Pool Bottom

by Cindy
(Saskatchewan)

If you are installing an 18' pool on tamped clay like soil, do you have to use sand, or can you just tarp and then use carpet felt or Styrofoam?


Hi Cindy. Sand is just one of the many options for a liner to sit on. Styrofoam, carpet, Vermiculite and a store bought pool pad are a few others. The idea is to just use something soft under the liner. The nice thing about sand is it will cover up any uneven spots in the pool area. Sand will even cover small rocks, stones or lumps in the ground.

The drawback with some of the other base materials is that they are thin and whatever is underneath them will show through once the weight of the water is on them. Sometimes sand is used under foam, or pads, for the purpose of creating a smooth surface to lay the material on. The only problem with this is you will be making footprints in the sand while you are setting a pad over it.

Here are a few other pages regarding pool base material.

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