What Is Pool Krete
Pool KretepoolsPool Kretepoolpool
Besides, how long does it take for pool krete to dry?
24 hours
Likewise, how do you mix vermiculite in a pool? You will need Portland cement on hand to complete the mix. The ratio is 2 bags of Vermiculite to 1 bag of cement. The Vermiculite and cement go into the mixer and then you’ll add about two and a half 5-gallon buckets of water, until you reach an oatmeal consistency that you can trowel easily.
Also asked, how much pool krete do I need?
One bag of Pool–Krete covers approximately 10 square feet. The recommended thickness of the Pool–Krete should be between 1-1/2″ to 2″. The accuracy of the excavation will determine the number of bags of Pool–Krete needed for the job. If the hole is cut too deep or too large the requirements will increase.
What is the best base for a swimming pool?
Mason sand or stone dust base material is used most often. Mason sand, also known as pool sand, will create a very smooth bottom layer and is the most popular choice.
We No Longer Sell Pool
A foundation of Pool-Krete will help any vinyl linered pool and its vinyl liner last longer. The Pool-Krete foundation is much easier to apply and less expensive to maintain than those with sand or concrete foundations. |
Pool-Krete Pre-Mix Is the preferred brand of vermiculite and portland cement blend with special additives to aid in mixing, placing and trowling. Pool-Krete is packaged in a bag of approx. 2 cubic feet and then placed into a box for shipping. It only requires the addition of water at the jobsite. Repairing your vermiculite pool base just does not get any easier than this! Mixes quickly and easily in a 5 gallon bucket. Simply mix to the consistancy of a milk shake and either pour or scoop into the area that needs to be repaired. Use a “Bull Nosed” trowel to smooth into place. Pool-Crete Dries quickly to form a firm pool base. Not happy with the results? Not a problem, simply wet with a hose and give it another try!
Strong Pool Krete Mixer & Pump Vermiculite Pool Bottom
When it comes to the substrate that you are putting in your pool you can do
- Sand
- Vermiculite pool bottom, also called pool krete
- Concrete Pool Floors
This article will talk about a vermiculite pool bottom.
Vermiculite is one type of pool bottom you can pour for your inground swimming pool. Strong is the leader in vermiculite for the swimming pool market. Strong premix pool krete is easily applied and gives a perfectly formed bottom so the liner will not slip or wrinkle.
The pool krete can be mixed with a paddle mixer from a local rental shop, however, never try to use a tumbler. Pool contractors that do multiple vermiculite pool bottom, generally use a special mixer and pump directly from Strong Manufacturing, the makers of pool krete. The mixer and pump give a perfect consistency throughout the entire pool so you dont have to worry about some areas being too dry or wet.
The pump and mixer allows you to pour an entire vermiculite pool bottom with 3 guys and much less time.
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Vermiculite Vs Grout Vinyl Liner Pool Bottom: Which Is Better
Installation & Construction | Vinyl Liner Pool Information
Planning a new vinyl liner pool and unsure what to do with the floor? Although River Pools now specializes in fiberglass pools, we started out working only with vinyl liner pools, and we want to share our knowledge so you can make the best decision for you and your family.
The two most common materials for the bottom of your pool are vermiculite and grout. Whichever material you choose, youll apply it right on top of the soil with a round-edged pool trowel, and then the liner goes on top of it. So whats the difference between vermiculite and grout for your vinyl liner pool base? And which is better?
Buying Mixing And Applying Vermiculite To The Pool Floor

Vermiculite is the usual choice of floor material for inground vinyl liner pools. it is not the cheapest option for your floor, but it is long lasting and one of the easier floor materials to install. This article covers the necessary steps and supplies for installing your own vermiculite and cement pool floor.
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How To Repair Vermiculite Pool Base
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Trowel
Tip
Purchase vermiculite at most home improvement stores and pool supply companies. You can rent submersible pumps at home improvement stores. You will need to purchase a new pool liner rather than re-installing the old one. If you are replacing the entire vermiculite base, rent a concrete mixer from a home improvement store, or consider hiring a pool professional to do the job.
Vermiculite is a mineral often mixed with concrete and used in the construction of pool bases and other building projects requiring a solid floor. It can also be used to soundproof rooms as well as be added to potting soil. Vermiculite pool bases can become cracked and damaged over time, which is usually caused by a puncture from inside the pool. Repairing minor cracks and gouges in a vermiculite pool base can be done at home without professional assistance.
Drain all the water out of the pool by placing a submersible pump into the deepest end of the pool and turning it on. Drain the pool water into the sewer line, which is usually located in the front yard of a home and has a square plastic cap on top. Use a wrench to open the cap, and attach the hose from the submersible pump to the pipe.
Remove the pool liner as directed by the manufacturer’s instructions.
Pour one part of vermiculite powder and three parts of cement into a five-gallon bucket. Slowly add water to the mixture until you achieve a thick mud-like consistency.
References
Pool Krete: How To Build The Base For Your Inground Swimming Pool
Pool-Krete® is a porous but rigid liner base which offers numerous benefits to both the pool installer and the pool owner. With no waste and minimal clean up, this professional approach to hard bottom installations results in greater customer satisfaction and can result in increased referral business.
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Lumpy Pool Krete Bottom Of New Liner Replacement
We’ve just had a new vinyl liner installed and the PB did a horrible job. When we walk on the bottom of the pool, under the liner, the pool krete is lumpy and bumpy with pebble like stones occasionally. It’s almost like they didn’t trowel well while doing the concrete. The bottom edge where the wall meets the bottom of the pool is also not a true 90 degree angle it’s more like a J curve where you can use your toe push the liner in and not hit anything solid. I assumed that the the bottom would be smooth like our old sand bottom but it’s not.
Are we being too picky or is this bad workmanship? Of course we’ve already paid them in full. We keep calling to get them to come and work on it, but i think the only way to remedy this is to pull the liner out and start all over again.
I’d like some unbiased opinions. Thank you so much!
How Is Pool Floor Vermiculite Mixed
Vermiculite is mixed on site and in a cement mixer called a paddle mixer, which can be rented at any rental shop. You will need Portland cement on hand to complete the mix. The ratio is 2 bags of Vermiculite to 1 bag of cement. The Vermiculite and cement go into the mixer and then youll add about two and a half 5-gallon buckets of water, until you reach an oatmeal consistency that you can trowel easily.
Leave it in the mixer for about 20-30 seconds and that should do it. If it seems to loose and runny, add less water and if its too stiff, add more water to the next mix. In the picture below, the fellow on the right is dumping from the mixer into the wheelbarrow, and then moving the mixture to the areas where its needed. In the middle picture, they are bringing in buckets full of the mixture and in the left side picture, these guys are taking the easy route. They are using a combination cement mixer and pump, and are spraying the mixture down before troweling it smooth faster and easier!
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Swimming Pool Crete Pool Base
What is Pool Crete Pool Base? Pool Base or Pool Crete Premix is a quality blend of expanded vermiculite, Portland cement, and admixtures designed to be mixed with water and troweled to form a long-lasting hard bottom for in-ground vinyl-lined swimming pools. The proper use of Pool Crete Pool Base will enhance the quality of the pool installation and prolong the life of the vinyl liner. Pool-Crete is a porous but rigid liner base which offers numerous benefits to both the pool installer and the pool owner. With no waste and minimal cleanup, this professional approach to hard bottom installations results in greater customer satisfaction and can result in increased referral business.
Learn More About Pool Crete Application Here: DIY Pool Crete Application
To Be Safe We Recommend Adding 10 Extra Bags Of Pool Crete Pool Base This is not a something you want to run out of during application.
Pool Crete Tools Required:
- Trowels approximately 4 x 12 round-edged and flexible
- Mortar Mixer or Pool-Krete® Mixer/Pump
- Five Gallon Bucket
- Wood Floats approximately 4 x 18
- Wheelbarrow
How To Install Your Pool Floor
Before troweling in the vermiculite you want to have your pool bottom approximately 2 below the finished level. This is done with string lines throughout the pool bottom to the finished grade or depth of the pool floor. To install your vermiculite pool bottom you will need:
- Cement Mixer
- 4 to 6 five-gallon buckets
- Garden hose or water source
- Shovel, a steel bullnose trowel and a wood float
Mix up for 20-30 seconds, dump the mix into the wheelbarrow underneath the mixer, then shovel into the 5 gallon buckets, and hand them down into the pool. Bring the buckets to the deep end back wall and start dumping them in place, ready for troweling from the bottom of the hopper pad, up to the wall panel. it is easier to go from bottom of the side slopes, and work your way up to the top. Use the wood float for support and tamping, as you trowel the mixture smooth and level with the bullnose float.
After the back wall is complete work on the side slopes. After these are complete, you can start on the hopper pad and then work up the slope from deep end to shallow floor. The last area to do is the shallow area and either back yourself into the walk-in step or into a corner so you can easily get out without stepping on the troweled bottom. See picture at top of page.
If you have any other questions or concerns about installing your vermiculite pool floor / pool bottom on an inground vinyl pool kit give us a call at 800-288-7946.
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Re: Problems With Pool Krete
Hi, it sounds like the ground settled on the outer edge of the pressure plates. That is fairly common. That probably would have happened no matter how firm the pool krete was. It is possible to drain the pool, just not into the deep area, repair and refill ASAP. I have done that. Or you could wait until your first liner change.As for how long to let the stuff dry. I have very little knowledge there. I could not say for sure if that would have made a difference or not.Hope it works out OK, Dennis
AG pool installer
Pool Base Materials: Portland Vermiculite And Pre

I know, I wish we could just lay the liner down and call it a day but every swimming pool needs to have a base. The purpose of the swimming pool base is to provide a smooth surface for the pool’s liner. A smooth surface is less abrasive on the liner and makes it easier to keep the entire pool clean. There are four choices to use for the pool base.
SAND
Sand is the most economical option out of the four however not really the best. It can work well in pools with play or sports bottoms or simply put pool’s that do not have a steep slope. The amount of sand needed will vary by pool size. The larger the pool, the more sand you will need for the bottom.
The sand used should be mason’s quality and spread about 1″- 2″ thick. Keep in mind, this type of floor material is much more likely to leave foot prints and impressions that you can still see even after the liner has been installed.
SAND & PORTLAND CEMENT
The combination of sand and Portland cement is the next step up from using sand and merging the two materials will form a hard floor free of those pesky sand footprints.
Portland cement is available from your local hardware store. This is one of the more common floor bottom materials used by our DIY customers.
VERMICULITE & PORTLAND CEMENT
Vermiculite can be purchased in 4 cubic foot that must be mixed with Portland cement or in 42 lbs bags that is already mixed with Portland cement.
PRE-MIX
*94 lbs bag of Portland Cement
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Problems With Pool Krete
Last June, we had a 18 x38 doughboy pool installed with a 7ft. deep end. After a frustrating first few weeks, finally had pool up and running in July. Now this year we have noticed a sunken “path” in the shallow end of our pool, like maybe ants or a mole. Our contractor installed pool krete and immediately sunk the liner. Anyone know if that is how it is supposed to be done? I contacted him because we were still in our one year warranty, and he said he can’t control the moles or things under the pool krete. I thought that once the pool krete set, that is was hard enough to prevent anything coming up from beneath. Any ideas or suggestions.Thanks,
- 475
How To Install And Apply Pool
Tools Required
- Trowels — approximately 4″ x 12″ round-edged and flexible
- Mortar Mixer or Pool-Krete® Mixer/Pump
- Five Gallon Bucket
- Wood Floats – approximately 4″ x 18″
- Wheelbarrow
About the Excavation Naturally, the excavation of the pool area should be as accurate as possible after carefully reading the pool manufactur’s specifications. The recommended thickness of the Pool-Krete® should be between 1″ to 2″.
If the pool manufacturer’s specifications are finished dimensions, an extra 1″ to 2″ will be needed to accommodate the hard bottom and hopper walls. Carefully set up string lines to accommodate the proper thickness of the Pool-Krete®. Use re-bars to connect the lines as illustrated.
Important:
Note: After excavation, the bottom and hopper wall should be fine graded with a shovel to the line and raked free of excess loose dirt. Loose dirt and rocks should be removed. Do not tamp or attempt to pack loose debris as this will result in a non-suitable base for the Pool-Krete® and will encourage erosion of the bottom and sides.
Benefit: Pool-Krete® properly installed will outlast packed sand or sand/cement bottoms due to its high adheasion characteristics which prevents wash-outs and liner abuse due to abrasions.
Any recesses left by over digging or rock removal should be dry-packed with Pool-Krete® and allowed to stiffen before the bottom is installed.
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Where To Buy Pool Vermiculite
Finding it locally in your area can sometimes be difficult. First, I would check with nearby hardware stores and also local pool dealers. Concrete supply stores and even commercial lawn and garden places. The easiest place to get the pool vermiculite youll need would be from In The Swim. We have 28 lb bags for about $1 per pound, with free shipping.
Buy pool floor vermiculite at the time you purchase your pool, and it can be delivered along with the pool kit, or you can buy local, just make sure that you use coarse grade vermiculite for your pool floor as shown in the image above. it is much easier to mix and work with than fine or medium grade vermiculite.
Another option is to call the two largest manufacturers of the product to see where it can be purchased in your area, they are Whittemore at 978-681-8833 and Schundler at 732-287-2244. These two companies are the major suppliers of vermiculite in the US.
There is another product that can be used, one of which is Perlite, a volcanic glass that has similar properties to vermiculite and can be installed instead of vermiculite. If you are having trouble finding vermiculite in your area, call a few large garden centers in your area, to see if they stock Perlite. Stone Dust also makes an excellent pool base.
What Is Vermiculite
Actual vermiculite is a mineral that expands when heated. What pool people refer to as vermiculite is a mixture of the mineral/clay vermiculite and Portland cement. You buy this mixture in bags as a pool base.
You bring a pallet of sacks to the pool site, mix it with water, load it up in buckets, and dump it down into the pool. That sounds cathartic, if you ask me.
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What Is Pool Crete
PoolPool Creteswimming pools
Keeping this in consideration, how long does it take pool Crete to dry?
24 hours
Furthermore, how much pool krete do I need? One bag of Pool–Krete covers approximately 10 square feet. The recommended thickness of the Pool–Krete should be between 1-1/2″ to 2″. The accuracy of the excavation will determine the number of bags of Pool–Krete needed for the job. If the hole is cut too deep or too large the requirements will increase.
Consequently, what is the best base for a swimming pool?
Mason sand or stone dust base material is used most often. Mason sand, also known as pool sand, will create a very smooth bottom layer and is the most popular choice.
How do you vermiculite a bottom pool?
You will need Portland cement on hand to complete the mix. The ratio is 2 bags of Vermiculite to 1 bag of cement. The Vermiculite and cement go into the mixer and then you’ll add about two and a half 5-gallon buckets of water, until you reach an oatmeal consistency that you can trowel easily.
9 Popular Pool Surfaces for Gunite, Concrete, Fiberglass & Vinyl Swimming Pools
- Tile: The great thing about tile is that it lasts for a long time.
- Plaster: This is the most economical interior for your pool.
- Pebble: