Pool on rocky area

[angiern2004]

Hi,

I was considering getting a moderate size above ground pool. I don't want to kill the grass or take up our whole patio. Can I put one of these kinds of pools on top of an area that is made up of 'pathway fines'? Is there a style of pool you'd recommend for this? Is there a pad or some sort of base you'd recommend over this as well?

 

[Texas Splash]

Hello and welcome to TFP! By pathway fines, do you mean basically very fine composite material? As long as it's very fine, stable, and level (within one inch from side to side/end to end) it should work. You would need something between it and the liner of course because any small perforation would mean disaster for the pool liner. Lots of pressure pushing downwards on the floor, not to mention swimmers and their feet jumping up & down. Many pool owners use various insulation panels or items like Gorilla Pads to help protect the liner. You might look into some of those products. Thanks for posting.

 

[angiern2004]

Like this (not where we bought it, but this is similar)...

Blue Pathway Fines

Blue gray color ¼ inch to dust crushed stone. Compacts easily to provide an excellent base for flagstone or to create a decorative pathway.

ansmaterials.com

 

[angiern2004]

Can I put plywood or thick foam underneath the pool?? Would that be sufficient as long as its level??

Looking at a small-ish Intex, either easy set or the metal frame kind.

 

[Texas Splash]

Can I put plywood or thick foam underneath the pool?? Would that be sufficient as long as its level??

You can. Any foam or insulation panels/pads should be taped together. Plywood .... ummmm..... not sure how well that would hold-up on the soil, especially if it gets moist. If everything is flat and remains dry it may be okay. I might still drape a tarp or something over it

 

[angiern2004]

It is the rocky area, so not right on top of dirt. So I could do plywood and tarp... or if I do foam do I need to cover that, and is there a specific kind of foam and tape that works best? I'll go straight for whatever is tried and true.

 

[Texas Splash]

Just out of curiosity, can you post a pic of the area so we can see how rocky it is?

 

[Pv2]

you will need to triple tape the insulation boards, trust me. also some people use those puzzle connector foam floor tiles (also taped).

 

[angiern2004]

Here's the side of our house that rocky where I wanted to put a pool. The weeds have been removed and obviously the junk too. What do you think? Working on preparations to sell, so I don't want to kill the grass.

 

[angiern2004]

And, I bought a 10' x 30" Intex Quick Set pool. If that helps. I would have loved one 36"-42" deep but can't find that at a smaller diameter at a reasonable price.

 

[sammckin]

Now that I see the pictures I think you would be fine with rigid insulation, you might want to go 1 inch or thicker, triple taped seems like others said. I would level that ground, set my pavers, put down foam and build the pool.

 

[angiern2004]

I can't level the rocky area. It's graded to a drain that's in the middle of the denser part of the weeds (in the photo, weeds since removed). I would have to hope that the part of the rocks nearer the yard was flat enough.

It's ok though. I bought a bigger pool than will fit there, so I just have to be ok with killing a circle of grass and hoping whoever buys our house this summer doesn't care. Hopefully they'll get it with the quarantine and all.