Above Ground Pool Resource Center

ABOVE GROUND POOL RESOURCE CENTER

Thank you for choosing American Sale for your new above ground pool! We are here for all your above ground pool questions! We've put together this helpful guide to assist you with your installation and to set the best expectations for what is to come. We appreciate your business and can't wait to help you Bring The Fun Home!

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VILLAGE PERMIT

Whenever you make changes to your property like an above ground pool installation, the question comes up, do I need a permit? The standard answer is that you should check with the building division of the town you live in. Most villages have their building requirements on their websites. Below are a few requirements:

  • Call J.U.L.I.E. BEFORE your pool is delivered to make sure there are no utilities that will interfere with the size of your pool.
  • Since a plot survey is usually not returned to the homeowner, a copy of the permit is fine. Draw the exact location of the pool on the survey.
  • A minimum fence of 5' tall with a locking gate that swings away from the pool must surround the yard. Another option is a minimum fence of 2' tall with a locking ladder surrounding the pool top is required.
  • Permits are required for all new and replacement pools. The owner of the property where the work is to be performed if responsible for filling the permit application.
  • Contractors are usually required to be licensed and bonded with the village before any work is started. Most contractors' license will expire after 1 year in which there may be times they will have to submit their information required by the village.
  • Proper electrical wiring to the filter is required and must be performed by a qualified electrician.
  • Click here to see a sample village permit.

Commonwealth Edison requirements:

  • Pool wall to be 5' from the underground electrical lines
  • 10' from overhead electrical service
  • 22.5' from primary property lines

CALL J.U.L.I.E.

Protect yourself and your family. State law requires you to notify J.U.L.I.E. at least two business days (excludes weekends and holidays) before any digging project regardless of the project size or depth. Even if you are digging in the same location as a previous project, notify J.U.L.I.E.. This is a free service.

https://www.illinois1call.com/ 


POOL DELIVERY

It is always best to have your pool delivered as soon as possible so you can be enjoying your pool faster. Installation schedules are based on delivery of the pool, not the date of purchase. Installers do not see work orders for customers until the entire pool order is delivered from our order system. Pools are delivered on a 4x4 pallet and can be easily stored in a garage or outdoor area. Remember it is ok if it rains, a pool can get wet.

POOL DELIVERED ON PALLET

(photo of how pool on pallet will be delivered)


FILLING POOL

We recommend using a standard garden hose to fill your pool. If your outdoor spicket runs through a softener, use the bypass feature to avoid adding soften water to the pool. It is more difficult to balance your water chemistry when water is run through a softener.

If you have hard water, use a pre-filter that attaches to your garden hose and filters out metals before they enter your pool. These can be found for around $30 - $40 at your local hardware store.

If you are on a well, a water truck may be used but the water truck company MUST use extreme caution. The amount of water pumped into the pool in a short amount of time can put a lot of stress on the new liner, especially in temperatures below 70°. If you do use a water truck, have at least 12" of water in the pool before the truck arrives. And make sure they run the water at a slower rate. Please note - Neither American Sale nor it's installers are responsible for liner damage due to water truck fills. 

Pool size chart in gallons

Oval Pool

Round Pool


BACK FILL & HAUL AWAY

Depending on how many inches of leveling you have, there will be excess dirt surrounding your pool. Once your pool is filled with water, it is the customer's responsibility to arrange for proper backfill around the pool (usually within the first 48 hours after pool is filled). It's recommended to use soil from the installation to backfill at least 3" up on the wall. You can bury up to 16" on your pool with black dirt. We recommend to avoid using landscaping rock around the perimeter of the pool. Decorative stone can cause damage to the finish and if for any reason the pool is drained, can collapse the wall.

  • Dirt and soil removal can be contracted separately with installer for a fee
  • Depending on pool size, several loads may be required for removal
  • Installers can provide alternatives to removal such as decorative landscape berms
  • Installers will often use a bobcat tractor to assist with digging and dirt haul away (please see photos below regarding common track marks)
  • We recommend contacting a professional landscaping company to assist you before the pool is installed so you can enjoy your yard and pool faster!
Pool Construction Site
 

ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS

All motors and pumps need to have proper 115V, 20 AMP GFCI service to the filter. All pumps use a 3’ NEMA L5-20R plus, commonly known as a “twist lock” safety plug. A qualified licensed electrician should perform ALL electrical work after the installation of the filter to ensure proper fit. Running a filter on extension cords will void your warranty. Do not run your filter on an extension cord. Doing so will void any warranties on the pump.

 

GUIDE TO WATER BONDING

WHAT IS WATER BONDING? Bonding is defined as “The practice of intentionally electrically connecting all exposed metallic items not designed to carry electricity in a room, building or outside structure as protection from electricity.“

Simply put, the primary purpose of bonding is to keep people and electricity separated. Stray currents (or electrical gradients) can occur in a swimming pool. With every metal component, the pool water and your body are all conductive and will carry electricity in the right situation. A bonded pool balances the electrical pressure and keeps all currents flowing outward into a bonding wire or grid where they are safely disbursed. A licensed electrician should be contracted after the installation to properly bond your pool. DO NOT attempt to do any electrical work if you are not a licensed electrician. 


BACKYARD ACCESS

It is common for installers to use machinery such as a bobcat tractor to assist with digging (especially if over 4") and there may be noticeable track marks in your yard. As they make passes back and forth, they will try to stay on the same path in order to reduce excessive yard damage. 

  • Installers will look for easiest route to the pool that will lessen the damage to landscaping. However, many passes are made to complete excavation during your pool install. 
  • We suggest raking black dirt over tire tracks and planting grass seed to repair any markings.

If you have any further questions regarding preparation for your installation, please contact our Pool Install Support team at PoolSupport@AmericanSale.com.