Rigid foam insulation for pool base?

[patp]

I have never owned a pool before so learning a lot as time goes on. I live in the northeast so this pool will come up and down every season I Purchased an Intex 15 x 48 metal pool frame. I also purchased the Intex Krystal clear saltwater system to be used. I have a 18x18 paver patio that I plan to install the pool on. Questions:
- can I install the rigid foam board on the entire patio or should only the pool have board under it? Also, what is the best thickness?
- I was planning on adding a tarp on top of the foam board before the pool goes up.
- anything I am missing?
I thank you in advance for any advice that is shared.

 

[kimkats]

Check to see what kind of pitch your patio has. Some have too much of a pitch to put a pool on.

If the pitch is small enough so the pool will not be over 1/2" out of level then you can put the board on as much of the patio as you want. Make sure to use 3 strips of tape on each joint of the board.

Not sure why you are thinking of adding the tarp on top of the board. What is your thinking on that?

 

[patp]

Thanks for responding to my questions! The tarp is simply to cover the pink foam board so it’s not so bright.

 

[kimkats]

Have you ever walked on a wet tarp??? SLIPPERY!!! VERY SLIPPERY! Might want to rethink that idea.

 

[patp]

Good point. Didn’t think about the tarp being slippery. What thickness for the foam board is best? I was thinking 1 inch not sure if that is too much.

 

[kimkats]

I think the 3/4 would work but have not done it myself so not 100% sure. Go look at the different ones and see how much pressure they can take from the heel of your shoe.

 

[mikepier]

The 2X2 interlocking foam mats work good also.

 

[Rand K]

My pool is on a round retainier wall enclosed crushed stone platform with 2” foam between the liner and the stone.
This will be year 7 and, probably because of buoyancy, no one is heavy enough in the water and there are no noticeable compressions in the foam.

 

[barenstam]

I installed an Intex 15" ultra pool four years ago. I remove the lawn to form cut a 16' diameter area from my lawn and got it perfectly level. Then I bought eight 4x8 sheets of 1/2" rigid foam and taped the seams so I had a 16x16 square. Then I cut a 15" diameter circle from the square. I placed the foam circle in the prepared area in the yard and set up the pool on top of it. No sand, no tarps. I took the pool down after the first season but now I left it up over the past several winters.

 

[JimR1998]

We had a 12' round Intex on our driveway that was used for 3 summers, taking down over the off-season. We used the cheapest indoor/outdoor carpet we could find at Home Depot which looked like astrotruf. No issues and it's still good. Cost was 40-50c sqft. If you use foam, the 1/4" fanfold XPS is probably fine. I don't think you gain anything by adding thickness. Gorilla pad or anti-fatigue mats should work for you too.

 

[Rand K]

2" Owens Corning on 3/4 compacted stone.