After a day of splashing around in your inflatable pool, you may be wondering just how long you can keep the water in the pool before you need to drain it. If you’re using chemical cleaning agents, like chlorine, it’s recommended you change the water every two weeks. A pool skimmer comes in handy when you need to remove leaves, grass, or dirt. For larger inflatable pools, you can purchase a handheld vacuum to clean any debris that gathers at the bottom of the pool.
Here are our picks for the best above ground pools to make the most out of your summer. Setup is said to take about an hour (though some reviewers say it’s much longer), and it’s easy to maintain, with routine backwashing needed only every five years. This pool is also designed with safety in mind, thanks to its removable ladder and its automatic pump shutoff, which activates if the water comes in contact with the electrical current. Along with our in-house experts, our team analyzes thousands of product reviews from the most trusted websites. “We are truly enjoying the pool! In Brooklyn, New York, backyards are small and the pool is a perfect fit.”
The pool lining is made of a durable three-ply material that resists punctures and the steel frame is both strong and durable. There’s no doubt that attractive new patio furniture is an excellent way to refresh your outdoor intex swimming pool space. But for an upgrade that can keep you and your family active during the summer, your best bet is an above-ground swimming pool. Plus, they can add value to your home—particularly if you build a deck around yours.
To prolong the life of your above-ground pool, Dougher recommends investing in good quality maintenance tools (including a pole, vacuum head, brush, skimmer, and vacuum hose). Make sure to service the pool regularly (weekly and same day every week is ideal, Dougher says), and stay on top of skimming the pool if it tends to get a lot of debris (such as leaves) falling into it. Also, if the pool gets a leak, fix it quickly, as leaking pools are harder to maintain, says Dougher. Soft-sided pools have a vinyl bladder that serves as both the walls and liner. When the pool is filled, the water reinforces the structure of the pool, so the bladder doesn’t shift around while you’re swimming. Hard-sided pools have walls made of steel or resin with a separate vinyl liner.
The Summer Waves Elite Above-Ground Pool is our best round option because it’s an excellent value for the size. At 20 feet in diameter, this pool has a water capacity of 8,241 gallons and 48-inch walls, so there is plenty of room to cool off and splash around. We also like that it has a durable, rust-resistant steel and PVC frame, and triple-layer polyester walls.
Some inflatable pools only hold a few inches of water, others can be up four feet deep. Of course, no matter the depth, children should always be supervised when playing near water. Veronica and Michelle both researched a variety of models, keeping in mind each pick’s size, material, and water capacity. They also pored over owner manuals, how-to videos, and talked to pool owners about their experiences, needs, likes, and complaints.
When the fun is over, a flow-control drain valve provides a managed release of water. A PVC material makes up the walls and floor, and it has a three-ply PVC band around the base to provide extra support and prevent bulging. Even if you’re regularly testing and cleaning your water, it’s still a good idea to shock the pool each week. And unless you’re adding chlorine every single day, odds are your water can use the chlorine boost by the end of the week. Another option to consider when selecting an above ground pool is the height of the pool (pool wall). Pool walls vary in height and are available in 52 or 54 inches tall (wall height).
She also reached out to Kim Tokarski, Category Director, Pool and Spa Lifestyle Products at Leslie’s for additional insights. Keep your kids cool and happy all summer long thanks to the Intex Rainbow Ring Inflatable Play Center. We like that this colorful pool provides more than just a place to escape the heat. In addition to splashing in the wading pool, kids can go down the water slide, and play ring toss and other games. Attach a garden hose to the included water sprayer and kids can feel like they are at a fun spray park. This not only covers our brand name chemicals, but also our most popular swimming pool supplies.