Questions about small above ground pools.

[Serena]

I'm thinking of getting a small pool for the kids. Maybe one of those inflatable ones.
Anyone with some experience with them. How big, what should I look for? How long does it take and would I be able to do it myself.
I've got a perfectly flat location for it thank goodness.

 

[Disney Ella]

We have an Intex inflatable pool - 15' by 42", which makes it around three feet deep inside. If you can get an 18' one, I would get that size. The pool is pretty easy to set up and the Intex ones come with a video. It would help if you have someone to help as it is a little heavy to drag around, but you can set it up alone if you need to. When you spread out the pool, try to get out as many wrinkles as you can on the bottom because once it starts filling up, you won't be able to move it. Ours fills up in about six to eight hours. I thought our yard was perfectly level, but it's off by a few inches, so we have a "deep" end and a "shallow" end. The kids love the pool and it's nice not to have to drive somewhere so that they can go swimming. We go in it too on hot days (well, DH more than me - I don't like unheated pools.) We bought a solar cover for the pool, which seems to keep it a little warmer.

 

[kilee]

We had one a few years ago. Just be sure of your town ordinances. Believe it or not, in many places those easy set pools have more regulations than a traditional above ground pool. It's because the side walls tend to be shorter making it easier for a young child to enter. Also, check w/ your home owners insurance as I've heard of people having cancelled policies because of these pools.

 

[Serena]

My level location is a flat cement area. It was going to be part of the new garage that was never built.
I'm guessing that it's at least 15 feet across.

 

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by Disney Ella
I thought our yard was perfectly level, but it's off by a few inches, so we have a "deep" end and a "shallow" end.

I thought the same thing...in fact I didn't truct the pool installers to give me an accurate price on leveling the ground, you pay by the inch, so I had a friend come over and tell me before they came and I was shocked when it was 7 inches difference between sides! Its like 50.00 a inch to level so at least I knew how much I would have to have to pay them!
I thought about buying one of those ez set pools but my neighbor had one and its the same amount of work as a real pool so I just went with the regular pool. The landscaper in his yard was weed wacking and hit the side of his and put a big hole in it...he got another one and they kept getting holes in the top ring and had to keep patching it....was more trouble than a regular above ground pool.