Foam Base For Oval Pool

My in laws want to tear down a lovely 18x33 above ground pool, no one wants to take care of it! I have been thinking about taking it to my house.

My question is, can I use 2" foam panels for the base of it? Thank you!



Hi. I have answered a lot of questions about using foam panels, and other base material, under an above ground pool. You may want to take a few minutes and read through some of them.

Pool Cove and Foam Pads

Gorilla Pad, Happy Bottom and Foam

Foam Under Vinyl Liner

Styrofoam For Above Ground Pool

The Best Above Ground Pool Base

Base For Above Ground Pool

Foam Pool Base

Pool Floor Pads

Pool Underlay


The problem you may have is dealing with the pressure plates. All oval above ground pools have pressure plates and you cannot leave them out. The problem is they stick up above ground level and are usually covered by a few inches of sand.

I converted a 15 x 30 oval so that I could use a foam base. I took out the raised pressure plates and replaced them with a wide thick piece of flat stock that ran down the entire side of the pool.

All oval pools have side braces. These braces are connected to channels. These channels are set into the ground with concrete blocks underneath them. The pressure plates are the only parts that go above ground level, and the only parts you need to worry about. Trying to piece foam sheets in and around them would be a little tricky. You may want to take a close look at the pool before deciding on the right pool base.