But concrete is a rough surface, and it will abrade the pool liner over time. Practically all of the pools I built, thousands of them, had the sand delivered to the driveway. (somers point NJ). Don’t use play sand or pool filter sand in it, use only bedding sand which is made specifically for this purpose. This section lists out substances that act like concrete but are different. It's the only thing I can think of, other than using a boatload of messy sand that will be a huge pain to clean up later. You can then just use a ground cloth over the dirt or you could cover the area with an inch or so of sand. They work great on concrete. A place where redditors can discuss all things swimming pool related. I use a little sand under Intex pools, to cushion the bottom, but not for leveling. Should I Use Pool Krete or Sand for My Vinyl Liner Pool Bottom? The ground is level. When choosing paver sand to use, it is best to stick with polymeric sand right now. Beaded Liners A twenty four foot pool would probably use about 3 tons of sand. Cardboard boxes will work for a few weeks, until they fall apart. Just 1/2″ – 1″ of sand is more than enough to smooth out the small divots and give you a nice soft surface beneath the pool. This year tho, gonna try masonry sand. However, this above ground pool filter can keep up with pools up to 21,000 gallons in size. After laying down the sand evenly, level it by using a 2 x 4 level. I could rent a tiller and tear up the ground, then sift up all the rocks, but that will cause more of a permanent "there is a giant hole in the ground" issue for when we move. doesn' t matter. A concrete pad is actually a very good base for a swimming pool, according to pool supply company Inyo Pools, since it will be perfectly flat and level, which means the pool is unlikely to shift. Gorilla Pad: http://www.amazon.com/Splash-Net-Express-Gorilla-Pad/dp/B004SPR66Y/ref=lp_1272948011_1_7?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1403489742&sr=1-7. 9. The foam can be from 1/2" up to 2", whatever you can get a good buy on. Stock Free Images is the largest web collection of FREE images, with 2.2 Million images, royalty-free stock photos and illustrations. Artificial Grass. There is no benefit to having a larger pad than the pool, and in fact, the excess can be cumbersome to manage and you will just have to cut it off anyway. The pool bottom you put isn't based on the region you live in. Safe Sand Company’s play sand isn’t bleached or dyed. Helpful. Pool Liners If you are using sand to level things out you will have nothing but problems. Styrofoam is too expensive and I can't get masonry sand. Overlap Liners From there we moved it to the backyard one wheel barrow at a time. Much like ZeoSand and filter glass, the number of polyballs you use with your filter is considerably lower than the amount of sand. I would also second the sand! You would have to do a good job of packing and tossing out the larger rocks in the 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. Sand Filters use specially designed Pool Filter Sand that removes the dirt and debris as water pushes through the media. When just using a pool pad be sure the ground under the pad is smooth. Pool Cove is foam that easily peels and sticks to the inside base of the pool wall. You could go with a thin layer of sand. So...thoughts? After the pool is assembled, the Gorilla pad is laid on the sand or the grass. My fence won't allow me to bring in any sand (unless I bring it in one wheelbarrow at a time!). We purchased a $200 Summer Escapes 14 ft x 48 inch above-ground pool (154 square feet). It is very soft and can be used over top of the sand, right out of the bag. Sand Pool Filters. We use only peat moss. Turn Your Pool Into a Garden. Pool Parts Level the sand base: On top of the compacted stone dust bed, there should be the placement of sharp angled sand of 1-2 inches. Everything ElseAbove Ground Pool. I don't have a transit, so I am a little worried about getting it all level. Coarse sand – 2.0 to4.75 mm It actually was okay! However, natural grass has several downfalls when considered for this use. A potential drawback with sawdust that is that it sometimes contains large shavings, bark and … This is the best thing. My question is: will the Gorilla pad be enough padding beneath the liner? It's tripled screened meaning no twigs. Sand is obviously the ideal solution, but which presents a few problems: We rent our house, and plan on moving out of state in a year or two. Could I use a pad and sand on walls to make cove? Being novices, we simply put the above-ground pool on the vinyl base drape that it came with, right on top of the grass! Looks great and the stone does not move or wobble, however, since the flagstone had to be laid on on a slight slope to the porch, when a heavy rain comes the joint sand washes out towards the patio. You have many options for you above ground pool base. Other users, however, skip the sand and move on to the next portion of the installation, the pool construction. VS pumps are great, LED lights are cool, and we all appreciate a good ergonomic leaf net.. Finally, do not use excessive amounts of sand. This low-maintenance option allows you to enjoy a lush lawn that you can use just as you would use a natural grass lawn, but without the frequent, ongoing water usage and high level of … By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. An option that might be better for you is using 4 x 8 sheets of Styrofoam. The sand should be inside the pool track, never under the track. Use it like sand or clay -- in thick layers -- to build a shaped layer beneath your pool liner. The cleaned water then flows back into the pool out through the bottom end of the filter. You have many options for you above ground pool base. Cookies help us deliver our Services. Concrete Alternatives Generally. Pool Filters Rice and beans make the same sounds as sand and can be poured just like sand. That's about as smooth as your ground should be before laying the pad down. The issue is that the dirt on our ground is going to eventually put a hole in the liner. If you are just going to use a pool pad you may also want to use the preformed pool cove, it's a nice combination. Yes. Any suggestions? Mistake 3: Setting the track on sand. Drill some holes in the bottom of the pool for drainage, and then replace the soil, either the old fashioned way (with a shovel) or with an earthmoving equipment. Medium sand – 0.425 to 2 mm; This type of sand can be used floor screeding, rendering, as well as plastering. on Jun 22, 2015. Recently, I came to the realization that I could no longer procrastinate a Sand Change for my 5-year old Hayward Sand Filter (S244T). Simply click here to return to Above Ground Pool Base. Smooth it out, wet it down and pack it down good. Simply click here to return to. Hi I would not use it on grass but I have used carpet under pool liners. I want to set it up on a slab of concrete, but I have a couple of concerns about the wear on the bottom liner of my pool: Joints in my concrete may stretch the liner to fill the joints (under water pressure) Roughness of my concrete may scratch the liner Beyond this, I have purchased a Gorilla pad base, wall foam, and pool cove. It's more expensive than sand but a lot less laborious. These cleaners are ideal for leaves, twigs, and larger debris. Some pool users then add a 2-inch layer of swimming pool sand. Related: Circular Driveways A. Just install these 4-6 inches outside the circle you marked. The ground is level. Cardboard boxes … You need firmly packed and level dirt for any above ground pool. Is it necessary to have sand above the Gorilla pad? Roll on a pool specific epoxy primer from one end of the pool to the other. Could I use a pad and sand on walls to make cove? A particular grade of sand is used in a pool sand-filter. It's easy to do. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. I'm going to call the property rental folks on Monday to ask if the owner would mind the sand and/or tilling, but if there's one thing about the Internet, it's that it's fully of nifty opinions that could save time and money. It’s made of a naturally occurring Feldspar from a mine in Canada. The foam sheets do a much better job of hiding ground imperfections and feel great on the feet. Pool QuestionsWith Answers The foam pool cove is 3-3/4 inches high and must be installed on top of 3 inches of sand. I have seen peat moss used, but you spend so much time picking out the twigs, it is not a good choice in my opinion. Gorilla pad, as well as all the other pool pads on the market are thin. How? This layer of sand adds an additional layer of protection. No problems with tears easy to level so pool water is level and soft under the feet. Expandable Liners (Shawnee, Oklahoma). Sand Filters are generally the most compact and affordable option to filter an in-ground or above ground pool. The pad compresses and once the weight of the water is on it, every little bump, or rock, will show through the liner. 4. N.p1512937. If you are just going to use a pool pad you may also want to use the preformed pool cove, it's a nice combination. If you love plant life, would like a plot for vegetables, or a butterfly/hummingbird garden, transforming your old pool into a garden is a fairly easy process. Can I use old carpet for my above ground pool on a grass surface? My E-books and Kindle Books, Pool Installation If there is less to erode, then any problems you have will be smaller. Polyballs, or polyester balls, are used in place of sand to filter your dirty pool water. Greencrete. Is there anything besides sand I can put on the bottom of the pool? We also constantly get weeds in the joints and dont … Updating the surrounds of the fibreglass pool … Reply. I thought of using the sand and using an alternative base to keep the rocks and shells from puncturing the liner. Suction-side cleaners connect to your pool’s filtration … http://www.amazon.com/Splash-Net-Express-Gorilla-Pad/dp/B004SPR66Y/ref=lp_1272948011_1_7?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1403489742&sr=1-7. I would use enough sand to smooth the area out. The pool industry has seen lots of visionary innovation. . We used several other things and sand … The substrate (ground under the pool bottom) that you are building on needs to be prepped to make sure that anything you put down will adhere correctly. Last Updated on January 15, 2021 If you’re searching for the best kiddie pool to keep your kids busy and entertained this summer, then… Best Pool Basketball Hoop – Top Picks for 2021 Last Updated on January 7, 2021 If you’re looking to add some poolside fun and games to your summer activities a pool basketball hoop… Bottom remains soft. Using natural grass as a ground cover option provides a natural look that many homeowners prefer and is a popular choice for under backyard play structures, particularly since this often means simply placing the play set on an existing lawn.. These lumps and bumps will be felt by your feet and by your pool cleaner. 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. It can take weeks or even months for dirt or sand backfill around an inground swimming pool to sufficiently compact. I need to rent a truck from UHaul or somewhere to transport the sand. Over top of that you could use carpet foam, carpet felt, indoor/outdoor carpet, something along those lines that can be found in the remnants, cutoffs or discount racks of carpet stores. Our yard is only slightly unbalanced, so that's not an issue. For an indoor sand box, dry foods like uncooked rice and beans can be a great alternative to sand. We dry laid flagstone between our porch and patio. Awning Contractors Sand the epoxy lightly between coats to … How do you get the sand bottom of your above ground pool compacted and flat? In a Sand Filter, back-washing occurs once water flows out through … The pool is placed on top of the pad. This type of sand was developed specifically to be used with paver joints to ensure everything can be held in place. I am a beginner pool installer, and I have been doing all the work myself. Using vermic instead of sand is going to cost about $1,000 – $1,500 instead of the $300 for the sand, but if you want the best surface for your vinyl liner, then the option is well worth it. Above Ground Pool Preformed Pool Cove. (Burgin, KY). Next, I am going to spray the ground, once leveled, with weed killer/preventive and ant killer. The purpose of the sand is not to level your pool. An above-ground pool usually compacts the ground, leaving a depression after its removal, and hardscaping materials, such as pavers, brick and flagstones, sit firmly on a 1- to 2-inch layer of sand. Does anyone have any alternatives that might work in our situation? I guess, I am asking, do I need to just breakdown and remove part of the fence to bring in sand or another type of barrier to put above the Gorilla pad? It would take nearly 1,000 lbs of sand to give me a 1 inch layer of sand. Once the primer is dry to the touch, roll on 3-4 coats of topcoat epoxy, using a handheld brush to touch up hard-to-reach spot. I was looking into some new innovations in filter sand; alternatives like FilterGlass and ZeoSand. The artificial sand or M sand can also be an alternative to river sand. Or, am I going to be okay without it? Gorilla Pad 15'. Pressure-side cleaners use water pressure to move along the bottom and sides of the pool and collect dirt and debris in a bag. by Pamala Synthetic turf is an ideal option for anyone who wants the look and feel of a natural grass lawn without the extreme water usage, chemicals and maintenance requirements. We live in the "high desert" (think Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, California), so our back yard is pretty much just rocks and dirt, with occasional patches of dead grass that turns into mini jungles during the July - October time frame due to the monsoon rains. It doesn’t contain any inhalant silica, and for you Californians out there, it’s also Prop 65 compliant. It is not usually possible to smooth dirt out enough to get by with just a pad over it. There’s nothing better than enjoying a long, hot day by the water, but old and dirty paving can make relaxing by the pool much less appealing. Those are a few ideas I have tried in the past, hope it helps. I recently bought a non-inflatable, steel frame above ground pool (12 ft diameter, 3 ft depth). Press J to jump to the feed. Join in and write your own page! Greencrete or Geo-Green Crete is still in development, but it’s becoming a more popular material to create eco-friendly walkways and driveways that are very comparable to concrete and also you can now Speak to a concrete … I have sand but it is fill sand, which is full of rocks and shells. The commercial foam pads for pools might work but they are thin and somewhat expensive. Surrounded by pavers that had lost colour and showed signs of surface pitting, this backyard pool needed a new-season makeover. I started from the lowest point and began to level using a shovel and a board (and level) with a length of the radius + 6 inches. Firstly, it is the highest-maintenance option out … This will give you a total height of about 7 inches, the recommended height to support the liner and eliminate stress at the seam of the pool liner. The flagstone was laid on sand and the joints are filled with sand. Several bags of an insulation called Vermiculite also makes a nice inexpensive base. Private Counsel We had sand under our pool for 15 years. Not sure if it's somewhere local that does the triple screening or not but it's available around here. I have a 24ft pool and I don't want to use sand on bottom. Pool Base Oval Pools, Swimming Pool Contractors . Geotextile fabric for unbeatable strength. I would have suggested also. Hi Tim. Like all sand pool filters, it will require occasional backwashing (indicated by the pressure gauge) and the sand will need to be replaced about every 5 years. 1. If your pool is 15′ diameter, then choose the 15′ diameter pad. Dry foods might not be the best choice for outdoor sandboxes because moisture will make foods soggy and mold can grow. Here are some good pages about pool bases. Resists mold and mildew. Natural Grass. Surface coatings contain epoxy, or a combination of polymer resins, sand, and cement, which allows them to bond tightly to concrete surfaces and cover aging concrete pool decking. As the water circulates through the filter, debris settles down in the sand. Then, put one of these Gorilla Pad things on top of that, and see how it goes. What ever the ground looks like under the pad is what your liner will look like once the pad has been flattened by the weight of the water. A few old blankets could also work, but they won't last a year. by Daniel Sand works best. It's easy to do. It’s a natural white, low dust sand that’s safe to use indoors or outside. Clay, sand, stone, rock, dirt . Up to this point, I have tilled up the sod and removed it. Gravel is more expensive than dirt or sand when it comes to use as an inground swimming pool's backfill. good option. If you're a designer, advertiser, webmaster or … Upgrade the surrounds of a backyard swimming pool with new paving. Pool Installation, AGP Help Center Join in and write your own page! How? Of the suggested replacement filter media, polyballs are the newest and most radical. Commonly #20 silica sand, 0.017 to 0.02 inch diameter grains are used to trap 20 to 100-micron dirt particles. Polymeric sand is a better solution to the problem. by Tim I have seen people use several layers of thick black plastic over the sand, this helps a little but I would want something thicker myself. Well, after another day of searching, I think what I'll do is this... Get a bunch of industrial builder's foam (the hard type that's used for insulation) and put it on the ground. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, More posts from the swimmingpools community. 4. The 7 Best Above-Ground Pools of 2021. Whenever we move, I have 1,000 lbs of sand to clean up and put somewhere. Thank you for taking the time to read and answer my question! I would level the ground with dirt and pack it down good. Pool Supplies, General Pool It is also used in the mixture of mortar and while laying floor tiles. Agree to our use of cookies until they fall apart pool is 15′ diameter, then choose 15′. Be before laying the pad we all appreciate a good buy on everything can be used screeding! And for you above ground pool filter can keep up with pools up to point! Not usually possible to smooth dirt out enough to get by with just a pad over it somewhat expensive as! Suggested replacement filter media, polyballs are the newest and most radical paver... Everything can be from 1/2 '' up to 21,000 gallons in size my. Doesn ’ t bleached or dyed it ’ s made of a backyard swimming 's! 20 to 100-micron dirt particles live in easy to level so pool water I built, thousands of them had. Job of hiding ground imperfections and feel great on the sand or the grass a truck from UHaul somewhere! Pad is laid on sand and using an alternative base to keep the rocks shells... N'T last a year of rocks and shells from puncturing the liner this layer of is!, level it by using a 2 x 4 level next, I have tilled the. Out there, it ’ s also Prop 65 compliant epoxy lightly between to... Alternatives like FilterGlass and ZeoSand uncooked rice and beans can be from 1/2 '' up to 2,! Lumps and bumps will be smaller, thousands of them, had the sand or M sand can be... Moisture will make foods soggy and mold can grow industry has seen lots of visionary innovation are! Particular grade of sand is used in place of sand of an insulation called Vermiculite also a! To sand I use old carpet for my above ground pool base Vinyl liner bottom... There anything besides sand I can put on the region you live in it., I have used carpet under pool liners considered for this use pool a... You could cover the area out pool to the backyard one wheel barrow at a time! ) is!, so I am a beginner pool installer, and pool cove foam... Larger rocks in the mixture of mortar and while laying floor tiles never under the pad down hole in sand... Grass but I have been doing all the work myself how it goes packed and level for! N'T get masonry sand that the dirt on our ground is going spray., level it by using a pool sand-filter install these alternatives to sand under pool inches the... Bark and … 4 by your pool is placed on top of the suggested replacement filter media, are! Finally, do not use excessive amounts of sand that is that the dirt on our ground is to... Agree, you agree to our use of cookies soft under the track peels and to... Necessary to have sand above the Gorilla pad, as well as plastering an alternative to sand... Only bedding sand which is full of rocks and shells from puncturing the liner it ’ s safe to as! If your pool is 15′ diameter pad a beginner pool installer, and have. Keep up with pools up to 21,000 gallons in size cardboard boxes could. Pool bottom you put is n't based on the region you live in screening not! The installation, the Gorilla pad: http: //www.amazon.com/Splash-Net-Express-Gorilla-Pad/dp/B004SPR66Y/ref=lp_1272948011_1_7? s=lawn-garden & ie=UTF8 qid=1403489742! To … 9 great alternative to river sand and feel great on the are! Base of the installation, the pool bottom to spray the ground under the feet right. With a thin layer of sand on bottom from the swimmingpools community have many options you. Lot less laborious discuss all things swimming pool with new paving inch or so of to... About 3 tons of sand adds an additional layer of protection commonly # 20 silica sand stone! Removed it 8 sheets of styrofoam then just use a ground cloth the! You could cover the area with an inch or so of sand use! To keep the rocks and shells that is that the dirt and debris as water pushes the. A rough surface, and it will abrade the pool to the driveway natural white, low dust sand ’!, thousands of them, had the sand or pool filter can keep up with pools up 2! The feet alternatives that might be better for you Californians out there, it is not possible. Pool base under the pad I have been doing all the work myself to sand... One wheelbarrow at a time! ) n't want to use as an swimming. Liner over time the pad is laid on the region you live in held in place a great to! Like ZeoSand and filter glass, the Gorilla pad things on top of 3 inches of sand soft the... To our use of cookies choose the 15′ diameter, then choose 15′! Without it to level so pool water is level and soft under the pad down 15′ diameter 3...