An Aboveground Swimming Pool from the Store to Your BackyardShopShop for a complete aboveground pool package from a reputable Swimming Pool Store. The more you shop, the more people you talk to, you will learn how great Baker Pool and Fitness really is. We care more about the product and service than you do!
How long have they been in business? Baker Pool and Fitness has been in business since 1968.
Check them out online: Better Business Bureau, Wisconsin Court Access, Call the independent installers (the reputable installers install only the good dealers pools, Wisconsin's summer is short and they don't have time to work with inferior pools that might be missing parts or have the wrong parts).
Get a complete Swimming Pool PackageThe POOLBuy a pool that is made by a name brand Swimming Pool Manufacture. The warranty is only as solid as the manufacture. Ask to see the warranty in full detail in writing.
STAINLESS STEEL PANELDoes the pool have a STAINLESS STEEL panel in the pool wall where the inwall skimmer and water return are? Our competitor's wall does not cover corrosion around the inwall skimmer and return area. It says so in their warranty; this is where swimming pools fail! STAINLESS STEEL won't rust due to leaks and chemical corrosion. This is the single most important improvement in aboveground swimming pools over the last 15 years. Why doesn't everyone do it? The STAINLESS STEEL panel adds $400.00 to the price of the pool.
The FILTER SYSTEMGet a filter system that is sized correctly for the size swimming pool you are buying. The filter system needs to have enough horsepower and more importantly the correct flow rate (GPM-GALLONS PER MINUTE) for your swimming pool's water volume. All the chemical in the world will not keep your swimming pool water clean without the correct size filter system. You will spend more time vacuuming and more money on chemical trying to keep your swimming pool water clean. The filter system needs to be able to filter out dirt and turn the swimming pool water over as much as possible.
Buy a name brand filter system that parts and service are available for you at any reputable dealer. Don't buy a bastardized price pointed one of a kind specialized filter system that only one dealer offers. One simple 10 cent plug or part completely affects whether your filter system works or doesn't work. How soon do you want to spend another $500.00 to $600.00 on another filter system for your new swimming pool?
The LINERThe LINER is the heart of your swimming pool, get the best liner right away. 25 MIL, virgin, non-embossed vinyl is simply the best. Make sure that the wall and floor is of the same gauge. A lot of liners are thinner in the wall like only 16 mil and maybe 20 mil on the floor. Doesn't the wall take just as much abuse from kids playing or winter ice than as the floor? It's cheaper to make and before this did you know to ask? Our liner is 25 mil throughout, wall and floor. Check the warranty in writing as well. The liner warranty gets mixed up with the swimming pool structure warranty. They are two different warranties. Check out our website liner page:
POOL LINERS we really explain it there. Embossed vs. Non-Embossed and how to determine true thickness. You want a swimming pool liner that is 25 MIL wall and floor, non-embossed, virgin vinyl. Our liner is also a beaded liner which means it assembles just like a $35,000.00 inground pool. It looks the best, no overlap showing on the outside of the swimming pool wall. You cannot get a more professional look or more durability than a 25 MIL (wall and floor), non-embossed, virgin vinyl beaded aboveground pool liner.
The INWALL SKIMMERDoes the swimming pool come equipped with a widemouth inwall skimmer? A widemouth inwall skimmer is needed to handle the high flow rates of today's powerful filter systems. If your inwall skimmer is to small you will wreck your filter system because the small mouth inwall skimmers simply cannot provide enough water flow to the filter system so you end up starving the pump of water or create cavitation which destroys pumps. Is the manufacture of the inwall skimmer kit name brand? Parts like the skimmer basket, vacuum plate, skimmer cover, gaskets, eyeball fittings are all readily available from name brand companies. That is what we stock. These are some of the pieces that get lost over winter because you put them away so good or your children decided they make good toys. Baker Pool and Fitness uses only the most common widemouth inwall skimmer assembly in the industry.
The LADDERGet a ladder that is all resin and one that can hold real people. The all resin ladder will not break down due to bad water chemistry or harsh chemical in the water. An option is an all resin step section that is easier to get in and out of the swimming pool. Our resin step section holds real people without that wiggly feeling. Our step section also allows for water to circulate behind the steps so you don't get mold or algae growing behind them.
The MAINTENACE KITGet a maintenance kit that gets the job done. Our swimming pool maintenance kits comes with an aluminum vacuum pole (aluminum does cost more than a steel pole besides a steel pole is heavier to use and its going to rust), a skimmer net, a weighted vacuum head (a light vacuum head floats up making vacuuming more of a chore), a quality ribbed vacuum hose that doesn't suck flat from the suction of a strong filter system (if you get a weak filter system like the competitors use you won't have to worry about this one). Weak suction makes for a long day of cleaning the swimming pool.
The CHEMICAL KITDoes the swimming pool package come with a complete chemical kit or just a "start-up kit"? Our swimming pool package comes with a complete kit. After we help you determine what sanitizer is right for your swimming pool, we supply you with that sanitizer, an algaecide, pH adjustments both up and down, and an easy to use swimming pool water test kit. One of the biggest things we pride ourselves on is that we just don't say "see ya good luck" we are here for all your water chemistry needs. We offer free water testing all year round. Bring us a water sample and we can tell you exactly what is going on with your water and what you need in your water if anything. We help you even after the sale, we want to make your owning a swimming pool easy not another chore!
The installation process.Get the necessary swimming pool permits and electrical permits from your city or town.
The Installers.
How long have they been installing aboveground swimming pools?
Check them out online: Better Business Bureau, Wisconsin Court Access.
If it sounds to good to be true it is. Nothing is free. Just think how much fuel alone costs to run big trucks and earth moving equipment. What is being sacrificed to pay for the install? The swimming pool, the quality of the install? Or both?
Get the install in writing, a contract, good installers have nothing to hide.
This is what you should expect from a good install.Excavation of the swimming pool site down to clear firm ground.
Removal of the excavated dirt, a lot of dirt is removed and what are you going to do with it leave it piled in the yard or drive way?
Sand is needed for the base and bottom of the pool. Is the sand included? Sand usually costs around $200.00 for a typical swimming pool install.
Is the sand bottom going to be compacted into a smooth surface? Any imperfections in the bottom sand will show up once the liner is installed. A non compacted bottom will settle with divots all over the place. You want to have a smooth bottom so that vacuuming the swimming pool bottom is easier and so that any automatic swimming pool vacuum will work properly and won't get stuck.
Is patio block included? Each leg of the swimming pool needs to be on a patio block so that the leg does not settle into the ground. This is the foundation of the swimming pool. If the patio blocks are not right the swimming pool will not be right, laser transits are used to set the blocks level and straight. You do not want a roller coaster looking swimming pool in your backyard. It is not safe.
The liner is set with the intent to have no wrinkles from the start. Some installers hit you in the middle of the job to see if you want to have a wrinkle free install and charge you an extra fee. This should not be an after thought and is dirty business. This sounds crazy but is true. Everybody assumes wrinkle free, do not assume anything.
Water needs to be delivered to set the liner. A good installer will tell you the price of water ahead of time. No, they can not use a garden hose or even a lot of garden hoses. They need a lot of water fast to properly set the liner.
Install the inwall skimmer and return fittings on the swimming pool.
Assemble and hook up the filter system.
Eletrical and Gas LinesGet a licensed electrician to provide correct power supply outlets for pool equipment. Most people have a favorite electrician, if you don't we can help you find one.
If you are getting a gas heater or considering a gas heater now would be the time to get the gas line installed. This has to be done by a certified gas line installer. We can help you find a installer for that as well. It is easier to dig up the yard just once than twice to run the lines.
Bottom LineThe bottom line is that we want to see you get a great Swimming Pool at a great Price, with no hidden fees, expenses or headaches. We would like to make the process of building a Back Yard Escape an easy one.
REMEMBER:
The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price! 
