Above Ground Pools: Average Lifespan & Whether or Not They’re Worth It

Is an above ground pool worth the investment?

Co-authored by Oz Tzalalihin and Ali Garbacz

Last Updated: March 11, 2023 References

Above ground pools can seem like a great investment if you want to beat the summer heat, but just how much use will you actually get out of them? This article “dives” into everything you need to know about the lifespan of your above ground pool and will provide you with all types of tips about caring for your pool so you can have as much backyard fun as possible.

Section 1 of 4:

Average Lifespan of Above Ground Pools

Above ground pools typically last between 10 to 15 years. Of course, above ground pools that are cared for and have lots of time, effort, and money dedicated towards their maintenance can last even longer, usually up to 25 years. However, this is still shorter than an in ground pool’s lifespan, with most in ground pools lasting 20 to 25 years on average, and with some even lasting to 50 years old!^{[1]
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Section 2 of 4:

Why Above Ground Pools Have a Shorter Lifespan

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The materials used to make above ground pools have a shorter lifespan. Steel, aluminum, and resin are the materials most typically used to make above ground pools, with some models using a combination of these materials. While each material has its pros and cons, they all unfortunately have shorter lifespans than vinyl, fiberglass, and concrete, which are the materials used to construct most in ground pools.^{[2]
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Severe weather can damage the walls and lining of the pool. If you live somewhere where it storms or snows a lot, you are unfortunately at a bit of a disadvantage. Intense storms and snow in particular can wreak havoc on the lining and frame of an above ground pool, which are more vulnerable to the elements since they’re not buried in the ground.^{[3]
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Rust can form on the steel liner of an above ground pool and shorten its lifespan. Pools made of steel face the threat of being severely damaged by the incurable disease that is rust. For the pools whose walls are completely made out of steel, the pool will no longer be able to hold in the massive amount of water once their walls begin to corrode from this buildup of rust. A sad but true story.^{[4]
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Section 3 of 4:

Prolonging Your Pool’s Lifespan

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Clean the pool water regularly. Maintaining the cleanliness of your pool is ultimately what’s going to let you spend more summer days together, and the water is just one part of your entire pool. Making sure that the water is clean of any gross bacteria, algae, and anything else that can form on and below its surface is vital to maintaining the entire pool. Here are some things you can do to properly clean the water:^{[5]
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- Make sure that the water is properly balanced. The alkalinity, or the amount of alkali in the pool, should be between 80 to 120 ppm (parts per million) and calcium levels should be anywhere between 250 and 400 ppm. In addition to that, check to make sure that the pH level falls somewhere between 7.2 and 7.6. Any pool testing kit that you buy should include pool testing strips to measure all of these things.
- Pour some chlorine into the pool water to kill off any bacteria that may already be in the water.
- Add water clarifiers to prevent the water from becoming too cloudy and stop any water debris from building up over time. This will also oxidize the various organic substances that are actually good for your pool’s water.
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Scrub and vacuum your pool by hand. It may sound like a lot of work, but that’s the price you’ll pay to keep your pool around longer. Use a pool vacuum on the walls and floor, then go through with a brush over the walls of the pool to get rid of dirt and grime. Then use the pool skimmer to catch any leaves or other debris floating on the surface of the water.^{[6]
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Run the pump for 8 to 12 hours a day to ensure proper water circulation. Unlike cleaning your pool by hand, this step requires basically no effort on your part! Just turn the pump on and leave it to do its thing for those 8 to 12 hours, with the specific time depending mostly on the size and volume of your pool. Running the pump will keep the water moving and will also push the water through the filter where unwanted substances can be caught.^{[7]
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- You should also clean and replace your filter regularly according to the manufacturer’s recommendation.
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Cover your pool when it’s not being used. This will help reduce the amount of water that is lost due to evaporation and will keep out unwanted guests from falling into the water and causing algae growth or clogging the filter. You’ll definitely want to do this step, since it’ll mean less cleaning by hand for you later on.^{[8]
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Make sure your pool is protected during the winter. Don’t just leave your pool to fend for itself during the cold season. You can hire a professional to winterize your pool, but you can also go ahead and do this yourself easily.^{[9]
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- Start by cleaning your pool thoroughly. Give your pool one last good scrub before letting it hibernate for the winter. Contrary to what you might think, you should actually leave a bit of water in the pool, as it will help protect the liner and structure from cold weather damage. After you’re done cleaning, check to make sure the chlorine and pH levels of the water are balanced and add in some wintering chemicals.^{[10]
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- Remove and safely store the pump, filter, pool skimmer, pool lines, ladders, and any other accessories or supplies you may have out there.
- Cover the pool with an air pillow and then a pool cover. The air pillow will hold up the cover and prevent it from freezing to the water below.

Section 4 of 4:

Above Ground Pools vs. In Ground Pools

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Above ground pools are easy to install and remove. Setting up an above ground pool can be your next DIY project and will not leave a huge impact on your yard even after removal. In ground pools, on the other hand, require professionals to be hired to do the digging, leveling, and insulating, and cannot be removed without leaving a giant hole in your yard.^{[11]
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Above ground pools are more susceptible to damage. Your above ground pool is in a pretty risky situation, considering how the entire structure is vulnerable to extreme weather and even damages from curious wild animals that may be passing through. Of course, in ground pools aren’t 100% immune to these threats, but they aren’t nearly as exposed either.
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You can save money by choosing an above ground pool. Given how labor-intensive the installation process of an in ground pool is, you’ll be taking a good chunk out of your wallet from the very start, and it’ll only get more expensive as you add the costs of materials and other features. Not only do above ground pools in general just cost less, but they are often not taxable, since they’re not a permanent fixture to your property.^{[12]
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There is a limited range of sizes and styles you can choose from for above ground pools. Whereas you are mostly free to choose how large and how deep you want your in ground pool to be, above ground pools come in a limited number of options and, let’s face it, can end up looking pretty cheap compared to an in ground pool in terms of overall aesthetics.^{[13]
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