Just a quick question. (ok... the question is quick but the description is long...
My last above ground install (many years ago) used road-mix / screenings as the pool base and just a "skim layer of sand". Turned out to be like a slab of concrete and a great base.
I've seen online and (I think a few on various forums) that a few have used a road mix as well. Right now I've got appx 6" of screenings. Everything is level and it's like a perfect "slab" after 2 passes with the plate compactor. (I could park a car on this thing and not leave a mark).
I'll be using the Galdon Pool Cove and the ARMOR SHIELD (both just arrived). Since I have a butress free pool, I 've got the corrugated steel and metal straps for the supports under the bottom of the pool.
My neighbors pool also used screenings (we have very rocky / solid rock since we are on a big hill). On the corrugated metal, the "grooves" were filled in with screenings and then a layer of sand on top of that for the actual pool base. (He has no Happy bottom,. Gorilla Pad etc - everything has been fine with his install).
My question:
I've been told to just use the screenings for the pool base and go right over with the ARMOR SHIELD since the screenings are so darn smooth. Still . . . I'm thinking that I still need at least a "bit of masons sand" just to make everything nice and super-smooth (Even though our old pool literally just had the liner sitting on top of screenings for 10 years with no negative effects).
Can I get some opinions before I do my final prep?? Right now, I'm thrilled with the level and the smooth surface. I'm thinking that at thin layer of sand would make things extra smooth.
Any thoughts would be a big help.
My last above ground install (many years ago) used road-mix / screenings as the pool base and just a "skim layer of sand". Turned out to be like a slab of concrete and a great base.
I've seen online and (I think a few on various forums) that a few have used a road mix as well. Right now I've got appx 6" of screenings. Everything is level and it's like a perfect "slab" after 2 passes with the plate compactor. (I could park a car on this thing and not leave a mark).
I'll be using the Galdon Pool Cove and the ARMOR SHIELD (both just arrived). Since I have a butress free pool, I 've got the corrugated steel and metal straps for the supports under the bottom of the pool.
My neighbors pool also used screenings (we have very rocky / solid rock since we are on a big hill). On the corrugated metal, the "grooves" were filled in with screenings and then a layer of sand on top of that for the actual pool base. (He has no Happy bottom,. Gorilla Pad etc - everything has been fine with his install).
My question:
I've been told to just use the screenings for the pool base and go right over with the ARMOR SHIELD since the screenings are so darn smooth. Still . . . I'm thinking that I still need at least a "bit of masons sand" just to make everything nice and super-smooth (Even though our old pool literally just had the liner sitting on top of screenings for 10 years with no negative effects).
Can I get some opinions before I do my final prep?? Right now, I'm thrilled with the level and the smooth surface. I'm thinking that at thin layer of sand would make things extra smooth.
Any thoughts would be a big help.