What is the best thing to put under a pool?

Asked by: Amy Braun

Concrete is probably the best option since it is usually 100% level and smooth. Also, grass can’t grow through concrete and animals and bugs can’t damage or burrow through it either. Grass or dirt is also another great option, as long as it has been properly leveled and you’ve killed off the grass first.

What is the best material to put under a pool?

By far the best material to place under a swimming pool liner is Armor Shield or Gorilla Pad. These materials are breathable allowing moisture to escape and are extremely tough, keeping insects and moles from coming through and piercing the vinyl pool liner.

What can you put under a pool besides sand?

Here are some alternatives that we’ve discussed:

• Old carpet could be nice, although it will get moldy over time, giving it about a year.
• Cardboard boxes will work for a few weeks, until they fall apart.
• A few old blankets could also work, but they won’t last a year.

What is a good base for an above ground pool?

Sand. Sand is another material that can be used to stabilize your above ground pool. The weight of the pool will push down on the sand, making a relatively firm base. Unlike concrete pads, sand will wear away over time and become unreliable in heavy rain.

What is the best padding to put under an above ground pool?

Gorilla Pads are pre-cut floor pads designed to protect and cushion the bottom of above ground pools. Unlike old pool foam padding, which can be easily be cut or pierced by grass, roots, or rocks under your above ground pool liner, Gorilla Bottom pool floor padding is impervious to almost any sharp object.

Do I need a pad under my pool?

Above-ground pools should be placed on pool floor padding for two important reasons: Installation of padding underneath the swimming pool liner protects it from stones, roots, or other sharp debris that might cut the pool liner and cause a leak.

What kind of foam goes under a pool?

Styrofoam sheeting is often used as the bottom base below the liner of an aboveground pool. The foam provides a smooth surface for the liner and protects it from sharp rocks that may puncture it.

What do you put under a temporary pool?

This article will cover 4 ideas of what to put under Intex pools:

• GOOD: Use the Intex ground cloth.
• BETTER: Use a third-party ground covering.
• BEST: Use interlocking foam tiles for the most protection.
• ALTERNATIVE: Use a roll of old carpet – it’s FREE!

How do you prepare the ground for a pool?

Preparing a Spot for Your New Above Ground Pool

1. MARK THE AREA.
2. REMOVE THE TURF.
3. HAVE SAND DELIVERED.
4. CHECK LOCAL FENCING LAWS.
5. STAKES & STRINGS.
6. GETTING LEVEL GROUND.
7. PAVER PLACEMENT.
8. BRING IN THE SAND.

Can you put cardboard under a pool?

If cutting costs without cutting corners is on your agenda, do yourself and the planet a favor by padding your pool with newspapers and cardboard. Both materials are readily available — and free for the asking — from recycling centers, store refuse containers or your own recycling bins.

How do I protect the bottom of my above ground pool?

Liner Life pre-cut liner pads are specifically designed to cushion and protect the bottom of your above ground pool. The high-quality padding material prevents grass, roots, rocks or other sharp objects from damaging the pool’s liner while adding a comfy layer of cushioning to your pool’s floor.

Is a pool pad worth it?

Yes! It is always a good idea to use padding under your liner as another layer to prevent roots, stones, or other debris from making a hole in your liner and causing a leak. There are many different kinds of padding on the market, to name a few there are: Gorilla Pad, Happy Bottom, and Foam Pad.

Can you put plywood under above ground pool?

It’s costly to buy enough plywood to place directly beneath the entire pool. You also create the risk of a wood splinter puncturing the pool liner. Instead, measure the size of the pool’s leg supports and cut plywood pieces that can sit directly under the legs.

How do you prepare the ground for an above ground pool?

How to Prep Ground for an Above-Ground Pool

1. Choose the best area of your yard to set up your pool. …
2. Remove all sod and other vegetation from the area. …
3. Determine the lowest point of the pool area. …
4. Create a wood level. …
5. Replace the metal stake with a 2-inch square wooden stake hammered flush with the ground.

Should you put sand under Intex pool?

The folks at Intex are fairly clear that you should NOT put sand under your pool. The sand can easily wash away, causing voids under your pool and risking your pool leaning and even collapsing.

Can you put carpet under above ground pool?

Traditional felt carpet padding is usually frowned upon as a pool padding material, according to the Pool Homeschool blog, but modern closed-cell foam carpet pads can work well. Those marketed as “memory foam” pads work for an above-ground pool sitting on concrete.

How thick should a pool bottom be?

To be structurally sound, a concrete pool shell should generally be 6 inches thick. Depending on the engineer and the soil condition, it may be more. (On top of that, the plaster interior finish should be at least ⅜ inch thick.)

How do you build a pool base?

Choice the sand is thoroughly watered down then tamped to compact the sand. Finally it is smooth with the back of a push style broom.

What is vermiculite used for in pools?

Advantages. The softness of vermiculite is actually a pretty hefty advantage for vinyl liner pools. It’s softer than grout, the other option for vinyl liner pool floors, and doesn’t harden in the same manner as concrete but not as hard.

What goes under inground pool liner?

Underneath the liner is a sand or cementitious floor, troweled into place. The floor sidewalls come up to meet the walls, which are commonly 42” x 8 ft panels made of galvanized steel or thermoplastic. These walls are supported from behind so that they won’t bow out against the weight of the water.

What is the best sand to use under a pool liner?

Mason Sand

Mason Sand, For Your Pool’s Base



It is usually measured in yards. It is very fine and should not contain any rocks or pebbles. This will create a very smooth bottom and is the most popular method to use when installing an above ground pool.

What happens if water gets behind your pool liner?

If water does get behind the pool liner, it can lose its seal – this allows wrinkles to form and the liner to develop soft spots. Should this occur, the liner can lift and float, but DON’T PANIC, and don’t start swearing at your pool company- as they have done nothing wrong!

What kind of sand do you use under a pool liner?

What Type of Sand Should I Use? For your pool’s base, you want sand that’s very fine and free of any rocks or pebbles. This type of sand is referred to as mason sand, masonry sand, or sometimes mortar sand.

How many bags of sand do I need for a 18 foot pool?

How Much Sand Will I Need For Pool Installation?

How much sand do I need for a 15 foot pool?

You will need at least 2 inches (5.08 cm) of sand for your above-ground pool lining. For an average 15 × 30 foot (4.5 x 9.1 m) rectangular pool, you will need around 2-3 cubic yards (1.53 – 2.29 cu m) of sand or approximately 4 tons (3600 kilos).

How many inches of sand do you need for a pool?

The standard depth of sand that should be used under an aboveground pool’s floor is 2 inches.

What is the easiest way to level a ground for a pool?

1. STEP 1: Determine your location and remove any large rocks or debris. …
2. STEP 2: Place 2x4s on the site and place a level on top. …
3. STEP 3: Add or take away soil until the ground is level. …
4. STEP 4: Repeat the process until the entire area is flat. …
5. STEP 5: Rake any remaining rocks or debris and tamp the ground.

How do I level my ground for a pool without sand?

There is an easy way to do this. Screw two 2-by-4 boards together alongside each other so they are one or two feet longer than the diameter of your pool. Next, lay the attached boards on the ground where the pool will be and put a level on top. Slowly lift and lower one side of the 2-by-4s until it shows level.

What happens if your above ground pool is unlevel?

The water will press with more force on one section of the pool than the others. This uneven weight distribution can buckle, twist or even collapse the pool wall, resulting in property damage and injury to anyone in or around the pool when it fails.

How do I level my pool without digging?

You're gonna get your heavy twine or light rope whatever it is and you're gonna tie that to the metal ring. So you can pull the board. Around. While you're looking at the level to watch.


How far can pool be off level?

Two inches off usually will not cause any structural issues so you can live with it that way. Any more than two inches is unacceptable. Intex pools that are three inches off or more will not last and no one should be swimming in one.