Sand Outside Of Pool

by Donna Connolly
(Manville, NJ USA)

I found a small pile of sand next to my above ground pool. What could be causing this?


Hi Donna. That would all depend on the type of base you have for your pool. If the liner is set on Styrofoam sheets it is probably nothing to worry about. If you have a sand base for your pool it probably means you have a leak.

Sand on the outside of the pool will usually accompany a wet spot and an indentation on the inside of the pool, usually in or near the cove area.

Check the ground carefully for any signs of moisture. Check inside the pool for any signs of an indentation in the sand. If a sink hole is found there is usually a hole in the liner, right in the middle of the indentation.

There are also times when critters could be removing sand from the pool. Gophers cause sink holes that do not always come with holes in the liner. They burrow up from under ground and the sand collapses down into the hole. The liner sinks down about 6 - 8 inches and usually hangs on at this point. If you push on the liner you come to the strange realization that there is nothing under the liner, it's a strange feeling.

I have seen ants move sand from the inside of the pool to the outside without making any holes. They did leave a very large sink hole under the liner.

My guess is if you are seeing sand outside the pool you are probably missing some on the inside. You need to find the damaged area, find the cause, stop it and fix the damage.