AG Pool Decking: Over the ledge vs. under???

[UeckertRN]

We are purchasing a 54" 15x30 PROTEGE (Backyard Leisure Pools) oval pool for our back yard. Our back yard is lower than our house. We plan on decking around the pool to give it that "inground" pool look. My question is that I see where some of these pools have the deck built over the ledge. I also see that some of the pics say "Portable Pool Decks". I guess I don't know what the difference is (portable pool deck & above ground pool deck)... I was told by the pool dealer (not sure I trust him) that it isn't recommended to deck above the ledge due to pool repairs later on such as the liner. Is there a way to cover the ledge with deck and still be able to easily repair problems in the future? Do those types of repairs occur often?

Also, I have been reading the threads all night and I am worried that I got suckered into buying an aluminum pool vs. the other materials. I live in Louisiana & our weather is horrible. Very hot & humid. I have a large family & I have read that the aluminum is more flimsy. We were initially going to sink the pool halfway in the ground, but now my husband has pretty much leveled the hill so we don't need to sink it anymore. Should I go for a different pool? I don't want to spend more money than necessary.

I also read where someone posted to stay away from the mineral/low chlorine systems because they are not that good and can even mess up your pool's operating system. We agreed on the Pool Frog Mineral System. Something about it uses Silver? Again, did I just get suckered? My husband told the salesman that I could get whatever I wanted & it would be the best of the best. I think he just saw $ signs!!!

I truly appreciate all of your time and knowledge.

[PoolDoc]

The aluminum vs. steel AG pool question is not one I'm competent to comment on. But, for reference, I believe this
http://www.backyardleisurepools.com/images/protege/protege-54_r6_c1.jpg
is the pool you are talking about, from this page:
http://www.backyardleisurepools.com/protege-54-details.html

I did notice some other things. Here's their basic warranty:
http://www.backyardleisurepools.com/warranties/Pool_Warranty_2009-2010_Eng_PRO_Wilbar_20_year.pdf
and YOUR share of the warranty costs are these:
During the first year 0%
Second thru Twentieth year 80%
*** There will be a 10% Service and Handling Charge on the list price of all items ordered

So, if the pool fails during the first year, you pay 10% of the cost. After the first year, you pay 10% + 80% or 90% of the cost. Hm-mnh. Sounds like a ONE YEAR warranty, to me!

And, then, there are some warranty conditions:

f) Damages caused by the utilisation of a salt water chlorination system in combination with a steel pool structure (top ledges, uprights, joiner plates, wall
channels).

h) Corrosion around and beneath the skimmer which includes the square skimmer opening and the round return opening are specifically not warranted. Refer to the skimmer maintenance instructions as well as the pool instructions.

And, you probably wouldn't realize it, but odds are there's a gotcha built in. As your salesman what YOU are paying for the pool and what the OFFICIAL LIST price for the pool is. Odds are, you are NOT paying official list . . . but you WILL pay that, when warranty claims come up.

It works like this. Suppose you need a Wilbar Industries Protege 34X-weenger-widget. You may have paid (originally) $93 for it, as part of your pool. But, the LIST price may be $161. So, the first year, you ask for it, and they say, "that'll be $16.10 + shipping ($24) for a total of $30.10.

Same old, same old -- pool warranties tend to be smoke and mirrors, but yours is worse than most I've seen. After the first year, it's meaningless, and it's not even a full warranty the first year. They have other warranties, but my guess is, you pay for them. The other warranties have somewhat better reimbursement terms, but all have the 10% "fees" and all are based on official LIST price, NOT the price you pay

The Pool Frog is another matter: it's a waste of money, in several different ways. Cancel it, if at all possible.

Best wishes!

all linked material archived at 14501

[Watermom]

Have you already bought this pool? Couldn't tell from your post.

[UeckertRN]

Thank you soooo much!! I appreciate your time! :) I am going up there tomorrow & change a few things up... I like to have knowledge when I'm going in to a battle... LOL!

And no I have not purchased this pool yet. I put a down payment on it because it is a "last year" model & there was only one left in stock... I wonder REALLY how many they had in stock. I got it for $6,399. Reg price $8,899

Again, thank y'all sooo much! :)

[UeckertRN]

& I apologize for the incorrect subject ABP should have been AGP.....

[Watermom]

To answer the other part of your question about the above ground pool decking. I'll tell you about my pool. I currently have a 24 ft AG pool with a deck built approximately a third of the way around the perimeter of the pool. The edge of my deck aligns with the curve of my pool, but the decking boards do NOT sit on the top rail of the pool. There is a gap between the top rail and the underneath side of the decking boards. I lay 2 x 4s on the top rail which fills in the space and then these 2 x4s are screwed to the decking boards. This provides support so that if you are stepping on the edge of the decking board, the decking boards don't sag. Plus, in the winter, the 2 x 4s are removed so that if you want to put on a winter cover, you can easily do so. (I don't use a winter cover anymore.) I'll see if I can find a picture of my pool and deck so you can better see what I am talking about.

We are currently in the process of looking to buy a new AG pool but we're going with a 27 ft AG with 54 inch walls this time. This will mean that we'll have to replace the deck since the arc of the bigger pool will not match the existing deck.

(I can make the correction in your thread title for you.)

[UeckertRN]

Thank you sooo much!! And please do fix the title for me. I would LOVE to see pics of your pool. I really think I want to buy a different pool. Any suggestions on a 54" 18X33 foot pool? Where do y'all buy your pools from? Online? Who is good? :)