Installing Pool In Ground

by Jennifer

We are thinking of installing an above-ground pool in ground. I have researched this quite a bit on the internet and it seems you have the most information so hoping you can help me.

Are all steel-walled pools suitable to be buried? Is there one you recommend over the others? we have been to our local Doughboy dealer and they said the only one they recommend was what was called the Palm Shore.

We are looking to do a 27 ft round pool. Are there other Doughboy pools suitable for burying? Or other brands you recommend?

Hi Jennifer Any steel wall above ground pool can be set in the ground. I do not know of any that are better than others.

I really like Doughboy pools but not because they are better to set in ground.

There are a few things to keep in mind when sinking an above ground pool. Always keep the water higher than the dirt surrounding the pool. You are best off if you have at least a foot of water above ground level.

Cave-ins are the biggest problem with pools set in ground. You will always need to keep the pool full and be sure to back fill with something that will pack solid, like dirt.

You may also want to coat the outside pool wall with something like roofing tar, a lot of people do that, just before back filling with dirt.

Pool In Ground

Need to find bottom rails for a 15x30 Muskin pool. Can you help me? Also wanting to put my above ground pool in ground 3 to 4 feet. I know you said this was possible, but is it possible in Florida where it is all sand and nothing packs, and then we have the water table at around 4 feet. Thanks for all your help and sharing your knowledge to make a great website!!

Hi. I can not help you with the bottom rails. Your local pool dealers might have some parts you could buy. Another option is to buy a used pool like the one you have and use the best parts from both. Used pools can sometimes be found very cheap.

Sinking a pool in the ground is fine but I would stay a foot or so off that water table. I would also not backfill with sandy soil. If you can find some type of crushed rock from a sand and rock company that might work. You could also build a retaining wall around the pool and not backfill at all.

At some point you will need to drain the pool to change a liner and the walls will cave in if the backfill is not compacted.

Pages related to Pool In Ground

Above Ground Pool Installation

Above Ground Pool Installation Tips

Buying An Above Ground Pool to Install In Ground

by Jessica
(Michigan)

My husband and I are considering buying a used above ground pool, but we would like to put it in ground about 2-3 ft.

We've never owned a pool before, can we install any above ground pool underground? We are looking at an 8 year old 15x30 Esther Williams pool, I would think aluminum would last longer than steel, but I've heard doughboy pools can all go inground.

I would just worry about putting an older (6-8 year old) steel pool inground not lasting too long. My husband also wants to put a drain at the bottom, can you still do this with a partial inground?

We live in Michigan, metro Detroit area, so it can get pretty cold here in the winter, does that matter when putting an above ground pool inground?

Also, how hard is to change the liner down the road when the pool is 2-3 ft inground?

Thanks a lot! Jessica

Hi Jessica. Any steel, or aluminum, wall above ground pool can be installed in ground. The pool needs to be installed as if it were on top of the ground. It needs to fill with water before any dirt is back filled around it. It is the water that keeps the pool from collapsing under the weight of the dirt.

I recommend at least a foot of water above ground level. This goes a long way to prevent cave-ins.

I would coat the wall with roofing tar before back-filling, this helps to prevent future rust.

Local pool stores, and possibly neighbors, will be able to help out more with any special precautions with regards to your extreme weather. We don't have those extremes here in Arizona.

A center drain would not be a problem, either above ground or in ground.

Johny Weissmuller Pool Installed In Ground

by Mario
(Warwick, RI USA)

Good Afternoon, my question is regarding if i could put a 27' round Johny Weissmuller pool in the ground 12" all around the perimeter and backfill it with screened loam? Thanks and just want to say your site is very helpful.

Mario from Rhode Island

Hi Mario. I see no reason why you could not install your above ground pool in the ground about 12".

When digging the area be sure to dig extra big. I like to have a minimum of two foot of working room all around the pool. That makes installation so much easier.

I would also fill the pool completely before back filling. Get the filter running and make sure there are no leaks anywhere. Once you back fill a leak is much harder to detect.