Rocky Soil for Pool

by Kent
(Indiana)

I am installing a 30' above ground pool. I have very rocky soil and I am concerned that a rock will puncture my liner.

I was thinking about putting a tarp down and then filling with sand. Would this cause a problem? I am concerned that the tarp will not allow water to drain from underneath the pool.

Hi Kent.

You should be able to level and rake the ground so that the majority of the rocks are gone. If you add a few inches of sand over that area the rocks should not be a problem. If there are so many you cannot get rid of them you should consider bringing in a load of crushed granite and leveling the area with that. It is very easy to work with and makes an excellent pool base.

Using a tarp under an above ground pool does create a drainage problem, if the pool ever leaks, that is. Most of my installations go up without plastic but I will use it if I feel the need. It's kind of a trade off. If I feel there is an immediate threat from nearby tree roots or nut grass the plastic goes down. If the ground is too rocky for the amount of sand we have I would again use plastic.

Even with plastic you still need to do a good job of smoothing the dirt. But the plastic is a good way to keep the dirt and rocks separate from the sand as you are spreading and smoothing it.

Rice Hulls And Soft Sided Pools

by Lisa
(Roseville)

When using rice hulls with my Intex easy setup soft pool. Do I put the rice hulls under the tarp then place my pool down or my rice hulls on top of the tarp then put my pool down? Does it matter?

Hi Lisa.

I would spread out the rice hulls, smooth them out, and then put the tarp over them. This would add a barrier of protection against anything sharp that might puncture the pool. I think it would also make smoothing the bottom of the pool out easier.

Rocks and Above Ground Pools

by Cherry
(Hill Vounty in South Texas)

I live in the Texas Hill Country. My lot was scraped down from a hill. The ground is hard most of the year. When digging to plants shrubs, the farther down you dig the more rocks bubble up. Rarely is there a smooth rock. Most are jagged and broken.

The more I research the more I’m about to decide to go with a stock tank for the pool. I don’t know if we could ever get the ground level with no sharp areas. These rocks literally bubble up after a rain!!

Thoughts please.

Hi Cherry There are many ways of protecting a pool liner from the rocks. A base of crushed granite is my favorite but there are many others. A tarp or landscape plastic under several inches of sand is another. The 1 1/2" foam sheets work also. There are also many different liner pads that can be used also, the work well either on top of or under the sand.