Pool Base On Concrete Slab

by Drinms

I am installing a 24' AGP on a level concrete slab. I live in Mississippi and cannot find foam board insulation thicker than 3/4". I am thinking about using 8lb carpet pad - will that work, or should I go with a double layer of foam board?

Hi Drinms

Any of the above options would work just fine. Concrete is so easy to work on, not much of a pad is needed. I have used indoor/outdoor carpet, felt carpet pad, all thicknesses of foam, foam pool pads and probably a few other things.

On concrete there is no reason to go heavier than the 3/4" foam, so that would work just fine.

When working on a slab I do recommend the preformed pool cove. It is ideal for this situation and you never have to worry about water outside the pool damaging anything inside the pool.

Above Ground Pool Preformed Pool Cove

Granny in Utah with Pool Question

by Lynda
(Brigham City, Utah)

I would first like to thank you for this web site. All the questions and answers have been VERY helpful.

We recently purchased our "last house" and have AWLAYS had a nice permanent above ground pool...but...we were told that the city we live in will not let us put up a pool that doesn't come down.

So...I'm thinking of settling for a Metal Frame pool 15'x48'. I need to hurry and decide as the guys doing our RV cement work will be here the end of this week. I was thinking of having a cement pad poured to set this pool up on each spring.

From reading your answers it sounds like it's okay to do that (set it on cement). What's the very best thing to put on top of the cement before setting up the pool?

I have been SOOOO discouraged since we found out we can't have the pool we bought, had shipped and then had to sell. Now I'm at least optimistic that I might have some kind of pool to exercise in. Again, I think you're GREAT to help people out this way. Have a good day, Granny.

Hi Lynda

Yes, a concrete slab is ideal for a soft sided above ground pool. Indoor-outdoor carpet makes a perfect pad to set the pool on. Carpet felt works also as well as the pool pads they sell for above ground pools. You would even be fine just laying down some landscape plastic to set the pool on, it would just be a little harder on the feet.

Installation of Pool on Concrete

by oso
(new jersey )

Do you have to attach the bottom pool rails to the concrete with screws or anchors when installing an 18ft above ground pool on concrete? I have looked through your forum and have not seen and answer. Thank u for your time, its greatly appreciated!!!

Oso from New Jersey

Hi Oso Once I have the pool perfectly round I use duct tape and tape all the footplates to the concrete. That way I can make the needed gap adjustments easily when installing the sidewall. Once the pool has water in it the tape is no longer needed.

Metal Frame Intex pool on Uneven Concrete

by Nicole
(NEW YORK)

Hello, I have a 14 x 42 metal frame Intex pool I would like to install on the upper part of my driveway. What is the best way to level the pool? Do I have to build a wood platform with studs or can I just use pavers or something like that under some legs to level it? Thank you!

Hi Nicole
The best way to level a concrete slab is with a wood frame as you suggested. Fill the area with dirt or granite and then level the ground perfect. Be sure to set the posts on blocks.

Why do I need a pool pad on concrete slab?

by Isabella
(New Mexico)

Do I really need a pool pad and cove if I'm installing an above ground pool over a concrete slab? If so, why?

Hi Isabella If this is a soft sided pool neither is needed. With a steel wall pool they are both highly recommended. You have to have a cove and the preformed cove is the best option. The pad gives the liner a little protection from any imperfections in the concrete and makes the bottom a little softer on the feet.

Level The Bottom Rail On Concrete

by Teresa Stills
(Waynesboro, GA)

I have a 24" above ground pool. It is setup on concrete which is not level. What can I put under the pool legs that will not hurt the liner in order to help level it? Please help - my kids are driving me crazy.

Hi Teresa Of course there is nothing specifically made for this purpose but I do have some ideas. We used to set up display pools on a very unlevel parking lot. We used a lot of roofing shingles and a lot of sand.

The shingles work well as they can be stacked in such a way as to make the rise and fall gradual.

Extra sand is needed to level the concrete under the liner. It is nearly impossible to install a smooth liner if the ground under the liner is not level. When all the water goes to one side before the other wrinkles develop. We would try to keep the inside of the pool as level as possible and this helps with the liner installation.

When raising areas over 1 1/2" 2x4 lumber works great. Using the lumber with the shingles will save on the cost of shingles.