Where To Buy Sand For AGP

by L. Miller
(Palm City, FL)

I have been online for hours searching for a place to buy sand. I live in S. Florida and cannot seem to find anywhere to buy it. I purchased a Splasher 12' x 48" round pool and the manual says to use 1.1 yards (1.4 tons) of "Washed Sand" or "Sifted Earth".

After looking around the net, it seems that "Washed Sand" is the same as "Masonry Sand" but I am concerned because stores call "Masonry Sand" course. The only places I can find that sell sand (like Home Depot or Lowe's) do not sell in bulk and I'd hate to have to buy 56 bags of sand at $3.98. Lowe's has "Play Sand" for 3.66/bag, is play sand usable?

Any help with these questions would be greatly appreciated;

What is "Washed Sand" & Where to buy in S. Florida in bulk?

Thank you for your help

Hi.

Yes, washed sand is similar to mortar sand, or masonry sand. It has been cleaned of all dirt and is uniform is size. I don't like any type of sand that comes in bags. For one it is expensive, two, it is not uniform is size. The sand is dirty, dusty and usually has sand from too small of size to pieces that are too large.

The best place to get your masonry sand is from a sand and gravel yard. They will scoop it up in a front loader and pile it in your pick up. If you don't have a truck, most places deliver. Another option might be Home Depot. The ones around here sell large burlap bags full of washed mortar sand, the perfect sand and the right amount for your pool. You would need a pickup also for these bags, they are big.

Bags Of Sand For AGP

by Elliot
(Suisun City CA)

I have about forty five bags of sand from a previous project. How many 50 lb. bags of sand would my 12' round agp need?

We would like the sand to be about two inches deep.

Hi Elliot.

You should figure on about a ton of sand for a 12' pool. That comes to about 2000 lbs or about 40 bags. It's important to have a sufficient base and it's also important to have a nice cove around the outer edge. Try to get at least a six inch cove.

I place the sand in the center of the pool until the wall is up before I spread it out. This keeps it away from, and out of, the bottom rails. When the wall is in place, and secure, I spread the sand and smooth it out. I finish it off with a push broom.

This page explains the process.

Above Ground Swimming Pool Installation

Base Sand vs. Filter Sand

by Sarah
(Ilinois)

We are getting ready to install our above ground pool. A friend gave us 1 ton of free sand to use for our base. Once we got it home, I noticed it's labeled "Filter Sand."

Will this work for the base, or will we have to buy official "masonry" sand? Thanks!

Hi Sarah.

I would go with a fresh clean batch of masonry sand. There are several advantages to doing this. The sand will be clean, no debris to cause a lumpy base under the liner. You would have a better chance of having the correct amount if it was ordered new.

The most important reason for new sand is that filter sand may be to fine for under a pool liner. If the filter sand is silica sand, most often used in filters, I wound definitely not use it. Silica sand is very fine and acts like small needles on the liner. I have seen this type of sand poke hundreds of pin holes in a new liner in a very short period of time.

When you start using your sand be sure to pile it in the center of pool like shown on this page.

Above Ground Swimming Pool Installation

You would then build the pool around the sand. The sand should only be used as a cushion for the liner to rest on, not the entire pool.