Thursday, July 5, 2012

Above Ground Pool Repair - Above Ground Pool Liner Replacement

I've been repairing above ground swimming pools for about 15 years now and by far the most common repair that comes up is liner replacement. Many things can go wrong with the above ground pool liner. Most on ground swimming pool liners normally last in a range of about 5 to 10 years. Some liners can last 15 maybe 20 years. But for the sake of this article most are generally between five and 10 years.

Often times a repair involving a liner will be from ice damage caused by winter. The ice on top of the structure and melts in early spring when the weather starts to warm. The ice shifts and creates liner punctures. This represents about 80% of all liner changes in the USA. The other 20 percent is from things like sharp objects, bad manufactured liners, bad chemistry etc.

When replacement is needed one will need to figure out what style liner they need. Next will be to determine the size needed and then someone will be needed to perform this repair for you.

You will want the advice from a professional contractor. You can attempt it on your own but be warned; it will try your patience and take up your whole Saturday or perhaps Sunday to.

First a measurement will be needed to determine the diameter for a round pool followed by the height of the pool. Oval ones will need length and width as well. Then what style liner you have like beaded, J Hook, easy beaded, overlap or expandable. Once you have this information you will be ready to go shopping for a new one. Where is the best place to get an above ground pool liner?

Good question! The best advice I could give is to look in a place with a good reputation and to remember, you get what you pay for.

When the contractor has completed above ground pool repair by replacing the old liner with the new one and refilling the pool test the water and maintain chemicals at their proper levels at all times. This is probably the single most protective action one can take to extend the life of a new above ground pool liner. If pool chemistry is not maintained properly the life cycle will be shortened. Maintaining your pools chemistry is the single most effective element to a long-lasting above ground pool liner.

To recap your above ground liner replacement will depend on measuring your above ground pools height, diameter, length-width.

The style of pool liner needed, hiring a contractor and testing your pool water regularly thereafter.

For more information about above ground pool repair topics please stop by my sites above ground pool repair page. Once there you can find other above ground pool repairs that may interest you and learn about how to fix them.

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Swimming Pools - In-Ground Vs Above-Ground


above ground pool winter covers

When you decide to have a pool constructed in your backyard, you not only create a recreational environment for your family, but you stand to enhance the value of your property. Owning a pool provides many opportunities for fun and relaxation in the warmer months, more so if you live in a temperate climate that yields more time to swim and play. Question is, once you've decided to build that pool, should you go for an above ground model or in-ground?

Regardless of the style of pool you choose, you're certain to enjoy the cool water and play with your family and friends. Both models are seen in backyards throughout the country, but as a homeowner you must decide which is best for you. Above ground and dug pools each have their own benefits and challenges, so if you are not leaning directly one way or the other here are a few considerations to help sway your choice:

Cost

How much does it cost to install a swimming pool? For in-ground models, prices will vary depending on size and depth. Do a search on the Internet and you may find numbers ranging from just over five thousand dollars to as much as ten grand - also factor in whether or not you have somebody install it for you.

By contrast, a nice above ground pool won't set you back as much. Depending on size, you could pay as little as a few hundred dollars to as much as five thousand - the price often factors in the materials used to make the pool's interior and walls. Traditionally, the above ground model will be less expensive, but that doesn't mean it is always the correct choice for you.

Size

Above ground pools have come a long way in the last few decades. Once upon a time, we might skim a peek over the fence to see the round blue object in the neighbor's yard, while these days homeowners may choose between round and oval models. Above ground swimming pools typically start at twelve feet in circumference and may be extended to as much as thirty-three for round and oval models. If you have the yard to suit, you can even buy an oval kit that stretches forty feet long.

With in-ground pools, however, you can be more creative. Pool designers can offer designs from the simple rectangle to curvaceous shapes that give your backyard an aesthetically pleasing look. Depending on where you live, too, you can have one end as deep as eight feet. Above ground models, by contrast, usually go no deeper than four and a half feet...otherwise you'd need a tall ladder to get in!

Maintenance

Just because you have an above ground pool doesn't mean you can get away with not buying a pump and filters and chemicals to clean the water. You cannot treat this model like an overgrown kiddie pool - it will need to be maintained the same as you would care for an in-ground pool. Issues like mold, clogged filters, and pump maintenance carry over to both types of pools.

Enhancements

To get into an above-ground pool, you'll use a ladder. However, you can always enhance the look of your swimming area by constructing a raised deck around the edge. This not only makes for better socialization space around the pool, but easier access for swimmers - if a family member or guest has limited mobility, it may be difficult to get into the pool otherwise.

With an in-ground pool, there are ways to beautify the area with landscaping as well. In-ground models may also come with a diving board, something you don't normally see on an above ground pool.

Swimming pools come in different shapes and sizes, and if you intend to have one installed at home you have the advantage of choice. Take into consideration all characteristics of above ground and in-ground pools before making your decision, then enjoy the water!

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on Norfolk pool supplies and Virginia Beach pools.

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Sizes and Dimensions of Above Ground Pools Examined

As it stands today, prefabricated above ground pools are fast becoming the most popular choice for people looking to convert their backyards into aquatic playgrounds. The choices and options in so many pool accessories also continues to expand, as does the choices in the pools themselves.

The Physics of Pool Shapes

Through it all though, due to the physics thats involved with keeping the water contained in above ground pools, their actual shapes is far more limited than say, standard built in cement pools. Those pools you see, can be built in pretty much any shape a person desires.

Round & Oval - Take Your Pick

So your choices in above ground prefabricated pools is limited to round and oval. It's just the way that things are because it's the actual pressure of the water contained in them that keeps them standing. Try installing a prefab unit of this type in any other shape and it would simply collapse.

24 Foot Round - Most Popular Choice

By far the most popular choice in shapes, is the simple basic round pool. Coincidentally, they also tend to be the most affordable and the easiest to install. The the most popular choice in size happens to be the twenty-four foot round pool. It's a good sized unit that's easy to set up and can easily accommodate a crowd.

Smaller and Larger Round Above Ground Pools

Round above ground pools are also available in smaller sized 12 foot and larger sized 33 foot models as well. Bear in mind though that a 12 foot model is more aptly suited for small children and a 33 foot pool will take up a good piece of ground in a backyard.

The Goliath 21' x 41' Oval

Now a 12 foot wide oval pool does have more to offer because it will be 20-24 foot long, which is plenty big for adults and teens. Even so, if that isn't big enough for you there are standard, off the shelf oval models that are a whopping 21 feet by 41 feet, which is a heck of a lot of water to swim in.

Article by Marc Smit. Surf to this site for more details on Hot tubs and above ground pools.

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Above Ground Pool Heaters

Above ground pool heaters are an efficient way to keep your pool warm all year round, and to make sure that you have warm pool water in the evenings. There are many different technologies that you can use, and in this article I'm going to be informing you about them, debating about the relative merits and drawbacks. Finally I'm going to show you where you can get the plant you want at the lowest price.

The first thing you need to do to keep your pool warm is conserve the heat that is already in it. Pools loose up to 75% of their heat from the surface through evaporation and winds blowing across the pool. Reducing this heat loss can split your heating costs. The simplest way to try this is with the pool cover, or a solar blankets. The pool cover simply covers the pool and blocks heat from being lost. The solar blanket take this a step further. It allows sunlight shining through the blanket into the pool, but it stops the heat from the daylight from coming out again. It is like a greenhouse for your pool, and allows your pool to basically raise in temperature when the daylight shining without delay on it.

The first kind of above ground pool heater, and the least expensive to install, is a gas powered system. These heaters use propane to generate heat, and as they are extremely simple they don't cost much money to buy or install. However, propane is a relatively dear technique of heating a pool, and can be so costly that the majority consider it to be an unviable system. You might be looking at spending $3000 a year to heat your pool in a comparatively hot climate like Florida. Obviously it's much dearer in colder climes.

The next option is an above ground pool heat pump. This is a heater that works by sucking heat out of the encompassing air. As the air is circulated by the winds you don't notice any discernible drop in air temperature, but the pool does warm up.

This is kind of an energy efficient way of heating your pool as you are using naturally heat. It does need electricity to work, so it's not in a wholly free power source, but is very much less expensive than propane. When used together with the pool blanket it can save a lot of money. Installing one of these systems is much more costly than installing a propane based system as it is much more advanced, but this technology will pay for itself in some years due to the much lower running costs.

Solar powered above ground pool heaters use solar panels to collect heat. The solar energy panels are not photoelectric panels, which generate electricity, they are easy black panels that water can run inside. The sun's light shines and is soaked up. The energy is converted into heat that the water picks up. The flow of water gets power from the pools pump and controlled by a digital control panel, which works on a timer and also operates to raise the temperature to a desired setting. It stops the pool from overheating, and keeps the heating system running as long as it takes to raise the temperature to the specified level. Some systems let you to a water tank so you can also gain hot water for your home once the pool has reached its desired temperature. This is a pleasant additional, but isn't required.

The solar energy system is pricey to buy and install compared against a gas powered system, but the energy is free and the operational costs virtually nothing. Due to this, the system pays for itself in as little as two years.

Some folks use a mixture of heating systems. The cause of this is that in the coldest months of the year, the solar power can be low, and the heat in the surrounding air can be quite low as well, so both the heat pump system and the solar electricity system can find that they don't generate enough heat on their lonesome to raise the pool temperature. For this reason, a gas powered system is commonly installed shortly after these heating systems in the circulation system, and is set to operate only way the temperature generated by the solar system or heat pump isn't high enough. In this example, your gas bills are still extremely low because almost all of the time the gas heater it is not operating, but when the pool temperature goes too low, the gas heater kicks in and gives a much-needed boost.

As you can see, there are a range of different options facing you when you get an aboveground pool heater, and your own choice will rely upon your circumstances and preferences. However, there's one site that provides you with all the different hardware you must implement any of these heating systems. It guarantees the lowest possible costs for all the apparatus on sale. If you can find a lower price anywhere, they may undercut the price by 10%.

Click here to see a site which will give you a big discount on all of the equipment you need to install swimming pool solar heating.
If you want to find out more about the subject, read my swimming pool heaters blog.

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What Are The Popular Above Ground Pool Accessories?

How about a pool for which you never have to dig up the ground or the one that could be comfortably shifted from one place to another? The above ground pools are movable and can be placed anywhere conveniently. However, just like the inground swimming pools, the above ground pools too require certain devices for regular maintenance.

You can buy above ground pool accessories from a reputed online dealer these days. There are various stores across the Web that sell good quality branded products and accessories for above ground natatoriums. When it comes to above ground pool accessories, the commonest ones are the toys. These toys are used to make the pool look interesting and welcoming to the kids and children. There are unlimited options for such toys in the market today. It ranges from volleyball nets to basketball hoops; and from floating toys to basketballs.

However, the above ground pool accessories are not limited to floating toys only. You can also buy pool-side furniture and seats to rest in. You can either buy the floating loungers or the ones that can be placed along the sides of the natatorium. There are various types of loungers, chairs and chairs available to choose from. Some loungers are complete with cup holders and air filled pillow to make them more comfortable to sit in. there are also various sizes and styles of these chairs available to you.

When you are shopping for toys and other accessories to enhance the experience at the natatorium, do not forget the important fixtures that are required for the regular maintenance of the water. Among the various types of fixtures, the essentials ones include the heaters, the pump, the filter, and the water treatment system. These devices make sure that your natatorium stays clean and healthy all the year round. Ladder is one of the important above ground pool accessories that you must buy. As the above ground natatoriums are placed on the ground without digging a hole, you need to climb up a ladder to take a plunge at the water. You can consider buying multiple ladders to allow more than one people to get on the pool simultaneously.

So, you can see that there are various above ground pool accessories that can further enhance your swimming experience. However, you can only buy good quality products at reasonable only from a reputed online dealer. Start searching for an authentic online dealer immediately if you want to buy good quality products at affordable rates. One useful example of a reputed dealer of above ground pool accessories is Pool Supply 4 Less.

If you want all the information that you need on above ground pool accessories, Please visit www.poolproducts4less.com.

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The Best Way to Level an Above Ground Pool

Installing an above ground pool is the next best thing, considering the extremely sizzling weather at the moment. The kids will love this, because they have full access to it, especially during the summer season. They can also invite their friends over, and you don't even have to worry about their whereabouts during the daytime. However, you should still look out for their safety, because accidents can happen. Safety should always be a top priority, so, before these things are installed, it's important that the ground beneath your pool is even. If not, there is a big chance that the water will spill and the walls will collapse. This is something that you wouldn't want to happen, because it will cause a lot of accidents. If you are interested to learn more, here are some things that can help you:

• Before you install above ground swimming pools, it's important that you have a flat surface for it. Make sure that the space is bigger than the size of the pool that you want to have. It would be good to make proper measurements first, before making a decision.

• Allot some time to remove rocks and grass in the area where you want to place your pool. You can do this with the use of a cutter or a lawn mower. However, since your main goal is to inhibit the growth of the grass, you can put plastic sheets over it. This will kill the grass in no time.

• If you want to make sure that your area is even, put strings on both sides, beginning from the center (round pools). If your pool has a rectangular shape, you can use a board to level it.

• If a certain area is higher than the rest, you can even things out by digging the area and removing some of the soil.

• Once everything is even, add sand above the soil. These are for sale in the market, so make sure that you find someone who can offer you a good deal. Spread everything with the use of a rake, so that the distribution will be on the same level.

• To harden the sand, it would be good to run a roller over it. Check the level from time to time to know if you are on the right track.

• As soon as you finish leveling the surface, you can put a tarpaulin or pool pads over it. This will prevent it from having direct contact from sharp objects. This is something that you want to avoid, because it can tear your above ground swimming pools.

• You can also put stones or blocks around the area to support the water, but make sure that you don't use the sharp ones. This will prevent dents and the spillage of water.

Setting up an above ground pool is a good innovation, compared to the traditional ones that everyone are used to. At this point, you don't have to worry about spending a bulk of your money just to own a one. All you need is enough space and a little patience!

For more information about an above ground pool and above ground swimming pools, visit our website poolsaboveground.com.

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Above Ground Pools - Make an Informed Choice

Nothing is more fun and inviting than a backyard pool. Beating the summer heat with family and friends is one of summertime’s biggest pleasures. With the huge popularity of above ground swimming pools this major backyard water feature is not only fun but affordable.

Getting the right pool for your home and budget can be a daunting affair. So many choices and such odd terminology; hopper bottom, skimmer, return lines, cove etc. It’s not really that hard to cut through the noise and find the above ground pool that’s right for you.

Above ground pools come in two shapes; round and oval. These shapes are available in a number of sizes that most manufacturers sell. The most popular size is the 24 ft. round pool but round pools are available in diameters from 12 ft. to 33 ft. Oval pools usually start in the 12 ft. by 20-24 ft. size and get as large as 21 ft. x 41 ft. The area for your pool and your budget will combine to suggest the size that will work best. The ideal pool location will get at least 6-8 hours of sun during the summer and should be as flat and unobstructed as possible. Trees in particular can be troublesome if too close to a pool. Power lines or telephone poles are right out! Keep in mind that many oval pools have side supports or buttresses that can jut out as much as 2-3 feet from the base of the pool. Some newer oval designs have done away with buttresses that allows oval pools to go where ovals have never gone before.

Above ground pools are nearly always made of either steel or resin/plastic. Steel pools have been around for more than 40 years. Resin pools are relative newcomers. Corrosion is always a problem with steel pools and resin pools definitely will not rust. Resin pools generally cost more but industry figures put the average life span of an above ground pool at between 4 and 5 years. Rust may not be a factor! The choice is yours. Pools have gotten deeper in recent years. The standard 48 inch high pool is now overtopped by 52 inch and even 54 inch tall models.

To hold water, your pool needs a vinyl liner. There is a large selection of patterns from simple blue to exotic looking tile motifs and even a liner that mimics a tropical reef complete with fish and coral! Most pool packages are sold with an overlap style liner. These liners wrap over the top of the pool wall and cling to the outside of the pool. The liner is held in place by the top rail. You will also see beaded liners. These snap into a thin receiving strip just under the top rail on the inside of the pool and eliminate the overlap. Beaded liners tend to be an upgrade and cost more but they are usually a heavier, 25 gauge vinyl rather than the 20 gauge common in overlap liners.

The most important purchase after the pool itself is the filtration system. If you make an informed choice your pool will run cleaner and be less work. Sand and cartridge filters are the usual choices available for above ground pools. Each has advantages and drawbacks. Filter sand is inexpensive but if neglected can turn nasty and sand filters are a chore to clean and re-fill. Cartridge filters require less maintenance but cartridges do wear out and can cost over $200.00 to replace.

The heart of any pool filtration system is the pump. A good pump, properly matched to the size of your pool will give many years of dependable service. Don’t buy too much power. Pools need to have clean filtered water not imitate Old Faithful. Most above and many in-ground pools work well with no more than a 1 hp. pump and motor combination. Small to mid-size above ground pools do well with ¾ hp units. Proper pump sizing will use less electricity and less wear on hoses and filters.

Rob Coxworth

WebfootLeisure.com [http://www.webfootleisure.com]

The author has over twenty years of experience in the swimming pool industry as a salesmen and CEO. Mr. Coxworth currently operates Webfoot Leisure.com, a website specializing in pools, supplies and equipment. Mr. Coxworth offers free pool advice as Dr.Duck.

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