What Will Happen If My Intex Pool Is Not Level
Installing an Intex pool on an uneven surface will cause the walls to collapse due to uneven pressure. The water presses against one section of the pool with more force than the rest and it will be blown out due to uneven weight distribution. Even the most well-constructed pool can fail if the leveling is off.
How To Put Pavers Under Pool Legs
Putting pavers under your above ground pool legs is a fairly straightforward process. You begin by leveling the ground.
Dont add topsoil and tamp it down, but instead remove any unevenness until you have a solid, level base. I recommend using a level or laser level to ensure everything is as precise as possible.
Next, you will need to mark out the location of each leg and dig down so you can place the blocks beneath. A standard shovel or hand trowel should be just fine for this job.
You can opt to lay an entire foundation if you prefer. However, if you choose this route, ensure that the pavers are perfectly level. Any edges that stick up will scratch and puncture your pool liner under pressure.
Youll want to add some gravel or sand in the holes if youre not already using a sand or gravel bed under the pool. You can skip this step if you prefer, but it will help keep the paver level.
After that, double-check the pavers to ensure they are all level with the ground and each other. Laser levels are the best for this part of the process.
Once you have your pavers in place, you can build the pool up from there.
Can I Put Cardboard Under Above Ground Pool
If you want to cut costs without cutting corners, padding your pool with newspapers and cardboard is a good way to do it. You can find both materials at recycling centers, office supply stores, and even your local grocery store.
If you dont have access to a recycling center, you can make your own paper cups by cutting a piece of cardboard to the size of the cup you want to use. Cut the cardboard into a rectangle, then fold it in half to make a cup shape.
You can then cut out the cups and place them in your recycling bin.
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What Kind Of Base Do You Need For Above Ground Pool
Youll want to use a fine sand to fill in a 2 thick base wall-to-wall across the bottom of your pool. This will have sand coming up onto your cove as well in order to make the sand base completely level around the pool. While the fourth layer of your pools base is optional, a pool pad/liner pad should be strongly considered for several reasons.
What kind of sand should I use for an aboveground pool?
Use masonry sand as the base material for an aboveground swimming pool. Ensure that any sand you use is free of debris such as twigs, rocks or anything else that might puncture, rip or tear a pools vinyl liner.
How to install base for your above ground pool liner?
This is the completed above ground pool liner installation. The vinyl pool liner should be completely supported by the pool base to avoid any stress or damage to it or the metal pool wall. Using fine sand , lay a 3 thick bed of sand across the entire inside of the pool this will form your base.
We Have A Chart For That
It is commonly recommended by above ground pool manufacturers to have a 2″ sand base inside the pool, under the liner.
This will help protect your liner, and provide a soft floor that provides comfort while walking in your pool. Always use masonry sand, which is a washed sand, free of rocks and debris. This is widely available for delivery from earthworks, and landscaping centers.
For reference, we have provided a chart of sand requirements for common pool sizes below but for extra installation tips for above ground pools using a sand base see this link!
The actual amount used in the pool may vary depending on the excavation and liner type used. See the base order of operations image below the sand chart.
View our guide on the 17 steps to installing your Round Above Ground Pool here.
Didn’t find the answer you were looking for? You can always contact us at [email protected] or choose the category below to see our most frequently asked questions for that topic:
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Use A Pool Pad Or Risk Doing It Again
If your still on the fence about investing in a pool floor pad think of the cost to buy another liner, install it, buy water again and still have to buy the pool floor pad anyway if you have a critter problem. Everyone with an above ground pool that lives in Florida should seriously consider this product. It does go under the pool liner so it can only be added during the liner install or during the pool build. But its important you do this right and do not buy some knock-off pool floor pad or worse yet, plastic sheeting, weed barrier or Styro-foam from Home Depot, this is a waste of money. The cost of Armor Shield pool floor pad varies by size and shape of your pool so there is a button below to show you prices of the different size liner pads.
What Is The Best Thing To Put Under A Pool
Before looking more at some solutions for leveling your above-ground pool, you need to know how to level your pool to offer good protection for the stability of your pool and ensure your several layers of padding do what they are supposed to do.
Here are the installation steps for above-ground swimming pools.
If the chosen location has sod, youll need to follow the steps below:
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Who Is This Article For
This article is primarily for people wanting to put up an inflatable pool, kiddie pool or another lower end above ground pool in their backyard. It isnt for the permanent above ground pools.
Who is this article NOT for?
As mentioned above, if you have a large or expensive above ground pool follow the advice of the manufacturer or installer because using something other than whats recommended may void your warranty.
And you dont want thousands of gallons of water rushing out of your pool because you did something wrong.
What if I have a cheap above ground pool that I want to put down on my lawn?
This is honestly the boat Im in.
I dont have an expensive above ground pooland where I live we only have about 2 months when we can use the pool so Im not going to dedicate a big portion of my yard for a permanent installation. Im not going to truck in tons of mason sand to prep a base for it.
So in my case and maybe yours too I do need something to help protect the pool liner from stuff under the pool because Im going to put the pool right on the ground and not have a compacted sand base.
Obviously this half-baked approach isnt suited for expensive pools, permanent installations or large pools.
Wherever you put your above ground pool and whatever you put under it, make sure the ground is level and free of debris before setting up your pool.
What Is The Best Padding To Put Under An Above Ground Pool
Pre-cut floor pads are used to cushion and protect the bottom of above ground pools.
Unlike old pool foam padding, which can be easily cut or pierced by grass, roots, or rocks under your above ground pool liner, Gorilla pads are made from a high-density polyurethane material that is impervious to water, dirt, and other debris.
The pads come in a variety of colors to match your pools décor. They are also available in two different sizes to fit different sized pool liners.
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What Should I Put Under The Legs Of My Intex Pool
The stability of the legs is vital to a sturdy Intex pool. You should NOT put the legs directly on the ground, they will sink in once the weight of the water is pushing down. You SHOULD put a wood block or concrete paver under each leg. The paver should be at least 1ft x 1ft in size and should be level with the ground.
Why You Need An Above Ground Pool Pad
Vinyl pool liners are pretty tough, but they can only withstand so much. And even though you might make every effort to remove anything sharp from the ground underneath, a sharp rock, root, or even glass will eventually make its way to the surface.
These items can puncture or tear your liner, causing it to spring a leak thats not so easy to fix. Liner pads provide an extra layer of defense against this situation. Theyre made from a tough fabric that will keep sharp objects at bay.
Not only that, but they also provide a little padding for your feet. Imagine if those sharp objects will poke through your pool how theyll feel on your feet!
Additionally, pool pads provide a vapor barrier that prevents a lot of the moisture that corrodes the metal on your pool.
It basically prolongs the life of your liner and makes swimming more comfortable.
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Mole Damage To Above Ground Pool
We have moles in the yard. It appears that they have gotten under out pool liner in one spot. What can happen to the pool, or liner, with these tunnels that have sunk in?
Is there anything we can do so this does not keep happening?
When moles get under an above ground pool and make a tunnel, the sand drops down, the liner drops down and you have an indentation in the liner with nothing under it. That means the slightest amount of pressure from a sharp object will cause the liner to burst open, usually draining the pool very quickly.
When these holes occur its best to drain the pool and put a piece of steel over the hole, redo the sand and refill the pool. Its not easy, but if you can do this while leaving a little water in the pool you are better off. A completely drained pool will cause the liner to shrink and shift.
If you just do the repair you will then want to get rid of the mole. If getting rid of moles is not going to be possible, you may want a more permanent solution, like putting the pool on a pad of concrete.
A less expensive, and less effective, solution is to use a layer of something like Gorilla Pad, carpet or Styrofoam under the liner.
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Can I Put A Pool On Grass
Installing an above-ground pool in a natural grass area is not an option, especially when the water needs to be removed during the summer.
Natural grass and above-ground swimming pools do not mix for assorted reasons, one of which is that the pool will destroy the grass.
You must first pick where to put an above-ground pool before deciding what to put underneath it. Kiddie Pools may be ok as these dont contain as much water and can easily be moved to another area.
Grass, concrete, pavers, dirt, a patio, and decks are the most popular areas.
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What Do You Put Under The Pool Legs
On top of each leg of your above-ground pool, place a 1ft-by-1ft concrete block paver. These blocks can withstand pressure and are resistant to mold, insects, and other types of degradation.
You wont harm the pool legs over time if you cover them with pavers, and you wont have to dig them out later to remove them.
What To Put Under An Above Ground Pool
Many pool owners opt for above ground pools because they are super easy to install and are less of a long-term commitment compared to inground pools. You simply need to set up the walls and floor of the pool, secure it, and fill the pool with water.
However, one thing to keep in mind with above ground pools is that they need something stable placed under the pool. Your yard is not the most stable foundation and can quickly shift when it rains. If the yard shifts, your swimming pool is at risk of getting damaged or spilling over. You could potentially put many different things under your above ground pool to stabilize it. So in this article, I will go over some of the main options and discuss the pros and cons are of each one.
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What Type Of Sand Should I Use
For your pools base, you want sand thats 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. While mason sand is the most popular choice, another option is concrete sand.
With filter sand, you should check the manual to see whats recommended for that specific pool sand filter. The grains of this kind of sand are generally between 0.45 and 0.55 millimeters.
Why Do I Need Sand For My Pool
When you think of sand, chances are youll probably think of the beach rather than a pool. Using sand to build a pool may seem unusual, but its crucial!
This is because sand is used to ensure a stable, even foundation for an above ground pool to rest on. And, sand adds a protective layer between the liner of the pool and the ground. If you were to use a different material other than sand for instance, dirt it could have little pieces of rock in it that can end up tearing the pool liner.
You also need sand to build an above ground pool is because the sand used to actually clean it. This kind of sand is called filter sand or silica sand, and it catches debris so that it doesnt end up in the pool water.
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Installing A Pool With A Sand Base Foam Cove And Liner Floor Pad
Step 1
Using fine sand , lay a 3 thick bed of sand across the entire inside of the pool this will form your base.
Step 2
After installing the 3 sand base, lay the liner floor pad on top. Please note your liner floor pad is pre-cut to fit your pools exact dimensions.
Step 3
Attach the pool cove directly on top of the liner floor pad by removing the adhesive backing and sticking it to the metal pool wall .
Step 4
This is the completed above ground pool liner installation. The vinyl pool liner should be completely supported by the pool base to avoid any stress or damage to it or the metal pool wall.
What Is An Above
An above-ground pool pad is a specialized piece of fabric thats designed to protect your pool liner from punctures caused by rocks, roots, or grass. A pool pad is placed underneath your pool liner, under the entire pool and adds an extra barrier of protection against bugs, debris, or anything else that might damage the liner, causing a leak.
Pool pads are constructed from a geotextile material, usually a polypropylene blend that looks and feels like felt. This isnt the felt your kids use in arts and crafts, however. Its an extremely durable material woven to withstand punctures, weed growth, strong roots, and even glass, with the goal of extending the lifespan of your pool liner as much as possible.
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Do You Put Sand Under An Above Ground Pool
Sand is the recommended base material upon which an aboveground pool should sit. Sand is used under an aboveground pool to protect the pools vinyl liner from rocks and objects that could tear the liner. Also, sand under an aboveground pool acts as cushioning for its floor, making it more comfortable for feet.
Bad Or Dirty Fill Dirt
There have been so many times in my 35 years of installing pools where the homeowner had a truckload of fill dirt dumped in their yard so I can use it for the pool install, but the fill dirt wasnt clean.
Fill dirt needs to be clean. It can have a bunch of rocks or sticks or construction trash in it. Using dirty fill dirt for an above ground pool is inviting you to have something sharp left under the liner.
NOTE: In almost all cases, a hard base material is NOT needed for installing an above ground pool.
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