Ground Preparation and Base for 18' Intex Pool

[JCummins]

We have an 18' Intex pool that we will be putting in a new location this summer. First we need to remove the sod and level the soil underneath. I have a few things I'm trying to figure out:

1. What should we use between the sand and the pool? Just a tarp, landscape fabric, a pool pad, foam? Maybe a combination and if so, what order?
2. I'd like to extend the cut area of the grass beyond 18' to prevent liner damage from weeder, etc. during lawn maintenance. So with that in mind, do I extend the base layers from 1st question all the way to the edge of the grass? (I'd like to keep the soil/sand covered to prevent it from entering the pool as much as possible.)
3. We take our pool down at the end of each season. But I'd like to leave the base (tarp, pad, etc.) up all year. Can the base layers withstand snow cover for a few months? The reason I'd like to leave it up all year is because I have young boys who have a hard time resisting the urge to dig large holes in the sand and throw sand everywhere. If I can keep the sand covered all the time, problem solved.

At our old house we dug out our grass and placed the pool directly over the sand. We didn't have any issues and it was relatively easy. When we moved, we placed it directly over the grass and I could feel the difference in my feet. Having it over grass made the bottom of the pool much softer than over sand. I'd like to continue to have a softer pool floor. I know we can put a foam layer under, but I'm not sure how exactly to do that and what other things/layers are needed. And if that would need to extend past the edges of the pool like I described in question 2 above.

I might have some other questions I think of later, but any help in the meantime is much appreciated. Thank you!

 

[kimkats]

The foam is the house siding kind of foam like you buy at Lowes or Home Depot. It makes for a nice smooth soft base for a pool. You will need to cut it to size and TRIPLE tape it with good tape. Center piece then the other two on either side meeting at the middle to keep the foam from allowing the liner to move the foam.

I would do:
-clear ground to level virgin dirt
-soak with round up to kill everything
-ground cover that comes with the pool
-foam pad

I don't think I would worry with sand if you are going with the foam pad. IF you don't go with the pad then the sand will take it's place.

I'd like to extend the cut area of the grass beyond

I like this idea! What I would do is do this and put landscape cloth on it THEN those wall building blocks that have the angled edges to help them make a circle around the pool. You might need to make two or so rows to go out as far as you want it. I would say rocks but the boys are likely to throw those so.......nope! Now you could put sand down on top of the cloth but that is up to you.

Can the base layers withstand snow cover for a few months?

This I do not know............My gut says put a tarp over it to keep the snow from sitting right on top of it but not really sure about this part.

Kim

 

[scout123]

The foam will give you the cushion bottom. Triple tape like Kim stated. I cut my foam to form the circle so it's under the pool. If you use foam, you don't need sand. Personally, I'd clear out the area and then lay a weed barrier fabric extending past the pool footprint. (to keep weeds/grass from growing around the pool, but letting splash out water go through to the ground.) Then put your foam and the pool. I put a tarp over my foam then the pool, but I don't think you need the tarp, although that might be best if you are going to take the pool down and leave the foam out. I used these to go around the pool and it makes for easy mowing, weed eating
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Mini-Flags...mmon-3-in-x-8-in-Actual-3-in-x-8-2-in/4686383 You'd place them on the edge of the weed block fabric.