Making the jump

With temperatures soaring, vacations canceled and most community swimming pools limiting access or closed, a backyard pool seems like a good idea. No, not one of those blowup kiddie pools, but a real, aboveground pool large enough for the entire family.

"It's no mystery why aboveground pools are so popular. They provide homeowners with all the joys of having a backyard pool without having to take on the cost, commitment and full-on construction project that an in-ground pool entails," says Michael Dean of Asheville, N.C., who has designed and installed pools for more than 25 years.

Unfortunately, you may not be able to get one. Demand is up fourfold over last year, according to Laci Carnes, a spokesperson for Royal Swimming Pools. Still, with some sleuthing and a bit of creativity, you may find a pool that suits your needs. Here's what to know before you dive in.

Map out your space.

Consider how much room you have. Aboveground pools typically start at 10 to 12 feet in diameter, but the buttresses that hold up the sides can add an additional three feet. Some municipalities or homeowners associations have size restrictions regarding backyard pools. Keep in mind that you should leave even more space than the minimum regulation, just to be safe, Dean says. Also, pools need to sit on a flat surface. If your yard is hilly or sloped, you may have to excavate to create a level spot. And a pool needs to be within six to 10 feet of a GFCI-protected electrical outlet to power the pump.

Learn the local laws.

Do you need any building permits? Are there easements or other rules for backyard pools? Some municipalities require fencing, so children can't easily gain access. Others insist on an alarm that goes off if the water is disturbed in an unattended pool. Although the walls of...