Installing An Above Ground Pool On Concrete

by James Kirk
(Austin TX)

I am installing a 27 foot pool on a thick concrete pad. My husband ordered a gorilla pad for the bottom to sit on the concrete. Will this be enough or does he have to add foam or another kind of padding? He does not want to use sand.



Hi James. It depends on how rough the concrete is as to whether the Gorilla pad will be enough or not. The pad is thin, as they all are, but would work just fine over smooth concrete. I have used indoor/outdoor carpet, foam pool pads, carpet felt and Styrofoam sheets under above ground pools on concrete, all with good results.

Be sure to order the preformed pool cove to go with the Gorilla pad. This makes an ideal combination. You have to have a cove and these are ideal. Otherwise you have to bring in something like sand, dirt or peat moss. All of these things could wash out if you decide to hose the concrete around the pool, or if it is in an area that gets heavy rains.

If your concrete has the expansion joints, or any cracks, it is a good idea to fill them in with caulking before installing the pool. Most anything will show through the pad, especially expansion joints. Make the entire area as smooth as possible.

When the pool is up, and before the pad goes down, give the concrete a good vacuuming just to be sure it is hospital clean. It is so disappointing to get into your pool for the first time and stub your toe on a sharp object on the bottom of the pool, one you never noticed until your toe found it.