool packages to $ 4000- $ 8000. for installed pools from a local dealer.Price depends on size of the pool, optional equipment and quality of components. More expensive aboveground pools are deeper and thicker, with more durable materials and have options such as in-pool lighting, safety ladders or step systems, pool cleaners or larger, more effective filtration systems. 90004 90002 90015 Inground pools 90017 are priced from $ 5000 — $ 8000. for DIY vinyl pool kits, to a range of $ 30000 — $ 50000 for pools installed by a local pool builder. Like all pools, price depends on pool type and size, options and features, and to some degree the local market and economy.90004 90002 Pool decking ranges from $ 4 per sq. ft. to $ 24 per sq. ft., depending on the materials used — wood, concrete, brick or stone. Landscaping can cost a few bills, as can decorative pool fencing, no matter which type of pool you choose. 90004 90019 90020 90002 Space 90004 90023 90002 The space that you have available for a pool may not be a determining factor in deciding to go above or below ground, but it will dictate the size or shape of pool. 90004 90002 Setbacks are the distance from the property line where no construction can take place, which varies from 5 ‘to up to 50’ in some cases.There are also easements that may use some space, check your property plat or ask your county Zoning folks for information. 90004 90002 Another possibly limiting factor of terrain is 90061 Access 90062 for heavy equipment. A narrow strip along the side of the garage may be large enough for a track hoe or skid-steer loader, but can present problems for inground pool construction and calls for creative solutions. 90004 90002 Inground pools can take on any shape, and can be as large or small as you want.Small cocktail pools, plunge pools and lap pools are fashionable, in addition to being easier for lots with limited space available. 90004 90002 Aboveground pools can be built with a surrounding wood deck area that works with the terrain or by sculpted surrounding earth and landscaping to give the pool and deck a sunken and natural appearance. 90004 90019 90020 90002 Terrain 90004 90023 90002 Many homes have sloping backyards, some slope up, and some slope down. In these cases, retaining walls can be used to extend the usable area, by cutting into an up-slope, or building out over a down-slope.90004 90002 Terrain can also affect access for equipment and materials, as described above and may affect the choice of aboveground vs. inground. There’s always (usually) a way to make an inground pool work, but it comes with a higher price tag when significant earth work and retaining walls are needed, or when slender access pathways slow down progress. 90004 90019 90020 90002 Soil & Water 90004 90023 90002 In some parts of the country, bedrock is a bugger — large seams of granite or sedimentary rock can make an inground pool dig tough.In other locations near sea level, ground water or a high water table requires a de-watering system in place while an inground pool is dug and formed. 90004 90002 The type and quality of soils can sometimes make inground pool construction difficult or risky. Very sandy soils lack structural integrity while marine clay can be expansive, and both can be stressful to inground pools, particularly vinyl or fiberglass walls. 90004 90019 90020 90002 Pool Safety 90004 90023 90002 No matter which type of pool is built, pool safety is a concern.Aboveground pools are generally considered safer than inground pools because without a surrounding pool deck, falling into the pool is less of a possibility. 90004 90002 It is true that more drownings and near-drownings occur in inground pools as compared to aboveground pools, but when you consider that there are many more pools in-the-ground than above-the-ground, the statistical difference is less distinct. 90004 90002 Aboveground pool ladders that are not locked, or chairs left near the edge of an aboveground pool remove the illusion of safety.If a back patio deck is integrated with an aboveground pool deck, care must be taken to install a proper fence and self-closing gate, in compliance with local codes. 90004 90002 The safest pool is surrounded by a 4-sided pool fence, or an safety fence during summer and a safety cover during winter — both of which require a solid pool deck to anchor into, so they are not usually used on above ground pools . 90004 90019 90020 90002 Pool Maintenance 90004 90023 90002 90015 Above-ground pools 90017 are generally considered easier to maintain than inground pools, if only due to smaller size and water volume.90004 90002 In my experience however, it depends on the pool equipment and on the care given to the pool. Many aboveground pools are sold with small pumps and filters, in an effort to keep the cost down — and some pool owners do not run the pump long enough each day, or give water chemistry enough attention. 90004 90002 90015 In-ground pools 90017 are more often easier to keep clean, given that the pump, filter and cleaning equipment is larger and more effective. However, aboveground pools can also be equipped with bigger and better equipment.As for leaves and debris; it depends on the number and type of trees around the pool, and the direction the wind blows. 90004 90002 Another type of long-term maintenance cost is what I call the three R’s of pool ownership: Replacement, Repairs and Renovation. Inground pools will cost much more in this area than aboveground pools, simply because above ground pools are simpler, with less things that can go wrong, and fewer products with lower prices. 90004 90002 In the long run, an inground pool owner may spend several times the amount that his neighbor with an aboveground pool may spend on the three R’s.A large bill for an aboveground pool repair is $ 500, but for an inground pool, the expenses are much higher. 90004 90019 90020 90002 Pool Permanence 90004 90023 90002 90015 Aboveground pools 90017 are sold in two types, Portable and Permanent. Portable pools are the Intex style pool, used for just a few seasons, perhaps 5 years at the most. «Permanent» aboveground pools last much longer, but their permanence is questionable. I have seen 25 year old aboveground pools, but others may befall some calamity.90004 90002 Permanence has a reverse benefit for some people, that 90061 it can be 90062 removed in the future, if one so desired. In-ground pools, especially concrete pools have an easy 50 year lifespan, if not longer, and are difficult to remove. 90004 90002 90015 Inground pools 90017 are usually refurbished every 25 years or so, with new tile and coping, plaster and equipment. Vinyl and Fiberglass inground pools also can last for decades, if not 50 years, with new vinyl every 10 years or fiber resurfacing every 20 years.90004 90019 90020 90002 Pool Features 90004 90023 90002 Aboveground pools can have in-pool lighting, heaters, automatic cleaners and salt chlorine systems, but unless you build a custom concrete pool above-the-ground, you are limited to these basic features. 90004 90002 Inground pools can have attached spas, fire features, waterfalls and other water features that can blend in with lush landscaping. You can also build an inground pool in any shape you want, not just round or oval. And in any color palette you want, not just light blue.90004 90002 Inground pools can be built with negative edges that seem to flow into the horizon, or equipped with automatic pool covers or safety covers. They can have shallow water tanning ledges, benches and swim-up bars. Anything you and your pool designer can dream up can become a reality. 90004 90146 90002 I’m an aboveground pool owner, and I love my pool — it’s easy to take care of, and I do all the service work myself, which also means that it does not cost much to maintain, just a few hundred dollars per year.90004 90002 90150 The battle over the best pool type continues, but depends on more than just your budget, as I hopefully have demonstrated. Which is better for you, an above ground or in ground pool? 90004 90002 Toodles! 90004 90002 90004 90002 90157 90016 Sheryl Sollis 90016 InTheSwim Staff Blogger 90004 90002 90004 90002 90004.