Rocks in the Base

[NE Surfer]

Hi, I’ve been digging down to get a level area to set a 24 foot round above ground pool. All the sod is removed and I’m in the soil that’s underneath the topsoil.

My question is, what size rocks are acceptable to be underneath the2-3” layer of sand? I have a lot of 1 to 1 1/2 inch diameter rocks mixed in with the soil that I am working through. It will be a lot of work to get rid of “all” rocks!

Please help!!

 

[Texas Splash]

Hello! You posted your question a few days ago, so this may be old news by now. Are you all set up yet? Curious if you installed any protective padding down between the liner and the ground. Rocks can certainly be troublesome. If you still need assistance, just let us know. Have a good day.

 

[NE Surfer]

Hi - thanks for checking in. I am still prepping and digging.

I am dishing out the middle and using an expandable liner, so not sure what options I have for a pad.

I tried asking on another thread about anyone who has tried dishing out the base and used XPS foam or if I should stick with sand. Would really appreciate some suggestions on using foam or padding and sand for an above ground pool with the dished out middle.

here are updated pics

 

[NE Surfer]

... since I am installing the deep section, I’m not sure that any pad will work on top or if geotextile fabric will work under the sand on the slope?

Also why I am wondering if anyone tried XPS on a slope and how it worked. How tightly do the XPS pieces need to fit together befor triple taping the seams?

 

[Texas Splash]

We'll keep bumping this thread and hopefully someone who has various padding experience will be able to reply.

 

[NE Surfer]

Thanks.

And even for those who didn’t use any type of padding whether they had a flat or dished bottom.

How “obsessive” do I need to be about getting all rocks / pebbles out if I use a 3” sand base over the dirt?

Is it more an issue of tamping the sand well at that point? Manual hand tamping enough?

thanks everyone!

 

[durtynacho]

I had all kinds of rocks under my last pool. I just used extruded foam board insulation under the pool and it kept the pool safe and smooth. 22,000 gallon pool so it was heavy, no problems.

 

[NE Surfer]

Thanks. Not sure I can use foam, unfortunately since I am digging out a deep end in the center?

 

[merc123]

Use a rake to take them out. I don’t think the dishes center matters so much with foam. It’s flexible if you get 1/2”.

You can take a hammer and hammer the rocks down. I made my own tamper out of a 2x8, 2x4 and car jack handle. If you wet it and let it soak you can tamp the rocks down. Mines about 2” long. I put the 2x4 on top of the 2x6 and drilled a hole through it to fit the handle then used screws to catch the jack handle lip. It’s crude but what I had on hand