Get matched with top above ground pool installation pros in Chatfield, MN

Sometimes, homeowners choose to install their pool on concrete, foam tiles, or patio pavers. Leveled dirt is also fine, as long as it’s not sod or grass. Regardless, you’ll need to install sand as a buffer to prevent your liner from tearing. Some pool installers also use a protective foam pool pad.

A good rule of thumb is to add one or two 40-pound bags of salt for every inch of rain, but you’ll want to test your salt levels first to ensure you’re adding the right amount. Rainwater can dilute the salt levels in your pool, so after significant rainfall, test the levels and add the appropriate amount of salt to bring it back to the ideal level.

An above-ground pool with a deck can increase your home's value by as much as 4% to 7%, but it depends on your local climate, potential buyers, and the size and condition of your pool. Some buyers see a pool as a liability instead of a luxury, especially if it's at the end of its life span. In general, it's best to add a pool and deck to your property if it will bring you enjoyment—not because it raises the value of your home.

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.