Moving an Above Ground Pool in Orlando

It may not be the case everywhere, but in Orlando and surrounding areas, not too many above-ground swimming pools get taken down and moved to be reinstalled.

During my 38 years of installing above-ground pools in Orlando, Orange County, and most of Central Florida, I have installed about 7 thousand pools. Out of them, maybe only a couple hundred were used pools that were moved from one location to another.

I do install a few used pools every year though and I do transport some of them from their original install spot to the new one.

WHAT IS NEEDED TO MOVE AN ABOVE-GROUND POOL IN ORLANDO

Some of the parts of an above-ground pool are bulky and can be very heavy, so don’t think you can transport one by yourself using the trunk of your Prius. The following basic things are needed to move an AG pool.

1 Pick-up truck or van

At the very least, a small pick-up is needed to move a pool. In some cases, two or more trips will be needed depending on the pool’s size, shape, and which accessories are going with it.

2 At least two people

The frame of the pool comes in pieces and one person can make several trips to stack them on the truck, but the pool’s wall is one piece, bulky, and very heavy. It will need two people to move.

Also, depending on which ladder or steps the pool has, you may need two people to move it. And if it has a sand-type filter, it will be hard to move and very heavy. Usually too heavy for just one person.

3 A hand truck or dolly

Again, this is needed to move the wall, pump and filter, and maybe the ladder/steps of the pool.

A hand truck will come in handy too for the leveling blocks and any patio stones that are going with the pool.

4 Duct tape or bungee cord

This is to keep the wall of the pool in a tight roll during transportation.

5 Ratchet straps and/or bungee cords

For securing and tying down the pool to the truck so nothing flies out during transport.

6 Organizational skills

Above-ground pools have a lot of parts both big and small. Just throwing everything in the back of the truck is a recipe for losing something along the journey.

Probably the biggest issue I have with re-installing an above-ground pool is that some parts are missing. And with an above-ground pool, you can’t just get a missing part at Home Depot.

They are ultra-specific to their model, so if something is missing, it almost always has to be ordered from the maker. Not good.

Also, the ladder/steps and pool equipment are bulky. Not organizing them in the truck for the journey (on I-4) can end badly.

7 For oval pools, a trailer

Oval above-ground pools have a lot more parts than round-shaped ones do including buttresses.

Buttresses have to be assembled when installing an above-ground pool, but they don’t have to be disassembled when re-installing a pool.

So, when moving an oval pool, you most likely want to keep the buttresses assembled for the trip. And they are big and bulky.

This is where having a trailer to move them comes into play. Most oval pools have around six buttresses, so not having a trailer can result in you having to make several trips.

And if the pool’s destination is say from Kissimmee to Winter Springs, then you’ll want to make the least amount of trips possible.

Of course, it would be great to have a trailer to move a round pool too.

8 A good place to store the pool (at the new location)

If you are moving an above-ground pool and planning to install it at a later date, make sure that you have a good storage place for it.

Just placing the used above-ground pool in the corner of the garage (with everything else) until you’re ready to put it up is a bad idea.

Pool parts just thrown together in a pile until an undetermined install date can very easily grow legs and walk, never to be found again.

COST TO HAVE AN ABOVE-GROUND POOL MOVED IN ORLANDO

In most cases, a pool guy like me is moving a pool along with taking it down and re-installing it at the new location. This will allow me to charge less for transportation because I’m making money taking it down and putting it back up.

I have only moved a pool before though. For that, the cost depends on the size of the pool and how far I have to take it.

Since I’m out of Orlando, if the pool that needs moving is somewhere within Orlando, like Pine Hills for example. And if it is a round pool that only needs to go a mile or two away, then it would cost about $200 for me to move it.

Now, If we are talking about a big oval that has to move from Clermont to Oviedo, then it could be $500 or more to move it (of course using my trailer in one trip).

NOTE: If I am taking down, re-installing the pool, or both, then the price to transport it would be less.

TYPICALLY, POOL DECKS WITH ABOVE GROUND POOLS DON’T GET MOVED

Here in Orlando, many above-ground pools have decks with them. Decks though are a completely different animal to take apart and move, so in most cases, the deck stays where it is.

Putting a New Unibead Liner in an Above Ground Pool in Orlando

Above-ground swimming pools can have three types of liners that go with them. In Orlando, most metal-walled above-ground pools will have a uni-bead type of liner in them.

WHAT IS A UNIBEAD-TYPE LINER?

With this name, the first part of the word “uni” is short for “universal”. So, its real name is “universal bead” type liner.

This isn’t the best name for this liner, but it’s what we all call it, so there you go.

Now, the reason it’s a “universal-type” liner is because this liner has a J-hook AND a bead attached to the top of it. So, if you want to attach this liner using a J-hook, then you simply hook the top of the liner to the top of the pool’s wall and it hangs down and into the pool.

If you have a bead channel that is on the top of the wall of the pool, then you can easily tear off the J-hook portion of the liner which will leave a bead (thick square of triangle of vinyl) that you can now feed into the pool’s bead receiver.

Yeah, I know. It’s confusing. The good news here is that this type of liner will work for any metal-walled above-ground pool, so if you get one of these, you are good.

DETERMINING WHICH TYPE OF LINER YOU HAVE NOW WITH YOUR ABOVE-GROUND POOL

In reality, if you purchase a uni-bead type liner for your pool, then it really doesn’t matter what type of liner is already on it. The unibead will work to replace existing overlap, J-hook, and beaded liners.

You will need to know the dimensions of your pool and its height though. And if your pool has a deep center/end deeper than one foot, then you will have to get a special liner for that.

NOTE: To measure the size of your pool, use the distance from the inside of the pool’s wall directly across to the inside of the opposite wall. Measuring the top rails will give you the wrong size.

A UNIBEAD TYPE LINER HAS A SPECIFIC HEIGHT

Above-ground swimming pools come with three different wall heights. And they are 48”, 52”, and 54”.

Measuring the actual height of your pool’s wall(only) will give you this number.

Caution: Just measuring from the ground up may not give you an accurate wall height. Most AG pools are buried a little, so dig down to find the bottom track of the pool to measure.

Also, you want to find the top of the wall for the measurement. Don’t just measure from the top rail down.

CHOOSE THE LINER HEIGHT THAT IS CLOSEST TO 48”,52”, OR 54”

The wall height usually isn’t exact, so go with the closest number. Example: If your wall height measures 51 1/2 inches, then choose a “52” inch unibead liner for it.

NOTE: A 52” UNIBEAD LINER WILL FIT ON A 54” POOL

Since 52” is currently the most popular height for above-ground pools, you may have a harder time finding a 54” one to your liking. If you have a 54” pool and can only find a 52” liner that you want, then buy it. It will fit just fine.

NOTE: 48” UNI-BEAD LINERS CAN BE HARDER TO FIND

48” tall above-ground pools used to be the most common. Not anymore. If you have a 48” walled pool, know that you may have a harder time finding a unibead liner for it. Sometimes you’ll have to wait a little longer to get it.

THE ADVANTAGES OF A UNIBEAD LINER

As a pool installer for now 38 years, I’m a big fan of the unibead/j-hook type liner over the others. Here’s why.

1 Looks better

Old school overlap liners can be seen on the outside of the wall of the pool. This is not ideal. And some overlap liners can be rolled up and hidden under the top rails, but some cannot.

2 You can have a tile pattern

Since there is no excess at the top of a unibead/jhook liner, it can have a tile pattern on it which makes the liner look better at the waterline.

Note: Beaded-type liners can have a tile pattern too. Overlaps cannot.

3 A unibead liner can be used in a pool with any existing type of liner

Not sure which type of existing liner you have? No problem. A uni-bead will fit (as long as you get the correct size).

4 A unibead doesn’t need coping strips

Overlap liners need plastic coping strips so they can be safely secured to the top of the pool’s wall. These coping strips are not needed with a unibead liner.

5 Unibead/j-hook liners go all the way over the pool’s wall

This is a big advantage over the beaded-type liner, which fits into a bead track on the INSIDE of the pool wall. And since the beaded liner doesn’t go all the way over the wall, this can allow pool water to splash between the liner and the inside of the pool’s wall. Not good.

Note: Overlap liners go over the wall too.

6 Unibead/j-hook liners are better for semi-inground pools

When an above-ground pool is in the ground some, you want to move the wall and pool frame as little as possible when taking apart, installing the liner, and re-assembling.

Overlap liners require you to move the pool wall and/or uprights some when changing the liner. This is not ideal if the pool has a potential for a cave-in.

Note: Beaded liners are ideal for semi-inground liner changes as they require the least amount of movement and disassembly. The problem with them is that they allow water to get in between the inside of the wall and the liner, which can cause rust.

7 Unibead liners are more likely to be upgraded and made in the US or Canada

As of right now, I cannot recommend a liner made from China. They just don’t last as long.

Although more and more liners from China are not uni-bead-type, most are still overlaps. Getting a unibead liner won’t ensure that the liner is made in North America anymore, so make very sure you know where it’s made.

I RECOMMEND A HEAVY GAUGE, FULLY PRINTED, UNIBEAD-TYPE LINER ABSOLUTELY MADE IN THE US OR CANADA

This kind of liner is worth the extra money because it will last longer.

WHERE TO BUY AN ABOVE-GROUND POOL LINER IN ORLANDO

Most purchase liners online, but there are a couple of local choices here in Orlando. If you buy locally, you will pay more, but if there is an issue, this will be an advantage over wherever it’s coming from online.

Unique Pool and Spas in Orlando have a limited selection of liners beyond what they carry for their own pool sales.

If you are wanting a liner today, call them. They also sell a really good liner. You’re gonna pay for it but it’s a good one.

Some Pinch-A-Penny stores will sell above-ground pool liners. A couple of Pinch-a-pennys will specialize in above grounds (like the one in Mount Dora).

Call the Pinch closest to you and see what they have and then what they can get. Also, PInch-A-Penny sells a pretty good liner too.

HERE’S MY PRICE SHEET FOR CHANGING YOUR LINER

Different Types of Ladders and Steps for Above Ground Pools in Orlando

With above-ground swimming pools, you get a few choices regarding how you can get in and out of them. These are called ladders or steps.

In Orlando, all types of steps and ladders for above-ground pools are popular.

LADDERS VERSUS STEPS FOR ABOVE-GROUND POOLS

When buying an AG pool as a package, it will always come with something that can get swimmers up and over the pool’s wall both going in the water and exiting it. In most cases, this will be a basic A-frame ladder.

A ladder for an above-ground pool is simply rungs that you step on that go up to the top of the pool’s wall, a small platform at the top, and then rungs that you step on to lower into the water inside the pool.

“Steps” for above-ground pools are a bit of an upgrade and usually have to be added to the pool package with an extra cost.

Steps for AG pools will be rungs going up to the top of the pool’s wall and are connected with a backing. The platforms of each rung (that you step on) are usually both longer and wider than just a ladder. After a small platform at the top of the pool’s wall, those same longer and wider platformed rungs go down and into the water of the pool.

As a general rule, pool steps are bigger, safer, and cost more than pool ladders.

THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF LADDERS AND STEPS FOR ABOVE-GROUND POOLS

A A-frame ladder

This is the standard and most common type of pool ladder. It simply has rungs outside of the pool from the ground going up, a small platform that sits on the pool’s top rail, and then rungs going down into the water all the way to the bottom.

This ladder makes an “A” shape and that’s why it’s called an a-frame ladder.

B In-pool only or deck ladder

This ladder only has a small platform that sits on a top rail of the pool, and then has rungs that go into the water inside to the pool’s bottom.

With this type of ladder, you need to have a deck outside of the pool for top entry.

C Pool steps

Just like a staircase, actual steps (not just thin rungs) will go up from the ground outside of the pool to a top platform that sits over the pool’s top rail, then steps will continue down into the water all the way to the floor of the pool.

Full pool steps going from ground to pool bottom are the biggest and usually the most expensive option for getting into an above-ground pool.

D Ladder/steps combo

With this, you have a ladder on the outside of the pool with rungs going from the ground up to a small platform at the top. And steps continue into the water going to the pool’s bottom.

E In-pool steps only

Just like the in-pool ladder, this only has steps going into the water of the pool and nothing outside.

This type of pool steps require a deck attached to the outside of the pool for top entry.

F In-pool wedding cake steps

Only inside of the pool, it starts with the first step being small, then each step gets longer with more area as they go down into the pool. The longer steps wrap around making half-circle shapes getting bigger as they get deeper.

With small to bigger steps going from top to bottom, these pool steps look like a multi-layered wedding cake.

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT STEPS AND LADDERS FOR ABOVE-GROUND POOLS

1 All ladders for above-ground pools are safety ladders

Any ladders (or steps) for above-ground pools with an outside portion (not in-pool only) MUST be safety ladders.

This means that the rungs are made to lock upward or shielded in some way so they cannot be climbed when secured.

For most of the less expensive ladders, the rungs are designed to be lifted upward and locked in place so kids (and dogs) cannot climb up them.

Safety ladders are not as important closer to downtown Orlando as most homes will have fenced-in backyards. When you go further out and into the Central Florida country, there are fewer yards that are fenced.

2 Steps and ladders have weight ratings

America is known for having some pretty big people. And Orlando is no exception to that. Most pool ladders/steps can handle a fair amount of user weight, but bigger people may need more support.

Standard a-frame ladders for above-ground pools will have a weight limit or rating of 300lbs or 350lbs and some upgraded ladders will go to over 400 pounds.

Steps typically support more weight than ladders. Most steps support from 400 lbs all the way to 600 lbs depending on the model and cost.

NOTE: Some need the maximum weight and size for getting into the pool. For this, I recommend building a permanent outside step and deck structure from wood or concrete.

Wood steps built for a semi-inground above ground pool

3 Steps and ladders have to be assembled

With the exception of some wedding cake-type steps (which are all one piece), both steps and ladders come in parts and have to be assembled.

NOTE: Professional pool installers will NOT assemble or install pool ladders. This is where many slip and get injured, so no one will take that responsibility.

4 You can put the ladder/steps anywhere around the pool that you want.

No one area of an above-ground pool is better than the other for where you put the ladder. So. Set the ladder/steps in a good spot for traffic from the house or deck to the pool.

5 Most steps and ladders have to be bolted to the top of the pool or deck

For nice stability, it’s usually a good idea to bolt the top platform of the ladder to a pool top rail. And if you have a deck, screwing the in-pool ladder supports to the deck is needed.

TIP: Make very sure that you bolt or screw the ladder/steps down using only stainless steel bolts/screws. Everything else may rust badly and not be able to come apart when it’s time to change the liner.

6 Install the ladder/steps when the pool is at least half full of water

Most ladders go in when the pool is being installed. You want to wait for the pool to have enough water in it so the liner is set well and has a lot of water weight at the bottom BEFORE placing the inside ladder/steps on the pool’s floor.

7 Ladders/steps have to be weighted down

The part of the ladder or steps sitting in the water of the pool will want to float. This is not good as you want the steps/ladder to be very stable and not move.

People use all kinds of things to weigh down their steps. I am a fan of using pieces of sand-filled and capped PVC pipes and attaching them with zip ties.

8 Some steps/ladders will have handrails. Some will not.

Take an inventory of the elderly or immobile pool users that you may have with your pool. You may want to get a ladder or steps with one or two handrails to help people get in and out of the pool.

Tip: For extremely immobile pool users, I recommend having a wood ladder and deck built for accessing the pool. With this, you can make the entry as big, wide, and stable as is needed.

It will cost more, but someone who is not comfortable with getting into a pool probably won’t bother getting in, even if they really need to.

Above Ground Pools and Decks in Orlando

In Orlando, there are a lot of above-ground swimming pools with decks. It’s just natural to have someplace to hang out near the water’s edge.

With such a hot climate, Central Florida is the second-largest pool market in the US. And along with swimming pools come decks.

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN HAVING A DECK WITH AN ABOVE-GROUND POOL IN ORLANDO

If you are either looking at an existing above-ground pool with a deck OR planning on building a deck with your pool, consider the following.

1 What height do you want the deck to be

Since above-ground pools are mostly above the ground (Duh), you want to decide what height that you want the deck to be.

Decks built high next to the pool

In nature, water is almost always at our feet. This is why most will have the deck built high against their above-ground pool. Being able to see the water unobstructed while sitting on your pool deck or grilling, etc. feels nice and natural.

Being able to watch swimmer’s activity along with keeping a good eye on small children is another top reason to build the deck up high.

The biggest negative to building a deck high against an AG pool is a loss of privacy. Activity on high decks can easily be seen by neighbors adjacent to the yard.

Note: When building a deck high against an above-ground pool, keep in mind that the pool’s liner will have to be changed in the future. Liner changeouts require the top of the pool to come apart, so make sure the deck doesn’t get in the way of that.

I recommend the deck built at the level right below the pool’s top rails. With this height, the deck boards end under the top rails (so they don’t have to line up perfectly) and you can take the top of the pool apart easier for liner changes.

Decks built at ground level

Many decks in Orlando are built at ground level next to an above-ground pool. The advantages here are better privacy, more options on what it is made of, and safety.

Ground-level decks can be built from wood, composite, pavers, or poured concrete, while higher decks can only be made with wood or wood composite.

2 How big do you want the deck?

In general, most want a deck to be as big as they can fit and afford. With above-ground pools though, some are thinking that the deck will be temporary (along with the pool), so they want something smaller.

Questions to answer to help determine how big of a deck you want.

A How many people will be on the deck at one time?

Two people need a smaller deck than four do. Decide how many kids, adults, and animals will be occupying the deck at one time.

B What will be permanently going on the deck?

If you are thinking of two lounge chairs, a small table, a couple of regular chairs, a grill, and a pool toy storage box, know that you are going to need a certain-sized deck to hold all of that.

C What will you be using the deck for?

Some just want a deck only big enough to climb up to and access the pool with. Some will want to have parties on their pool deck. Others may want a deck to lay out in the sun with only.

Determining what the deck will be used for will help you decide how big it has to be.

3 What is your deck budget?

Having a pool deck is nice. It’s also expensive to build.

In many cases in Orlando, people are deciding to get an above-ground pool instead of an inground because they have a smaller pool budget.

The cost of an above-ground swimming pool package and its installation is one thing, but when you add the cost of a nice deck along with it, you can get to a big number in a hurry.

To be financially responsible, it’s best to have a cost limit for your pool deck beforehand. You may have 5k into your pool and install, and then discover that the deck you want is two or three times what the pool cost.

Knowing how much you have to spend on the deck beforehand will help you not get depressed or spend more than you wanted to for the overall pool project.

4 What is the deck made of?

Most above-ground pool decks here in Orlando are made of pressure-treated wood. This is mainly due to cost and the fact that most AG pool decks in Orange County, Florida are built high against the pool.

Using a wood composite material is a nicer but more expensive option for high AG decks. And when I say “more expensive”, I mean a lot more expensive than PT wood.

For lower decks, most go with pavers as they look better and last a long time. Poured concrete decks are very nice too. And I’ve also seen a lot of ground-level decks built with composite or pressure-treated wood as well.

In Orlando, there aren’t many contractors that will build wood decks, but they are out there. Most can find a deck guy in the Orlando, Spacecoast, or Lakeland Graigslist. Some also will do a local Google search to find a deck guy.

While the Orlando area has its fair share of concrete companies to pour decks, it has an. Unusually high number of paver installers. This is mainly because of the large Brazilian population in Orlando.

So, Finding a paver installation company will be the easiest to find in O-Town.

5 The safety of the deck

While some just build a platform deck high next to their AG pool, others will consider the safety of it by building a railing around it.

Railing or fencing with a deck is nice and can make the overall project look a lot better, but it will cost you. Also, building a railing that will prevent small children from going through will cost more as it requires more materials to build.

And with safety in mind, most will attach a gate to the steps of their high deck for above-ground pools. This will be lockable and prevent kids and animals from entering the deck.

6 The look of your (high) deck

Decks built high against above-ground pools can look ugly to some. Consider this when having one built. Some will choose to add lattice work to the outside of the deck.

And having more attractive railing added to the deck can make it look much better.

Consider adding landscaping around the deck too so it looks better in the yard.

7 Deck maintenance

The direct Orlando sun is really hard on everything. Wood decks are no exception to this. Keeping your wood deck clean, dry, and possibly regularly stained will help it last a much longer time.

USE Quality deck screws – When building a wood deck, few are thinking that the boards may have to come off one day (for one reason or another).

Sometimes with an above-ground pool deck, some of the boards may have to come off. And if they do, you better have used good deck screws when it was built. Sub-standard deck screws will rust or get brittle and break off when trying to unscrew.

Decks attached with quality screws will come apart easily, so spend the extra few bucks for good screws. I recommend spending even more for stainless steel decking screws.

Installing an Oval Above Ground Pool in Orlando

Oval above-ground swimming pools aren’t easy to install. And in Orlando, there aren’t many installers with a lot of experience with them.

Although somewhat popular with wanting one in the greater Orlando area, oval-shaped AG pools are much fewer in number than round pools.

DURING THE SUMMER IN ORLANDO, GETTING AN INSTALLER FOR AN OVAL MAY BE TOUGH

Above-ground pool installers get very busy during the hot months in Orlando, which is typically about 8 months out of the year. And with round-shaped pools being easier to assemble, installers will choose to do those over ovals when busy.

DIY INSTALLATION OF AN OVAL ABOVE-GROUND POOL IN ORLANDO WON’T BE EASY

In many cases, pool owners choose to self-install their metal-walled oval pool. This is either to save the higher cost of having one installed OR they can’t find anyone in the Central Florida area to do it.

This will be a difficult DIY project for anyone regardless of construction experience. Especially if attempted during the hot summer.

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT INSTALLING AN OVAL ABOVE-GROUND POOL IN ORLANDO

1 Engineering is not great

With now 37 years of pool installation experience, I can tell you that oval pools are not at all designed or engineered well.

It’s important to know this if you are self-installing one OR paying someone to install one. No part of an oval will go together perfectly and often they won’t look perfect when done regardless of who installs it.

2 Ovals have buttresses

You may buy an oval model that says “buttress-free” or “yardmore” in the description. But if the shape of the pool has straight sides, then it must have buttresses.

And buttresses take more space in the yard and have to be assembled.

3 The buttress structure goes in the ground some

If DIYing, don’t spend a lot of time smoothing out your earth before setting your bottom track. The buttresses usually have to be recessed some in the ground, so all of that work you do leveling and smoothing out the area will be a waste of a step.

4 Ovals can take more than a day to have installed

During the hot summer of Orlando, everything done outside (especially in direct sunlight) will take more time to do.

Although an experienced installation crew can usually get an oval done in a day, they may run into an issue and decide to finish it up the next day.

Do-it-yourselfers can expect to spend a few days installing an oval pool. Especially in the summer.

5 Semi-inground ovals need a bigger hole

15x26 Oval above ground pool semi-inground — This oval’s buttresses stuck out about 18″, so it needed a wider hole

Ovals have buttresses that stick out some on the straight sides of the pool. So, when installing an oval in a hole, extra space is needed to set and level these buttresses.

Finding out how far your model of oval buttresses stick out beyond the pool’s wall will allow you to dig the correct-sized hole for installation.

Depending on the model, buttresses can protrude out from the pool wall eight inches to three feet, three inches. This is a wide variation so it’s best to know before digging the hole.

NOTE: Most upgraded oval models for Wilbar pools need one foot, seven inches beyond the wall of the pool.

6 Ovals are easier to keep the wall up during the installation

One of the trickiest parts of installing an above-ground pool is rolling out and erecting the wall of the pool. Since oval-shaped pools have buttresses, they are already set in place and assembled together when the wall goes up.

So, when rolling out the wall in place, it can be secured well to the buttresses which will help it from falling down before you get it bolted together and completed.

7 Some will use extra sand

Since Orlando and Central Florida have mostly sand-based earth, additional sand is usually not recommended or required for an above-ground pool installation.

Since ovals have buttresses that are buried some in the ground, some will elect to have some extra sand to spread on top of the buttress structure and its water plates.

8 I recommend a liner guard with an oval-shaped pool

Since some metal parts lay directly underneath the floor of an oval pool, I recommend putting down a liner guard just in case something happens later with the pool’s floor.

A liner guard/pad isn’t much really, but it is a piece of cloth that can protect the liner from any of those metal parts if the earth between them and the liner moves or wash away.

Installing an Overlap-Type Liner for an Above Ground Pool in Orlando

Overlap-type liners are considered the “old type” of liner, but some still use them for their above-ground pools in Orlando.

With being an above-ground pool installer for 38 years, I remember when there were only overlap type liners for above grounds. Then the uni-bead and J-hook type came out and all but completely replaced the inferior overlap type.

Overlap liners would’ve drifted completely away (for standard above-ground pools) like the CD player, but Doughboy’s slow to grow with the times kept the overlap in play. They too eventually went almost entirely with unibead/j-hook types.

Overlaps have made a bit of a comeback though. This is because online retailers like Linerworld started selling a lot of liners made in China. And in the early years of China making liners for above-ground pools, they only made overlap-types

I’m not a fan of overlap-type liners to begin with, but with the market getting a bunch of these cheaply-made Chinese overlap-type liners that would only last a year or two, I was especially annoyed.

Chinese-made liners have gotten a little better over the years, but I still never recommend getting one as they don’t last nearly as long as one made in North America.

5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT INSTALLING AN OVERLAP-TYPE LINER IN ORLANDO

1 Overlap liners need coping strips

This type of liner is set on the inside of the pool and then the excess of liner is pulled over the wall and hangs over the outside. This is why it’s called an “overlap” liner.

The part of the liner that hangs over the top of the wall must be secured by long plastic strips called “coping strips”.

Coping strips can dry out and get brittle. When that happens, you will need new strips when replacing an overlap liner.

NOTE: You will not find coping strips for sale in Orlando. You will have to order them online.

2 Overlap liners can be used for 48”,52”, and 54” height walls

A standard overlap liner made in the US or Canada will have 60 inches (or five feet) of material that makes up the sides of the liner. (Chinese-made overlaps can have less)

This means that you can use the same liner for all above-ground pool wall heights.

3 If the liner has a pattern, you should make it consistent at the top

Since an overlap liner is adjustable (how much excess liner can go over the wall), if it has a pattern, then the liner should go over the wall the same amount all the way around the pool.

By doing this, the pattern in the liner will be consistent with the waterline when you fill the pool.

NOTE: If the pool was poorly installed and severely out of shape (exp. egg-shaped instead of round), then you may not be able to have a consistent liner pattern at the waterline.

4 You will see the liner on the outside wall of the pool

Since overlap-type liners are designed for its excess wall material to hang over the wall, you will see it on the outside hanging behind the uprights.

Depending on the model of the pool, you can roll the excess liner up and hide it under the top rails. Not all models will have room for that though.

5 Overlap-type liners are not ideal for semi-inground pools

If your pool is partially in the ground, then overlap liners are not recommended.

WHY? Because overlap liners require you to have more space between the top of the wall and the pool’s uprights. And when a pool is buried some, the uprights push tightly against the wall (because they are buried in the ground) and cannot move outward.

Also, since there is always a potential for a cave-in (outside earth pushing the wall inward) during a liner changeout of a semi-inground pool, you want to move the wall as little as possible and not disturb its position.

Orlando Above Ground Pool Installations

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