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Above ground pools for dummies (part VIII): Post post scriptum

This post is part of the six-part series dedicated to above ground pools:

I intended to write this post in the beginning of the second season (summer of 2024) but ended up waiting for the season to be almost over. Here are several things I would like to share about taking the pool down for the winter storage, setting it up after winter, and using it for the second season.

STORAGE

Many above ground pool owners prefer to keep their pools staying all year long, while some take it apart for winter storage. Either option has pros and cons, but I chose to take the pool apart for a few reasons:

  • SITE FIXES: Because one corner of my pool was about an inch lower than the rest, I wanted to raise the ground under that corner a bit. I also wanted to reposition the leg support stones at a slight angle to prevent the problem I had with two leg support. So I needed the site cleared. (Unfortunately, even though I added a bit of crushed granite around the sinking corner, it did not help and the water level is still about an inch higher, so I am wondering if this is an issue with the liner. I will reassess the site again when I take the pool down again. On the positive side, the leg support blocks seem to work better and I had no leg liner rods bent this year.)
  • NO MAINTENANCE: Given that nobody uses the pool for over six months, I see no point of running the pump, cleaning the vacuum, dealing with winter rains, etc. Yes, it took me a couple of hours to take the pool apart and a couple of hours to assemble it for the next season, but I did not have to think about it for the six months, and even though it did cost me about $10-$20 to refill the pool with new water and another $150 for the new chemicals, it was still worth it.

For storing the pool parts, I bought a couple of sheds and used one I already had. The biggest items are the liner, legs, and the metal frame pieces. The main challenge was finding the shed long enough for the legs to fit. Even though I have a few issues with this product quality, the best option I found was Rubbermaid Outdoor Extra-Large Deck Box with Seat, Gray & Brown, 121 Gallon [sponsored link here and below]. The legs and the metal frame parts fit there perfectly and I put the ground cover, the solar cover and the pool cover between the metal parts to prevent scratching. I was also able to fit a few other things in the same box (vacuum, etc.). I also bought Rubbermaid 1887157 Resin Vertical Outdoor Shed, 5'x2' for extra parts, like the ladder and accessories.

And I used the top shelf of my Suncast 6 ft. x 3 ft. Resin Vertical Pent Storage Shed to store the liner (the liner was really heavy and hardly fit there folded, but it did).

DISASSEMBLY

Disassembling the pool was not hard. I drained most of the water using a hose connected to a drain plug. Then I used a cheap submersible water pump to drain the remainder and finally wiped everything with towels. I am glad I used talcum powder on the frame before I placed them in the liner because it made the removal step a lot easier. I also sprinkled a bit of talcum powder on the liner before folding it to prevent it from sticking.

I messed up, though: I forgot to back wash the pump before draining water from the pool, so I just drained the pump, removed the hoses, and covered all openings with the caps hoping for the best. I also messed up when I tried to clean the salt water chlorinator cells. Instead of just soaking them in vinegar, as the manual said, I tried to remove the deposits using a dull knife (not a smart idea, duh), so I scratched them in a few places. I did not notice any performance problems, though, but we will see if I did a permanent damage.

ASSEMBLY

Reassembling the pool for the second season was easy. I made two changes this time.

  • SOLAR COVER REEL: Over the winter, I found Intex 28051E Solar Cover Reel on sale, so installed it and put the solar cover on it. The reel made using the solar cover a lot easier but by the end of the season, I noticed that the cover is disintegrating:
    I am not sure if this is because I kept the solar cover mostly rolled or if it would do it regardless, so I need to do some research and figure out how to prevent it in future, but at this point, my solar cover is a goner.
  • SKIMMER: I bought and installed the Hayward SP1091LX Dyna-Skim Above-Ground Pool Skimmer. I dreaded event thinking about cutting through the liner, but I am glad I did because this skimmer works a lot better the over the frame mounted one I used last year. I purchased a couple of additional parts and hoses to allow the new skimmer work along with the existing skimmer lines, and it all worked very well:
    I only wish I places the skimmer about 1/2"-1" higher, so that the top cut were right under the top gray liner.
    I will do it next time.

USAGE

Everything else went pretty much the same as last year: I got the recommended set of chemicals at the local Leslie's Pool Supplies (for about the same cost), kept taking samples their every couple of weeks to make sure chemicals are balanced, cleaned the vacuum prefilter and the skimmer socks a couple of times per week, and enjoyed the summer waves.

PLANS

My plans for the upcoming winter would be to take the pool down for storage, leveling the ground a bit more in hopes to raise the corner, and place a few stepping stones around the perimeter to give the site a better look. Currently, the ground is covered with the weed fabric, but I think at this point I'm ready for a more finished look. So, that's what I am planning to do. God willing.

NEXT: SACRAMENTO COUNTY STRIKES BACK

PREVIOUS: ABOVE GROUND POOLS FOR DUMMIES (PART VII): POST SCRIPTUM

FIRST: INTRODUCTION

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Location: Sacramento, CA, USA

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