In-ground swimming pools have become super expensive. Here in Central Florida where concrete type in-grounds are the most popular, their price has gone through the roof. These pools usually start with a price tag of $30 000, but then go way up from there. It’s not at all uncommon to pay more than $50 000 for an average size concrete in-ground and that’s not even a very big or fancy one.
Because of this crazy cost of in-grounds, homeowners are finding a less expensive option by getting an above ground pool and sinking it in the ground. I have seen above grounds in the ground for many years and it’s nothing new, but it has certainly become much more popular in the last 10 years or so. It seems like at least one person asks me about this every day. So, if you are considering sinking an above ground swimming pool in the ground, you’ve found the right blog post.
Sinking an Above Ground Pool 101
Here’s a list of the basics of placing an above ground pool in the ground. Follow these basics and things will probably go well and you’ll be happy. If you don’t follow them, you might still come out happy. Who knows?
I. Only go down about halfway
These pools aren’t called “above grounds” just ’cause it’s catchy. Above ground swimming pools are not designed for inward pressure. So, when you put them in the ground, they can cave in from the weight of the earth, but only when they are empty. By sinking the pool down only halfway (2-2.5 ft), the pool has a much less likelihood of caving in when the time comes to drain the pool while installing a replacement liner.
If your ground is super firm, it won’t matter much how far down you go. In Central Florida it’s mostly sand-based so that’s an issue, but if you have rocky, rooty, or earth with a lot of clay, you may be fine to go down further. Some will go with the extra cost of building a retaining wall all the way around the pool. If you do that then you’re also good, but that adds to the cost of the job and aren’t you wanting a much cheaper alternative to an in-ground?
Also, most who sink their pool will have a wood deck built around it. Wood decks require some height off the ground so its structure can be built and that’s another good reason to go only halfway down.
II. The hole has to be bigger than the size of the pool
Above ground pools are assembled on site. They can’t be “pre-built” somewhere cool and then helicoptered in and set down into a hole perfectly. The thing has to be built in the hole so more room is needed. As a guideline, if the pool is going two or more feet down, make the hole 1.5’ bigger than the size of the pool all the way around. EXAMPLE: A 24’ round pool should have a hole that is at least 27’ in diameter.
Make sure the bottom of the hole is the desired size and not the top. I know that sounds stupid, but it’s not. A lot of times, holes get dug with a starting top dimension of 27’ round and by the time the hole is two feet down, its dimension has tilted in and it ends up being a 26’ hole at the bottom. Additionally, if your earth is really sandy and loose, it may be a good idea to make the hole even bigger. There’s little more frustrating than building one of these pools in a hole and it caves in on you halfway through with loose earth.
III.Leave piles of earth right next to the hole
After the pool is built and full of water, you’ll want to backfill some dirt around the pool. Remember the hole was bigger than the pool? Leaving some earth close to the hole will make backfilling much easier. Warning: Backfilling before the pool is full of water will result in the wall caving in! Don’t start backfilling too early. Let the pool fill with water so the water’s outward pressure will keep the pool wall in place. I know this sounds like a “duh” statement, but believe me it’s happened more often than I want to admit.
IV. Above ground pool pumps have to stay below the waterline
There are a few differences between in-ground pool pumps and above ground pumps. The biggest one is that an above ground pool pump cannot draw water up. This means that the above ground pump has to be at a level lower than the pool’s water level in order to work properly. If you are placing your above ground in the earth, make sure your pump stays below the pool. You can have your equipment well above the pool, but you’ll have to buy the more expensive in-ground pump to do so. Just another reason to go only halfway down (add this to the first guideline).
V. Check for local safety guidelines
For some towns or counties, an above ground swimming pool is considered safe because they are so high off the ground. With a safety ladder, above ground pools can be pretty safe for any small children wandering along the countryside unsupervised. Though, when you sink the pool that changes. If you don’t have a fence around your yard or if wandering two-year-olds are a problem in your area, then consider this safety issue.
Honorable Mention
So many people ask me if an above ground pool will last as long when it is buried in the ground. Some feel that sinking one in the earth will make it rust out faster or something. It makes logical sense to think that is what will happen, but there is one thing that is more accurate than logical sense and that’s long-term observation. In my 30 years of working on these pools, I have seen no evidence that placing them in the ground takes any life out of them. Of course there are instances where that can be true, but I’m talking as a general rule. Now some disagree with me on this and that’s OK. It’s healthy to be wrong sometimes. Most of them haven’t observed above grounds apart from their own or maybe an uncle’s or neighbor’s or something.
Go ahead and install an above ground in the ground. You may enjoy it more as it won’t be located so high up in your yard.
Hello I have purchased a pool from the Facebook market place and to level the pool one side has to be buried in the ground close to 2 ft. I have a liner from you all on the way. My question is.. I know the metal feet have surface rust on them and I will be costing them with some undercoating paint. My question is…
Is there anything you guys reccomend on spraying on the side that goes into the ground. As just an extra rust protectant? Like undercoating rust protection or covering with plastic? Or expanding foam?. I know it’s not needed. Just trying to add that extra protection
I am buying a 32×16 x52 ULTA Frame above ground pool from Wal-Mart. Can this be sinkin
Into the ground about 2 feet ?
Do you suggest putting sand under the pool,.or is the dirt all you need ?
Is it possible to change the pool liner if the pool has been put into the ground? My husband says he’s worried when we drain it; it may cave in.
After reading this, I went it to a local supplier to inquire about different pools and pricing and was told that the aluminum above ground pools can not be put into the ground because of the pressure. we were looking to sink it 2 feet on one side and a foot on the other to follow our grading.
But that wasnt what I understood from this. She told me I would need to purchase a steel pool that was basically an in ground pool to do this. Which is 3x the cost.
So is this them trying to up sell me or am I missing something? we live in canada and the dirt is fairly compact but of couse we deap with the freeze/thaw of winters
We just bought a Coleman 18ft. round pool from Wal-Mart, my husband wants to put it 2ft in ground, is that possible? Thanks in advance
oh btw we live in Corpus Christi Tx
HI BERNICE BTW I TO LIVE IN CCTX , I SURE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW EVERYTHING WORKS OUT FOR YOU – SO MUCH GOOD ADVISE AND INFO THANKS DAN.
We currently have an 18×33 pool that has a dug out “deep end” along with a full surrounding deck. We knew we needed a new liner this year, but the metal pool walls are completely rusted, so new pool. 🙁 The whole deck will have to be removed for a new pool install. I have been contemplating options as far as above ground vs in ground. I have priced the kits. The steel in ground pool kits are about double the cost of the above ground pool kits, but still not a terrible price. An in ground kit would also eliminate the need for a deck, as we will probably need one within the next year and will be another huge cost. My dad and husband are in construction and own a bobcat to use for excavation. My question is what exactly would/could be used to do a diy in ground pool? I saw someones comment about cinder blocks, but didn’t get an answer if it would work. I have heard that treated lumber and foamboard can be used to build the walls and sand/concrete mix for the floor then add liner. Any suggestions as far as what materials could be used to do a diy in ground pool without a pool kit?? We live in MS. Thanks!
I have a question please. We live in MO and my friend has an above ground that has been sunk in ground for many years. They are now planning to fill it in. They have taken the liner out and someone told them they have to cut out the wall because it has fiberglass before they can fill it. Is this true? Can’t understand why that would be a necessary step. Feels like they just want to get money as they said it would cost $4,000! Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Kym
Hi Dan,
Thanks for all of the advice. I have an Intex Ultra Frame 22’x52″. This pool is basically a bag with support polls, lol. 1-Do you think it can be dropped in ground?
2-If so is there a depth limit?
3-The dirt here in the Piedmont area of NC (Raleigh, Durham) is good and not sandy, in fact some clay, is that okay to back fill with?
4- Do you recommend placing tarp around the sides before back filling?
5- What are you thoughts on using screenings (finely ground rock with the consistency of fine sand but a fraction of the cost) for bottom of pool say 2′ thick and back filling?
TYIA Bro
Yes, you can drop it in the ground at probably any depth but keep in mind that an Intex pool won’t last very long so replacing it will be tough when it’s in the ground. A tarp won’t matter for backfilling. That aggregate should be ok for the bottom.
Hello Dan, I live in southern California and I want to partially bury a 16 x 32 intex pool, would
coating the exterior have any advantages for longevity?
Thank you
I don’t think coating the outside will matter much but you never know. Chinese soft sided pools usually rust from the chlorinated water or the wall material starts to fail causing leaks. Coating the outside of the pool probably won’t reduce either occurrence.
I’m sinking my 27 ft above ground. I know I will need a self priming pump, but I’ve heard you should get a certain type of filter. It does not make logical sense to me, shouldn’t my Pentair SD40 work just fine?
Yes, it should as long as the new pump is sized right for the existing filter.
Hello Dan, I live in central Indiana and we are going to install a 27′ round above ground steel frame pool. We plan on recessing the elevation 24″. Do I need to do anything special to accomadate for freezing/thawing? Our typical freeze line is 48″. I am planning on backfilling with the dirt the hole provides.
Thanks, Scott
Hi. This is out of my realm of expertise as Florida doesn’t have any ground “heaving”. My advice is to ask a local concrete contractor about frost heaving. If your area doesn’t have that, then you are good to sink.
Would it be okay to bury a metal above ground pool on only one side? So one side is partially buried and the other is not buried at all. Would that hurt anything?
It shouldn’t hurt anything at all. Pools built on extreme grades have that with little to no issues.
I want to put a pool into my hillside. I live in Pa and the ground is mostly clay. Would it be ok to put the back half of the pool about 3 feet buried? Will the water pressure keep the wall of dirt from collapsing the pool?
Hi Dan, thanks for all your info… It’s very helpful! Question: I’m scheduled to install my pool in NC about 30″ deep. I had the hole professionally dug using a transit and my earth is 90% clay, BUT the water table was really high so it kept filling with water from the earth. I had the landscaper dig out a 2 foot wide trench on the low side and I took a stick and dragged some little trenches towards that wide trench, then put a sump pump in there to drain it out. The water is almost gone, but there is still a tiny tiny bit draining into the big trench throughout the day. Also, the floor of the hole is still partially muddy, partially hard. What can I do to solidify this bottom so my installers can come put in their leveling sand, the pad and setup the pool without having to worry about leveling issues? Please advise…
It sounds like you have two options. A) Wait for a drier season(if you have one) or, B) fill the hole until the earth is dry enough to build the pool. You may be able to add six inches to the hole and the pool get built. It may then only be 24″ in the ground but that’s better than nothing. A third option may be to install a wellpoint(look it up) but that may not work if the water continues to seep from the sides of the hole.
I am looking at burying a lounge pool. We looked at stock tanks, but we can’t get one big enough. We would like it to be approximately a 12-16 foot circle and between 24-30 inches deep. Someone asked earlier if you could bury an Intex pool from Walmart. They are all made of different substances. Can you give me a suggestion on a specific one? Some say steel, but they look whicker. I have plenty of manual labor assist. If you were me, what pool would you use, and what are some things you would do to insure a long life? BTW I live in Kansas. Thanks.
My advice is to only buy a metal walled pool. Unless you want to replace it every year and have a continuously difficult time keeping the water healthy. When you say you want a long life, how long are you talking about? Some people proudly tell me how they got their Intex pool to last three years. Good for them I guess. My dad once got four hundred miles out of a donut spare tire which he thought was cool. Personally, I think getting at least thirty thousand miles out of a real tire is cool.
I’m a fan of getting a pool that’ll last at least ten years(whether you want it that long or not). This is similar to getting a pet. Do you get a hamster or a dog?
I loved your analogy. Your blog has GREAT info. I am getting ready to enjoy a fulfilling profession and nice salary in my new role as nurse practitioner. I will always be thrifty at heart and can’t bring myself to spend all of that money on an in-ground pool. Your blog provides the perfect solution. This will allow me to also invest in a large, pretty deck and landscaping without feeling like I spent too much money overall. Thank you, Dan. (Cincinnati, Ohio)
I live in Alabama, considering buying an above ground that can be put in ground, should I go with the more costly one that is made for this or any pool will do? Also I want to install a salt chlorinater?
It depends on which pool you are talking about when you say “one that can be put in the ground”. And “I want to install a salt chlorinater?” I don’t know. Do you?
Great article! I live in south fl, would you recommend at least a concrete base at the bottom to prevent any kind of dip on either side of the pool with time?
I have never seen an above ground pool settle in Florida. Some think theirs settled but the pool was either off level from day one or a washout caused it. The earth just doesn’t move here enough to be concerned with it. Concrete is cool but very expensive so don’t use it just for that reason.
I just dug out our pool 2 ft deep for 33 ft pool it rained before I could get it done. Is it ok if there is a little water in the hole or do I need to pump it out. I already put the sand in the center and put upright blocks in the water is in center because it 4 inches deeper there
An above ground pool has to have dry ground in order to install a nice smooth wrinkle-free bottom. You can try to install one in a giant puddle though. In a short time, you won’t have to ask me if it’s possible. You’ll find out for yourself.
Hey Dan,
I live in Tampa, can you recommend an installer in my area? Thanks!!
Try Full Metal Shovel.
We used them (Full Metal Shovel) in 2012. We had them put our 18×33 sunk half way in the ground. They are EXCELLENT! Very professional, courteous, and on time. Big plus for us! We are military and they offered us that discount. It still cost us $1800.00 for the dig and installation, but the installer even moved the dirt to the back of our property for our shooting range. My question now is: We need to replace our liner. Do we need to dig out the back fill again prior to changing the liner? It is buried 2 ft. exactly for warranty purposes. Btw, we just bought a replacement cartridge for your company. Very happy with the cost to replace it. The best price I found after searching for 3 days. Sure hope it makes it to Lake Wales quickly. Thanks again Dan!
The last I heard, Full Metal Shovel is still in business. I recommend you asking them. They should know better than me. If you can’t get ahold of them though, at two feet down, you shouldn’t have to dig out any dirt around the pool. Unless it starts caving in. Thanks for your service and please don’t shoot the messenger.
I have a 16×24 doughboy I’d like to bury halfway down (26 inches). Can I backfill with the dirt I excavated? I’m in a Chicago suburb. Thanks
Yes you can but first do some research on frost heaving in your area.
I have an oval with the straps across the bottom. I was hoping those would not be necessary if I sink the pool deep enough. Cutting those straps would allow me to have it deeper in the center. Will that work?
Yes that would work but only if you back fill properly as the pool is filling.
I have a 24 foot round pool that we are wanting to half sink. Do you know a ball park of what we are looking at price wise. I live in central florida.
Ballpark is $500 to $1000 just for the dig. The install is another $800.
I live in Michigan and have a 24′ round pool I would like to move from my parents and 1/2 bury in my yard. Do I just call normal pool installers for this? thanks
First off I don’t know any pool installers that are normal. Seriously though, yes. Start there and see what the installer says. He may do the dig himself or have you get an excavator to dig the hole first.
In looking at these options, I have also seen diy in ground kits that while more expensive, are nowhere near the cost of traditional, contractor built pools. I’m not looking for diving depth, but am concerned that butying an above ground pool will limit me to 48 inches and I want at least 60” depth.
See if POR-15 can take care of your rust problem. Its paintable too.
Hello. I came across this blog looking for information about my pool. I just bought a house with an inground pool that is half out, and half in ground. 2 feet above, and 2 feet below. It has a brand new liner installed. What concerns me is that outside of the pool is rusting and the paint is peeling along the ground around the base. I’m trying to figure out what I can do to help preserve it, because I assume the part that is under the dirt is also in the same condition. Do you have any advice? Not only am I worried about it rusting out, but it looks awful. I really would like to do something before I start having my pool parties in the summer. Thank you.
You can sand and paint or use something to slow down the rust if you want. It probably won’t do much so do whatever you want to hide it. Plants are a nice option.
You can use foundation paint around the outside of the pool but that should be done before the pool is filled back in with dirt durning the install.
Can you sink an Intex pool from Walmart?
No, you cannot.
Hi Matthew, regarding the Intex pool from Walmart, is it the because of the brand Intex specifically? I had noticed another message earlier and they had mentioned an Intex and Dan’s reply didn’t say anything about them having an issue with the brand. If it is the Brand can you recommend a brand? Also I’m from North Georgia and the soil here is rocky and clay any advice on the backfill?
Intex pools are mainly soft-sided or thinner gauge steel component pools, neither of which will hold up being sunk into the ground. Most manufacturers have a pool model that can be safely sunk. A pool we used to carry by Asahi, called the Bermuda was a sinkable pool.
Yes you can.
I had this same question. My pool is 18′ x 48″ and is basically a vinyl wall/liner with a metal pole frame. I’d love to sink it atleast half way then build a deck around it. I live in southeast Louisiana. Is it possible with this type of pool?
Sure. Just know that those pools don’t last long so you’ll be installing a new one in the hole soon. And that won’t be easy.