Sand or Foam under Intex?

[MonicaSwims]

Hi there!
We are finally getting our 22ft Intex tomorrow and still working on ground prep. I've seen some posts saying we can use certain insulation foam under the pool instead of sand. It's going to cost us about the same either way but the foam would be much easier to handle. Which route do any of you suggest? Our ground is pretty hard with a lot of clay.
Thanks for the advice!

 

[scout123]

I've used both. I like the foam better because it's more of a cushion. It's quite a bit more expensive than the sand, but, imo, worth it.

 

[MonicaSwims]

Thank you! We have to get sand delivered to us so it's about the same price unfortunately. We will be doing the foam, seems like less work since we can get it ourselves.

 

[thefloatqueen]

Foam is what I would go with, but as long as the ground is completely level and pavers sitting flush with the ground, you should be good to go either way! PLEASE post pics after your new pool is up! I love pictures lol

 

[Shirker]

We had sand in our last above ground pool. I liked it just fine. But if I were ever to do it over again, I would at a minimum get the foam cove. I kept fearing that the sand would settle out of the cove and cause the liner to rip. Maybe a little unnecessary fear, but none the less, I would go with a foam cove.

Edit: Oh, the Intex might not have a cove. Not sure.

 

[thefloatqueen]

We had sand in our last above ground pool. I liked it just fine. But if I were ever to do it over again, I would at a minimum get the foam cove. I kept fearing that the sand would settle out of the cove and cause the liner to rip. Maybe a little unnecessary fear, but none the less, I would go with a foam cove.

Edit: Oh, the Intex might not have a cove. Not sure.

I don’t believe Intex have a cove? I could be wrong, though. ? When I get my “real” above ground pool, the cove will be a must!

 

[thefloatqueen]

We had sand in our last above ground pool. I liked it just fine. But if I were ever to do it over again, I would at a minimum get the foam cove. I kept fearing that the sand would settle out of the cove and cause the liner to rip. Maybe a little unnecessary fear, but none the less, I would go with a foam cove.

Edit: Oh, the Intex might not have a cove. Not sure.

Wow....I’m a dummy lol. I have an Intex and know it doesn’t have a cove since it isn’t steel walled (only the frame is). ??‍??‍ Lawd, I need my coffee nowwww! LOL!

 

[MonicaSwims]

We wanted the steel frame one but I waited too long to pull the trigger and the prices skyrocketed when everyone started buying them this year. One day! I will definitely post pics of ours though when done. We were trying to get it all done today before it rained but there just won't be enough time so Monday it is!

 

[Momofthreema]

We are putting up our 12x24 intex this week and this has been a point of contention. The husband thinks that the sand will be fine, but I just don’t know that it’s enough??? We are totally new to this and I don’t know what to do...the levelers come on Wednesday and we are hoping to swim over Memorial Day weekend?

 

[ravenstar]

We are putting up our 12x24 intex this week and this has been a point of contention. The husband thinks that the sand will be fine, but I just don’t know that it’s enough??? We are totally new to this and I don’t know what to do...the levelers come on Wednesday and we are hoping to swim over Memorial Day weekend?

I'm just putting my 12x24 up today up here in New Hampshire. Something about the snow on the ground a week ago made it hard to get motivated ?. I have used a sand base (not even very high quality sand -- lots of pebbles) for the last 10 some years that I rake over each year to smooth out before laying down the ground cover and that's always worked for me. Problem is the cover gets destroyed by the grass and wind and needs to be replaced every 2 - 3 years. Under the posts I have 16x16 pavers that I leave in place year-round and check for level each spring. Having said that, I just opened up the boxes this morning and realized I had thrown out the old torn up ground cover when I put things away last fall and I had forgotten to order a new cover, so I'm heading to the hardware store to get some 1/4" inch foam insulation to try out since it's the only thing I can find in stock nearby. I figure it only needs to keep the grass from growing into the pool, and maybe add a little protection from whatever stones are still left. It shouldn't be any less protective than the cheap tarp that came with the pool, and if it feels nicer or lasts longer, all the better.

 

[zea3]

Just remember, sand is for padding the floor of the pool and not for leveling the ground. Always dig down to firm ground to level the pool.

 

[Momofthreema]

Yup, the sand is just for comfort, the ground will be level

 

[MonicaSwims]

Yes, after some researching and realizing that sand is NOT for leveling, I figure we might as well go with the foam. It's so much easier for us to get since we can pick it up ourselves. And for some reason, sand is stupid expensive around me. We wanted to get started this weekend but it's pouring rain now so waiting til Monday.