30 years of above ground pool know-how
Pool guides from Dave & the crew
Straight answers on liners, installs, water care and winter, from the installers who do it every day across Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
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Liners & Replacement 5 Steps to a Perfect Pool Liner Replacement Replacing your above ground pool liner? Follow our 5 steps, from measuring to the fill, from a Norton, MA installer with 30 years of experience. Liners & Replacement How Long Do Above Ground Pool Liners last? Buying & Planning Why a Backyard Consultation is Paramount Buying & Planning How Long Do Pools Last? (With Examples)
Book Before Opening · Spring 2027
Book your spring liner replacement by March 31 and get a new skimmer & return free
A $120 value, and your pool gets on the schedule before the opening-season rush.
Winter & Closing
Water Care Cloudy Pool Water: Causes and Fixes Cloudy above ground pool water? Test first, find the cause (chlorine, pH, filter or debris), then fix it step by step, plus when to use clarifier or floc. Liners & Replacement Leaking Skimmer or Return? How to Find and Fix It Above ground pool leaking at the skimmer or return? How to confirm it, tighten and reseal the faceplate and gaskets, check outside fittings, and know when to call. Liners & Replacement What Affects the Cost of a Pool Liner Replacement? What drives the cost of an above ground pool liner replacement: size, shape, thickness, wall foam and floor pads, base repairs and decks, plus ways to save. Installation & Leveling Pool Wall Rusting? What to Do Before It Fails Rust on your above ground pool wall? How to tell surface rust from rust-through, how to treat it, when it’s dangerous, and when it’s time for a new pool. Equipment & Heating Can Dogs Swim in an Above Ground Pool? Can your dog swim in an above ground pool? The risks to your liner and your dog, how to give them a safe way out, and how to keep the water clean. Water Care Yellow, Black or Pink Algae? How to Identify and Treat It Yellow, black or pink growth in your above ground pool? How to identify mustard algae, black spots, pink slime and water mold, and treat them safely on a vinyl liner. Equipment & Heating Above Ground Pool Safety Checklist for Families Keep your family safe around an above ground pool: a Water Watcher, 4-foot barriers, locking ladders, alarms, pool rules and a printable safety checklist. Installation & Leveling Should You Buy a Used Above Ground Pool? Thinking about a used above ground pool? The hidden costs, what to check before you buy, how to take it down safely, and how it compares with a new pool. Installation & Leveling Resin vs. Steel vs. Hybrid: Which Above Ground Pool Is Right for New England? Steel, hybrid or resin above ground pool? Compare rust, salt water, cost and New England winters, plus which of our six models fits your yard.Click Publish, then purge both caches. Liners & Replacement How to Choose a Pool Liner Pattern Choosing an above ground pool liner pattern? How liners look under water, light vs. dark, patterned vs. solid, and which patterns fit your pool’s wall and attachment. Installation & Leveling How to Choose an Above Ground Pool Installer: 10 Questions to Ask Hiring an above ground pool installer? Ask these 10 questions about leveling, the base, the liner, what’s included, permits and warranty, and know the red flags. Water Care Can You Have a Salt Water Above Ground Pool? Can an above ground pool be salt water? Which pools handle salt, what you need, how to convert, and how to care for a salt pool in New England. Equipment & Heating Pool Pump Won’t Prime? 7 Fixes Above ground pool pump won’t prime or keeps losing prime? Seven fixes in order, from water level and pump lid O-rings to hose leaks, valves and trapped air. Installation & Leveling Does an Above Ground Pool Add Home Value? Does an above ground pool add home value? How appraisers see it, when a pool helps or hurts a sale, and what to check when buying a house with one. Liners & Replacement Liner Pulled Away From the Wall? What to Do Now Above ground pool liner popped out of the track or slipped off the wall? What to do right away, how to put it back, and when it means a new liner. Liners & Replacement Why Is My Pool Liner Wrinkled? Causes and Fixes What causes wrinkles in an above ground pool liner, how to fix small ones with the water in, and when wrinkles mean it’s time for a new liner. Winter & Closing Replacing Your Liner Next Spring? Should You Still Winterize? Getting a new above ground pool liner next spring? Close the pool this fall anyway. What you can’t skip, where you can save, and how to get ready for liner day. Equipment & Heating Best Above Ground Pool Accessories The above ground pool accessories worth buying, by job: ladders and steps, safety alarms, cleaning tools, test kits, solar covers, lights and winter gear. Equipment & Heating How to Keep an Above Ground Pool Warm Without a Heater Keep your above ground pool warmer without a heater: solar covers, reels, solar rings, liquid covers, windbreaks and more sun. Simple steps that work in New England. Liners & Replacement Why Winter Is the Best Time to Book a Liner Replacement Need a new above ground pool liner? Booking over the winter gets you on the schedule before the spring rush, gives you time to pick a pattern, and saves on opening chemicals. Water Care Spring Opening Checklist for Above Ground Pools (DIY) Open your own above ground pool this spring: remove the cover, reconnect the equipment, balance and shock the water, and spot liner problems early. Step-by-step checklist. Installation & Leveling Replacing an Old Above Ground Pool: Can the New One Go in the Same Spot? Replacing an old above ground pool? Learn when the same spot works, when to move or resize, and why old pool sites need re-leveling. Free site visits in MA & RI. Liners & Replacement Rhode Island Pool Liner Replacement: What Homeowners Should Know Replacing an above ground pool liner in Rhode Island? See the signs, liner vs. full pool replacement, and when to book. Free site visits in Providence, Kent & Bristol counties. Installation & Leveling Above Ground Pool Removal: What to Expect How above ground pool removal works: takedown only vs. haul-away, what’s included, how long it takes (1 to 4 hours) and how to prepare your yard. Winter & Closing Green Pool After Winter? How to Clear It Fast Opened your above ground pool to green water? Don’t drain it. Here’s how to clear a green pool in 3 to 7 days: balance, shock, brush and filter. Buying & Planning Do You Need a Permit for an Above Ground Pool in Massachusetts? Does an above ground pool need a permit in Massachusetts? Yes. Here are the barrier, ladder and setback rules, what to bring, and what to ask your town. Liners & Replacement 7 Signs Your Above Ground Pool Liner Needs Replacing Faded, brittle, wrinkled or leaking? Here are 7 signs your above ground pool liner needs replacing, and how to decide whether to patch or replace it. Liners & Replacement The Ultimate Guide to Above-Ground Pool Liners: Quality, Fit, and Longevity Choose the right above ground pool liner: mil vs. gauge, attachment styles, virgin vinyl and a solid sand or stone dust cove. Buying & Planning The Ultimate Guide to Choosing and Installing Your Above-Ground Pool Everything to know before buying an above ground pool: steel vs. hybrid vs. resin, round or oval, leveling, filtration, essentials and pro install vs. DIY. Liners & Replacement How to Replace an Above Ground Pool Liner – Round Pool A step-by-step guide to replacing a round above ground pool liner: draining, base prep, cove, setting the liner and filling without wrinkles. Equipment & Heating 6 Reasons To Consider an Aqua Comfort Heater for Your Above-Ground Pool? 6 reasons to add an AquaComfort heat pump to your above ground pool: a longer season, warmer water for the whole family and efficient operation. Liners & Replacement How to Drain an Above-Ground Pool How to drain an above ground pool with a pump or hose siphon, when you shouldn’t drain at all, and why an empty liner is at risk. Winter & Closing Winterizing an Above-Ground Pool in New England How to close an above ground pool for a New England winter: when to close, water balance, plumbing, air pillow, solid cover and winter checks. Equipment & Heating Above Ground Pool Heating in New England, AquaComfort How an AquaComfort heat pump heats an above ground pool, how to size it, what affects running costs, and what to expect in a New England climate. Buying & Planning How Long Do Radiant Pools Last? Radiant pools are built to last decades with a lifetime transferable warranty. How long the walls and liner last, and how to make yours last. Winter & Closing How to Winterize a Radiant Pool How to winterize a Radiant pool step by step: cleaning, water balance, shock, lowering the water, plugging lines, draining equipment and covering. Buying & Planning How Much Does It Cost To Install a Radiant Pool? What drives the cost of a Radiant pool installed above ground, semi in-ground or in-ground, and how Radiant compares to other pool types. Liners & Replacement How Long Do Above Ground Pool Liners last? Most above ground pool liners last 8–15 years. Learn what shortens a liner’s life, what thickness to choose and the signs it’s time to replace it. Installation & Leveling How to Level an Above Ground Pool How we level an above ground pool: excavating the pad, laser-leveling the track, solid ground, sand or stone dust base and a stone finish. Buying & Planning How Long Do Pools Last? (With Examples) A quality above ground pool lasts 15–25 years. See how steel, hybrid and resin compare, and how to get the most years out of yours. Installation & Leveling How Much Does a Swimming Pool Weigh? (With Examples) How much does a filled pool weigh? A 24' round above ground pool weighs about 108,000 lbs. See weights by size and why it matters for your base. Water Care Can You Put Fish in a Swimming Pool? Can fish live in a swimming pool? No. Why chlorine kills fish, why you can’t skip the chlorine, and fun alternatives. Water Care Can You Put Too Much Clarifier in a Pool? Yes, you can use too much pool clarifier. Learn the signs, how to fix it without draining, and how to use clarifier the right way. Installation & Leveling How Much Does It Cost To Fill a Pool With Water? How much it costs to fill an above ground pool: figure your gallons, read your water bill, get a sewer credit, and compare hose vs. water truck. Installation & Leveling How Much Sand Do I Need for a Pool? How much mason sand or stone dust you need for an above ground pool, by size. A 24' round takes about 3.5 yards. Includes the math and best material. Equipment & Heating How Long Does It Take for a Pool To Heat Up? How long it takes to heat an above ground pool with a heat pump, the sun or gas, plus warm-up times by pool size and tips to speed it up. Water Care How To Keep Birds Away From Your Pool 8 humane ways to keep birds and ducks away from your pool, why their droppings matter, and what not to do. Buying & Planning Pool Deck Modification Trick A “same size” replacement pool often won’t fit your old deck. Learn why top rails and uprights change the fit, and the trick that saves the deck. Equipment & Heating Can You Use an Extension Cord for a Pool Pump? Can you run a pool pump on an extension cord? Not on a permanent above ground pool. Why it’s unsafe and against code, and what to do instead. Water Care How Often Should You Add Chlorine to a Pool? Keep free chlorine at 2–4 ppm and pH at 7.2–7.6. Learn what uses up chlorine, when to shock, and how often to test your above ground pool. Water Care How Much Chlorine Should I Use in My Pool? How much chlorine an above ground pool needs (2–4 ppm), how to dose tablets, liquid and shock, and how to fix levels that are too high or low. Water Care What Happens When You Overfill a Pool? An overfilled above ground pool is usually fine, but it hurts skimming and chemistry. The right water level and 3 easy ways to lower it. Liners & Replacement Why Are Swimming Pools Blue? Why pool water looks blue: how light, depth, clean water and your liner pattern shape the color of an above ground pool. Water Care What Not To Wear in a Pool What not to wear in an above ground pool: why street clothes, zippers and jewelry are bad for swimmers, filters and liners, and what to wear. Liners & Replacement Reasons Why Your Pool Is Losing Water Is your above ground pool leaking or just evaporating? Use the bucket test, find liner and equipment leaks, patch small holes and know when to replace. Equipment & Heating Why Are Pools So Cold? Why your pool feels so cold: shade, nighttime heat loss and how water pulls heat from your body, plus how to warm it up. Buying & Planning How Long Do Intex Pools Last? How long Intex pools last: Easy Set, Prism Frame and Ultra Frame lifespans, what shortens them, how to make yours last, and when to go permanent. Liners & Replacement How Long Can You Leave a Pool Empty? An above ground pool should be empty as little as possible. Why liners shrink and walls suffer when drained, and how to drain safely for a liner replacement. Installation & Leveling Can I put an Above Ground Pool On Pavers? Yes, you can put an above ground pool on pavers or a slab. See the 4 steps, base materials, slab specs for New England frost and why to skip mulch. Installation & Leveling How Out of Level Can My Above Ground Pool Be? Your dig should be within 1/2" to 2" and the track within 1/16". See why an unlevel pool fails in winter and how much of your yard gets dug up. Buying & Planning Round or Oval Pool, Which One Should You Get? Round or oval pool? Compare cost, swim area, swimmer capacity, excavation size and yard fit to choose the right above ground pool shape. Buying & Planning Why a Backyard Consultation is Paramount Buying a replacement pool online because it’s the same size? Here’s why it may not fit, and how a free backyard visit saves your deck and money. Installation & Leveling What’s The Best Weather To Install an Above Ground Pool? The best weather to install an above ground pool is 70–85°F with little wind. How pros handle wind, cold liners, wrinkles and wet ground. Buying & Planning How to Purchase An Above-Ground Pool Online How to buy an above ground pool online without getting burned: the basics you need, the 4 starting steps, online traps, and a mock purchase. Installation & Leveling Electric Requirements for Above Ground Residential Pools Electrical requirements for a permanent above ground pool: dedicated GFCI circuit, receptacle distances, conduit and bonding. Always use a licensed electrician. Liners & Replacement Pool opening and the water level is low? Water low when you open your pool? Find out if it’s winter, a leak or the liner, what liner warranties cover, and when it’s time for a new liner. Water Care Pool Maintenance A simple weekly routine for an above ground pool: skimming, brushing, vacuuming, filter care, water chemistry and why you should never drain it. Equipment & Heating Ladders and Steps A-frame ladders, deck ladders, walk-in steps, combos and gated stair entries for above ground pools: which fits your pool, and our top picks. Water Care Pool Chemicals Chlorine, Pool Frog mineral, salt or oxygen? A plain-English guide to sanitizing an above ground pool, with target water ranges and products we use. Buying & Planning Above Ground Pool Installers are Busy, How do I Get One to Visit? Pool installers are booked solid. How to get one to your yard, why a visit matters before you buy, and how our free backyard visits work. Water Care Pool-Frog Sanitizer Compared to Salt Water System? Pool Frog or salt water system? Compare how each sanitizes, up-front and ongoing costs, maintenance, and which pools each works with. Installation & Leveling How to Install An A. G. Pool Water Return Correctly How to install an above ground pool water return the right way: protecting the cut edge, gasket order, cutting the liner, and the mistake that causes leaks. Buying & Planning Above-Ground Pool Deck Ideas 4 above ground pool deck styles (cantilever, under-rail, flush and multi-level) plus add-on ideas and how to plan for your next liner or pool. Liners & Replacement Pool Liner Replacement Day What happens on liner replacement day, from draining and base repair to the new liner and fill, and how to get your yard ready. Installation & Leveling Oval Above-Ground Pool Installation The 10 questions we hear most at oval pool visits: placement, excavation, base, filter location, electrical, water and cost. From 30 years of installs. Winter & Closing How to Combat Pool Winter Damage Protect your above ground pool from New England winters: water bags, cover tips, ice damage and what to check in spring Equipment & Heating Above-Ground Pool Filtration Systems Sand, cartridge or DE? How each above ground pool filter works, how to size your pump for proper turnover, cleaning schedules and winterizing. Installation & Leveling Should We Fill Our Pool With a Water Truck? Water truck or garden hose? Compare costs, see how many gallons your round or oval pool holds, and learn how to get a sewer credit from your town. Installation & Leveling Above-Ground Pool Base Materials Explained Mason sand, stone dust or pea stone? Compare above ground pool base materials and why we recommend a sand or stone dust cove. Liners & Replacement 5 Steps to a Perfect Pool Liner Replacement Replacing your above ground pool liner? Follow our 5 steps, from measuring to the fill, from a Norton, MA installer with 30 years of experience. Liners & Replacement 6 Pool Liner Attachments-Above Ground Pools Overlap, beaded, J-hook, uni-bead and more. Compare 6 above ground pool liner attachment styles, with photos, so you order the right one. Buying & Planning How to Buy an Above Ground Pool What’s in a starter above ground pool package and how to choose each piece: pool type, shape, liner, filter, sanitizer, ladder and accessories.
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