Rocky Soil for Pool

by Kent
(Indiana)

I am installing a 30' above ground pool. I have very rocky soil and I am concerned that a rock will puncture my liner. I was thinking about putting a tarp down and then filling with sand. Would this cause a problem? I am concerned that the tarp will not allow water to drain from underneath the pool.



Hi Kent. You should be able to level and rake the ground so that the majority of the rocks are gone. If you add a few inches of sand over that area the rocks should not be a problem. If there are so many you cannot get rid of them you should consider bringing in a load of crushed granite and leveling the area with that. It is very easy to work with and makes an excellent pool base.

Using a tarp under an above ground pool does create a drainage problem, if the pool ever leaks, that is. Most of my installations go up without plastic but I will use it if I feel the need. It’s kind of a trade off. If I feel there is an immediate threat from nearby tree roots or nut grass the plastic goes down. If the ground is to rocky for the amount of sand we have I would again use plastic.

Even with plastic you still need to do a good job of smoothing the dirt. But the plastic is a good way to keep the dirt and rocks separate from the sand as you are spreading and smoothing it.