Frequently Asked Questions

Unless otherwise noted, the base kit for all of our Above Ground Pools includes:

• All components to build the swimming pool including hardware and instructions.
• A standard, solid blue overlap liner. (upgrade optional)
• The skimmer kit that is compatible with your pool.  (standard, widemouth or custom for "Jumbo" pool)

Your customizable add-on items to complete your swimming pool are:

• Filter Systems:  your choice of Sand or Cartridge filter with appropriate pump.
• Ladder & Steps:  your choice of entry system depending on your needs.
• Liner:  various options for upgraded liners including patterned, uni-bead & expandable.
• Generators:  we offer various options for salt chlorine, ionizers and ozone generators.
• There are a ton of options to further customize your dream pool package including fencing, pool lighting, automatic cleaners, heaters, pool protection, covers, winterizing accessories, connect-a-decks and more.

Some of our pools include a bundle or package of equipment with them.  The items that are included in those pools are listed on the product page.  

Our Above Ground Swimming Pools are labeled as "Salt" Pools if they are compatible with a salt water system.  The base package does not come with a Salt/Chlorine Generator but you have the option of adding on the system of your choice when customizing your package.  See below to learn more about the differences in pool materials/construction.

Steel Pools

Classic Steel Above Ground Pools have been the industry standard for many years.

All components are constructed of a premium grade steel.  This creates a very strong and stable swimming pool that is able to withstand the pressure of the water in your pool.

They are designed to distribute the weight of the pool water evenly and will last for years.

Resin Salt Pools

Resin Salt Pools are a step above the standard all steel above ground pool.  The components are manufactured with a top grade resin that is resistant to corrosion and has a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

A Resin Salt Pool is compatible with a Salt Water System although you are able to use a traditional chlorine system, ionizers or an ozone system as well.  You can choose from a few different generator options on our site.

Your Resin Salt Pool will come with resin uprights, top & bottom track, top seats and caps.  The wall of all of our above ground pools is premium steel manufactured with a protective coating.

Hybrid Pools

Hybrid Pools are a combination of steel and resin components.

There are different combinations depending on the swimming pool you choose.

For example:  Our Freedom Pools come standard with resin uprights, top seats and caps in combination with steel top and bottom rails. (We offer the option of upgrading these to all resin for this pool).

Resin Guard pools are also considered a hybrid pool.  The frame is made up of resin & steel components.

Above Ground Pools are made up of a Premium Steel Wall and other components that can be made of steel or resin such as the uprights, top seats, caps and top & bottom rails/track.  See the image below for a diagram of an above ground swimming pool.  Some of our above ground pools are made with a premium aluminum wall.  Those pools are described accordingly in the product description.

Overlap Pool Liners

A standard solid blue overlap liner is included with all of our pool packages.  

These liners overlap your swimming pool wall and are held in place with coping strips, which are also included in your pool purchase.

We also offer various patterned overlap liners for most of our pool packages.  You have the option to upgrade the liner in your package.

Overlap liners fit above ground pool side walls 48", 52", or 54".

Uni-Bead Pool Liners

Unibead liners are installed in two ways:

1.  They can be hooked over your pool wall.

2. They can be used with a bead receiver (sold separately).

The advantage of using a uni-bead liner in combination with a bead receiver is that you can change out your liner without removing the top seats or dissembling your pool.  For example, if you install a deck around your pool, this method will make it much easier to change out your liner.

Expandable Pool Liners

Expandable, overlap liners are able to increase the depth of your pool up to 72 inches.  

For Above Ground Pools 48-54"

Our Filter Systems come complete with an appropriate sized pump and all hoses and connection fittings.

Sand Filter Systems

Sand Filters trap dirt and debris from your pool with sand.  The larger the Sand Filter, the less often you will have to clean it out.  

Sand Filters require backwashing to clean.  This reverses the flow of water, flushes the sand and then drains out the dirty water via a waste line.

Cartridge Filter Systems

Cartridge Filters use an internal filter cartridge to trap dirt and debris in your pool water.  

Backwashing is not required for this type of pool filter.  You simply remove and rinse out the cartridge, replacing it as necessary.

This is a great, low maintenance option for above ground swimming pools.

Additional pool protection options are a great way to extend the life of your pool, especially the liner.  

Liner Floor Pad

Our Gorilla Floor padding is impervious to almost any sharp object.

It is cut to size and seamed for your pool.  The pool floor pad is installed on top of the sand bed under your pool. 

Choosing this extra layer of protection will virtually eliminate vinyl liner bottom leaks.

Pool Cove

Our easy to install, peel and stick pool cove eliminates stress at the seams of your pool liner.

Pool Cove is placed around the bottom, inside circumference of your pool wall before installing your liner.

The use of Pool Cove will help to prevent excessive stretching and premature wearing, adding years to the life of your new liner.

Wall Foam

Our 1/8" Wall Foam padding helps prevent rust, corrosion and other wall degradation from punctures in your liner. 

Wall Foam also helps to insulate your pool keeping the water warmer and energy costs down.

Be sure to also order our Spray Adhesive to easily install the wall foam between the pool wall and liner.

Salt Systems

Salt Water Systems are a great way to save money on chlorine.  Our Salt Generators use pool salt in your water to produce chlorine which cleans your pool.

A 10,000 gallon swimming pool will require 267 lbs. of pool salt to start the system.

Salt water systems should only be used in pools graded for salt water use.  These are usually made of resin components that are resistant to the corrosive effects of salt water.

Our collection of above ground swimming pools are labeled "Salt" pools if they are compatible with this system.

Ionizer Systems

Ionizer Systems use minerals such as silver, copper, zinc and others to keep the water in your swimming pool clean and clear all season long.  

Ionizers greatly reduce the need for chlorine and other harsh chemicals, which also saves you money.  

You will need to replace the internal cell every 1-2 years depending on your pool size and usage.

Ionizers can be used in any type of above ground pool.  There are no worries about damaging your swimming pool components or corrosion over time as there may be with salt water systems.

The best Ionizer Systems use a combination of Silver and Zinc.

Ozone Generators

Ozone Generators allow for a completely chlorine free swimming pool.  

Dynamic Oxygen is able to oxidize bacteria, algae and viruses in the pool and plumbing.  

Add 1 lb. of Formula "O" to your pool per 10,000 gallons of water per week.  Because the formula contains no chlorine, you can swim within minutes of dosing your pool.

Ozone Generators can be used in any type of above ground pool.  It does not impact the water's PH level and does not cause corrosion and rust.

Receiving a Freight Delivery is very different than getting a package in the mail and special care must be taken.  You will receive our Shipping Agreement via email after placing your order.  You must read and sign the document as soon as possible.  Failure to sign the agreement will result in delaying your order.  You can preview this document before placing your order HERE.

We want you to receive your delivery complete and intact, but occasionally mistakes or accidents can occur.  In order to resolve any issues as quickly as possible, it is very important that you follow the steps and instructions detailed in the shipping agreement.

Whether your package is delivered to your home, business or you pick it up at a terminal - you must inspect the packaging for any visual damage and note that on your receipt from the freight company BEFORE signing.  Your signature indicates that everything has arrived intact.  Take pictures of the damage as well.  This will aid in any claim Pool Nation may have to take with the freight company.

Inventory the boxes against the packing slip you will receive.  If you are missing a packing slip or it has been damaged for any reason, please contact us by email or phone.  We will send you a new one.  Let us know of any missing items or boxes as quickly as possible.

In most cases, the freight company can deliver to your residence.  They will use a truck with a lift gate to place the pallet of boxes onto the ground.  

There are some cases where the freight company cannot deliver to your residence.  No freight carriers will deliver to the following:

• Dirt or Gravel Roads
• Down Driveways
• Dead End Streets

If you think the freight company will have difficulty delivering to your house, let us know when you place your order.  We can arrange for you to pick up your package at the closest terminal.  Please note you will need a truck, van or larger SUV to haul the items back to your home.

Pool Nation USA ships to the continental United States only at this time.

Lift Gate Service makes receiving your pool package much easier.  Your pool order will be made up of various boxes wrapped on a pallet.  A special truck will deliver your pool and be able to place the pallet on the ground for you.  

This is a required $49.99 fee on all pool package orders and is added to your total at checkout.

Please contact us if you think your home is in an area or on a road that a delivery truck cannot access.  We can help make alternate arrangements for you to receive your pool.

We strive to ship all of our Pool Packages as quickly as possible.  Our in-stock pools are usually able to ship out within 10 business days.  You will receive a tracking number when your order is confirmed as on the truck.

Some of our pools are marked on our website with the expected time window to ship out.  This is our best estimate and we will contact you with any updates during this time.

Our packages are shipped via various freight carriers.  When your package gets close to your delivery address, the freight company will contact you to schedule a date and time window for delivery.  You need to have an adult present to receive the shipment.

Always check the exterior of your package and note any visible damage.  Be sure to use the enclosed packing slip to inventory the boxes and let us know of any missing items right away.  

Before you purchase your swimming pool, you should research whether your city or township requires a building permit.

It is a common requirement in many areas and the process can differ greatly depending on where you live.

If you'd like to order your swimming pool now to reserve it, but need us to hold off on shipping it until your permit is approved, please let us know at the time of your purchase.

Your Connect-a-Deck ships separately from a pool package.

Lumber is delivered from a supplier local to you. You will not receive a tracking number for the Connect-a-Deck from Pool Nation USA. The supplier will inform you when the lumber is being delivered. You do not need to be home to receive this delivery.

All hardware and detailed instructions are mailed in a separate package. You should receive this within about 5-7 days of receiving the lumber delivery.

As described in the Shipping Agreement, it is the customer's responsibility to inspect the pallet of boxes when they arrive and BEFORE signing for the delivery.  You MUST note any visual damage on the delivery slip.  Otherwise, your signature indicates that everything has arrived intact.  

If an item was damaged during shipping, but you did not indicate that on the delivery slip, there is very little Pool Nation USA can do to recoup the damaged item.  Please read through the entire shipping agreement as well as the delivery receipt you are presented with from the freight company.  

If you notice damaged boxes, please write "visual damage" before signing for the order and take pictures of the damage.  Let us know as soon as possible so we can make a claim with the freight company and get you replacement parts/equipment.

You can create a Layaway Plan for any of our above ground swimming pools.  Just add your pool and choice of equipment and accessories to your cart and choose layaway at checkout.

Your pool package will ship out to you after all payment installments have been made.  

Some pools are not available to ship out until a certain date.  That information is displayed above the pool title on the product page.

Pool Nation also accepts Shop Pay Installments for customers who have a Shop Pay account.  We do not determine approval or any rates/fees associated with Shop Pay Installments.  To learn more about this option click here.

All canceled orders are subject to a 5% credit card transaction fee as well as the below policies.

Freight Orders include: Swimming Pools, Pool Heaters & Decks.  These items are too large and heavy to be shipped via FedEx.

• Freight Items that have not yet Shipped:
  
  A $300 restocking fee is applied to all swimming pool, pool heater and deck orders.  Please let us know as soon as you decide to cancel your order.  Do not consider your order canceled until you have confirmed it with Pool Nation USA,  If your order has already been prepared to ship, further charges apply (see below).  
• Freight Items that have Shipped:
  
  Once your order leaves our warehouse, there is no way for us to stop the delivery.  The shipping fees have already been paid and it cannot be reversed.  If you refuse the package once it arrives, the pool will be returned to us and you will be responsible for the shipping costs to and from our warehouse as well as a 30% restocking fee.
  
  In the case that your order has already been prepared to ship (pulled, assembled on the pallet and shrink wrapped with freight pickup ordered), but has not left our warehouse yet:  We may or may not be able to stop the shipment from leaving our warehouse.  If we are able to stop the shipment from going out, you will not be responsible for any return shipping costs, but the 30% restocking fee & 5% credit card transaction fee still applies.  
  
  Read more about our cancellation and refund policy HERE.
• Layaway Orders:
  
  All layaway orders are subject to a 30% restocking fee applied to the amount of the plan that has been paid to date.

https://www.poolnationusa.com/policies/refund-policy