Get matched with top above ground pool installation pros in Wolf Point, MT

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.

A black tarp will indeed heat your pool. Black absorbs more heat than other colors. This heat will transfer down to the water in your pool and help increase the temperature. It will not be extremely effective at raising the overall temperature, but it can help maintain the current temperature.

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.

An easy way to know whether your sand filter has enough sand is to check how full the filter is and what the sand looks and feels like. The filter container should be two-thirds to three-quarters full of sand. Look for interior marks indicating the ideal sand level. If you put your hand into the sand, it should flow through your fingers without clumping. The filter pressure gauge is also an easy indicator—the right amount of sand leads to normal pressure, while too much or too little sand can cause high or low pressure.