Elevated Pool Pad

by Jonathan C
(Grants Pass ,OR ,USA)

We are considering purchasing a 24 foot diameter above ground pool. Our back yard is fairly level with a slight grade. We live near a river and the water table is fairly high. In the summer the ground is nice and dry but come December/January it can get pretty soggy. We live in southwestern Oregon.

All that being considered my thought was to frame in a 30x30 area with ground contact pressure treated 2x8's and fill with crushed gravel, say 3/4 minus, for a total 6 inches and using a plate compactor every 2 inches for compaction and topping off the last two inches with all purpose sand and again using the compactor. In all I think it would look similar to a tightly packed raised garden bed, all leveled of course.

My questions then are: 1) Does this sound like a viable option for the pool we are looking at. 2) Should I even bother with sand as a layer of just go with crushed and compacted gravel up to the top and use sand just inside the pool under the liner. 3) Will a 30x30 box be sufficient for a 24 foot pool?

Thanks much...

Hi Jonathan

It sounds like you have done your home work. The 30 x 30 pad is perfect as is the base material. I would hold off on the sand and use it just inside the pool wall.