Above ground temporary pool experience?

[Betty]

We are considering buying an above ground pool in the $300 or so range. Does anyone have any experience with above ground pools that you can buy from Target or other local store?

I've read that the ones with the blow up ring can be troublesome and I'm leaning towards the metal or plastic structure with insert type.

I'd love to read your experiences with them as far as ease in setting up, durability and that sort of thing.

<--This may be me sitting by my pool with a cocktail.

[BarTopDancer]

I only know what I've heard from friends - make sure it's an even surface, the grass under will die from the pressure, put a tarp down under it in case it leaks.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I don't think we ever had one that serious growing up but pretty close. Will the bottom be rigid? If it's a flexible bottom and you're keeping it there all summer, I'd recommend ripping the grass out underneath it. It's all going to die anyway, and that way you can definitely get rid of small stones, even out the ground, etc. It might look soft and flat but it really isn't.

My mom used to put a bucket of water by the entrance to the house, so you can dip your feet and get rid of the grass clinging to you. We spent a huge percentage of our summer outside in small pools, fun sprinklers, slip and slides, etc because we had no air conditioning.

[Betty]

I like the foot bucket - great idea!

I hadn't thought about removing grass though... that needs some thought...

[Cynthia]

We had a small blow up one, it was punctured the first night by a neighborhood cat walking along the rim . . . then we replaced it with a 10' ridgepole style, got a sodium chlorinator for it, so never had to deal with chlorine the whole summer, just had fun pouring boxes of ice-cream maker salt into it. I loved it a great deal, bought a lounge float and lived on it, get a cover

[Tref]

I'll let the great Mitch Hedberg answer for me:

"I saw a commercial for an above ground pool. It was thirty seconds long. You know why, because that is the maxiumum amount of time you can depict yourself having fun in an above ground pool. If it was thirty one seconds the people in the pool would be saying, What do I do now, should I throw the ball back to Jimmy? Or, should I put on goggles and look at his feet?"

(Pic related -- It's Mitch Hedberg and my friend, Brian)

[Kevy Baby]

We had a Doughboy above-ground pool when I was young. I remember we had it sitting on about a 3" layer of sand we had brought in specifically for the pool. I don't remember how much we actually used it, but I know the ladder lasted MANY years beyond the pool.

[madmonkeygirl]

I don't remember much about installing out above ground pool. Going from an actual pool to an above ground pool was awfully small but it did the trick in the hot summer.

I do know we made sure the ground was free of rocks, debris and grass underneath the area the pool would go over. We all had to help with the sides since it was aluminum i believe a pain in the ass if you ask me. My dad did reinforce the poles though i believe. knew it didn't take long to actually have the pool up but definitely have to wait for the chemicals to take effect before you can actually go in it.

Good luck.

[wolfy999]

We had one for a couple of years when Wolfette was younger. We put it right on our grass with no problem, but we had installed sod a couple of years prior so knew it was smooth and level. We found we needed a cover for it to keep it a bit cleaner (and warmer) and we also drained it each winter (since no one would be using it then). The kids got a lot of use out of it, the adults not so much. It's a small investment (compared to a built-in) and worth it if you have kids.

[RStar]

I have helped put a rigid one up, and I suggest about 8 people helping hold it while putting it together. And you need a thick foam pad for underneath or you'll end up with some sharp object under it no matter what you do. They sell them for putting under the liner for ponds as well. Also, a bucket of water by the pool helps to keep the grass out of the pool.

I had a blow up type, and I had to put air in it about once or twice a week, but other wise I had no problem for the whole summer I used it.

Plan about a week for the water in the large pools to warm up enough to use. And plan to keep it well covered to stay clean. Put it in the full sun, and away from trees.