What Kind of Sand for an Above Ground Pool

by Becky
(Kentucky)

Hello and thanks in advance for the help. We are digging out and installing an expandable liner this year in our 24' round.

We are just about ready for the sand and so dad went to the store and to get it and they gave him pool filter sand. I see you suggest masonry sand for under the liner but when I do a search of our local hardware and building centers for masonry sand, they show play sand and Quickrete All Purpose Sand.

I can't seem to find a source for "masonry" sand, will either of those mentioned here work? Thanks again for your help. Becky

Hi Becky.

The sand you want to avoid is the filter sand. Filter sand, or silica sand, is so fine that some of the particles can act like little needles under the liner. You need to go with a courser type of sand. I have never been fond of the bags of play sand, they are not consistent in quality and are very dirty and dusty.

The type of sand I recommend comes from a sand and gravel yard, or possibly a masonry supply yard. It is the stuff they use in the cement mix for block walls.

This type of sand is called mortar sand or masonry sand. It may also help to specify washed mortar sand. This type of sand is washed and damp when you buy it. Using wet sand in your pool is ideal. It smooths out and packs much better than dry sand.

I have tried wetting down the sand that comes out of the bags of play sand and it turns to mud. That's not at all what you want under your pool, it is impossible to work with.

I'm not sure if they still do, but for a while Home Depot carried large burlap bags full of mortar sand. They were probably five hundred pounds and a fork lift would load them into your truck. This was the real stuff, stuff you could use under an above ground pool.