Get matched with top above ground pool installation pros in Georgetown, ID

Building a pool yourself will take at least eight to 12 weeks. After all, this is the building timeline after hiring a pool contractor who knows how to draw up plans, analyze your landscape, and apply for proper permits. If you choose to tackle any part of the process alone, assume building a pool will take two to three months at a minimum.

While you should avoid draining an above ground pool on a regular basis, it may be necessary if you are experiencing common signs of major pool problems. When you fully drain your pool, do so slowly with the proper equipment and always avoid draining on a very hot day. In many cases, the pool liner and equipment depend on the cooling effect of the water.

Small backyards are not a reason to write off fun upgrades like an above ground pool. You can find both soft and hard-sided above ground pools as small as 8 feet in diameter as well as 9-by-18-feet rectangles or 10-by-16-feet ovals. You will need at least 2 to 3 feet around the outside of your pool for additional support and for placing pool equipment, but a professional pool installer can help you find a model that's right for your tiny outdoor space.

No, shock and chlorine are not the same thing, though they are related and both are used for pool maintenance. Regular chlorine, often in the form of tablets, is a sanitizer used for routine, day-to-day maintenance to keep a steady chlorine level. Pool shock, however, is a highly concentrated dose of chlorine used periodically for a more intense cleaning. It rapidly raises chlorine levels to fix issues like cloudy water or algae growth and also eliminates chloramines, which are byproducts of regular chlorination. Because their purposes and concentrations differ, they are not interchangeable, and proper pool care typically requires using both.