18x33 Above Ground Oval Pool Base

Instructions call for sand base, however, we were wondering if we could use an "Insulation" Base?

We have had a lot of rain as well and dug out our pool area as we want to extend our existing deck. We filled in with a "crusher dust" and becomes like cement once it has been wet so the soil should not be a problem.

Absolutely any advice you could give us would be appreciated.

Sincerely,

Gerry and Leslie Adam

Saskatchewan, Canada

Hi Gerry.

There are a lot of different pool bases you could use instead of sand. For an oval pool, sand is by far my favorite. It will cover all the pressure plates, smooth out real nice and pack enough to be virtually foot print free, if done correctly.

My biggest problem with Zonalite and similar insulation products is the footprints. Insulation does not pack the way sand does and it is next to impossible to install a liner over it without leaving footprints.

My other problem with Zonalite is when it comes time to do a liner replacement. When it is new liner time the sand is all well packed. It is then easy to re-smooth and it will stay smooth, much better the second time than the first. Zonalite is next to impossible to re-smooth. Once it is packed it stays that way. It is next to impossible to work with when changing liners.

There is a mixture of concrete, Zonalite and water that goes down wet and gets a trowel over it to make it smooth. This is used a lot with in ground vinyl pools and is a better option than just the insulation put down dry.