It’s possible, but there’s a lot to know before putting your above-ground pool in the ground. Backyard swimming pools are summertime joy but can be expensive. The average cost of a classic in-ground, concrete-lined swimming pool that’s 14x28 feet is $30,000 to $50,000. That can be a lot of bucks per splash. Above-ground pools are the much-less-expensive alternative. The average price of a circular,
18-foot above-ground pool is about $3,000, with larger, top-of-the-line pools costing $7,000 to $8,000, including installation. But in-ground pools have advantages, such as ease of entry, ease of maintenance and the fact that in-ground installations keep water temperatures more stable. Plus, they’re better looking. Which prompts the question: Is it OK to put an above-ground pool in the ground? The answer is yes, you can. But you need to be aware
of several factors that ensure your success — and satisfaction — for years to come. First, you’ll still need to dig a hole. Excavation of a hole big enough for an 18-foot round pool can cost $500 to $1,500 if your yard is easily accessible for heavy machinery and the soil isn’t problematic. Difficult sites and soil that’s full of rocks or other obstructions can drive excavation prices to $10,000 and more. Also, above-ground pools are put together on-site. That means the pool will be constructed inside the hole you’ve dug — and that means the hole needs to be larger than the pool so there’s room to work on the outer pool sides. The hole should include a 1½ to 2-foot margin all the way around so a worker has enough space to access all the pool components. During excavation, you’ll want to keep some of the excavated soil nearby
so you can backfill around the pool once it’s complete. But don’t backfill until you’ve filled the pool with water. Most above-ground pools aren’t designed to withstand pressure from the outside. If you backfill around an empty pool, you run the risk of the pool structure collapsing inward. We're sorry, there seems to be an issue playing this video. Please refresh the page or try again in a moment. If you
continue to have issues, please contact us here.Digging the Hole
Smart Backfilling
Plan for Safety
An above-ground swimming pool has a built-in measure of safety because the edge of the pool is high off the ground and out of reach of small children. A gated, lockable ladder adds an essential layer of safety. An in-ground pool, however, is more of a concern. Fencing off the pool completely is the best option for keeping your pool safe and secure, and many municipalities and local governments have mandatory fencing regulations. Depending on the size of the area you want to enclose, a fence costs $1,000 to $5,000. A gate is $300 — and make sure your gate has childproof locks.
The Partial In-Ground Option
Some pool installation professionals suggest putting an above-ground pool only halfway in the ground. Doing so reduces excavation costs and minimizes the risk of the pool collapsing inward if it needs to be drained. The pool surface is more accessible for cleaning duties, and any surrounding deck you build won’t be so high off the ground. You’ll still need to surround the pool area with a safety fence to prevent unwanted access to the pool.
Check the Warranty
Before you buy an above-ground unit with the intention of setting it in the ground, check the manufacturer’s warranty. The warranty may be voided if the pool is installed below grade.
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- Can You Partially Bury An Above Ground Pool?
Table of Contents
- Why should you bury an above ground pool?
- Save on pool construction costs
- Disadvantages of burying an above ground pool
- Depth limit
- Limited flexibility
- Is burying my above ground pool worth it?
Occasionally, above ground pool owners desire to invigorate their yard space by creating an inground pool. So, instead of getting rid of their pool, they can bury it to create space for the new pool. On the other hand, some pool owners desire to create extra yard space by burying their above ground pool. But is this possible? Well, yes, you can bury your above ground pool and construct an inground pool in that same space. Even so, only specific above ground pools can accommodate this. Some types of above ground pools cannot get buried in the ground. Consequently, before burying an above ground pool, confirm with your pool contractor whether it can get buried. Alternatively, you can look up this information in your manufacturers’ manual.
Why should you bury an above ground pool? #
Save on pool construction costs #
When you bury an above ground pool to install an inground pool, you’ll save on costs. We all know the massive construction costs that come with pools. The above ground pool minimizes the effort and costs required for excavation. But note that you will have to purchase a costly pool pump that will accommodate the inground pool.
Disadvantages of burying an above ground pool #
Depth limit #
When building an inground pool out of an above ground pool, you won’t incorporate your preferred pool depth. Remember, the above ground pool already has a certain depth. So, you’ll have to use the same depth for your inground pool. So, if you want a deep pool, you might have to create an inground pool from scratch. Nonetheless, always consult your pool contractor about this.
Limited flexibility #
Although it is less expensive, burying an above ground pool does not offer many customization options. You’ll have to create a pool design similar to the above ground pool. But nowadays, above ground pools also have attractive designs. If you desire to build an intricate pool design, it would be best to build a new inground pool.
Is burying my above ground pool worth it? #
Often, pool owners face a dilemma when it comes to burying their above ground pools. Well, analyze all your pool requirements and make your decision. It is convenient and cheap to create an in-ground pool out of an above ground pool. Nevertheless, if you want a custom pool, this might not be the way to go. Burying your above ground pool limits your pool design options. Also, it might create many pool issues for you in the long run. But always consult your pool contractor on the best way to go about this. You can save massive pool construction costs just by burying your above ground pool.
How Deep Can You Get An Above Ground Pool?