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How do I prepare my yard for an above ground pool?

Author

James Craig

Published Jan 14, 2026

Clear The Area

When preparing your site, it is usually recommended to have the pool site at least two inches deep. Remove any rocks, roots or other forms of debris that may have been situated beneath the grass. It's important to do this as these can cause damage to the liner of your swimming pool.

What is the best thing to put under an above ground pool?

Concrete pads are excellent to use as a base for your above ground pool, but you'll want to add another cushion between the two. Concrete is an abrasive material and will wear on the liner if it's in direct contact. Concrete is the best choice for a solid base because it is perfectly flat.

How do you prepare the ground for an above ground pool?

How to Prep Ground for an Above-Ground Pool

  1. Choose the best area of your yard to set up your pool. ...
  2. Remove all sod and other vegetation from the area. ...
  3. Determine the lowest point of the pool area. ...
  4. Create a wood level. ...
  5. Replace the metal stake with a 2-inch square wooden stake hammered flush with the ground.

Should I put anything under my above ground pool?

Above Ground Pool Design

The typical vinyl liner above ground pool is actually designed to be installed directly onto the ground without any added protection for the pool liner. This is perfectly acceptable if the ground is prepared in a way that will prevent damage from occurring to the vinyl pool liner.

Do you put sand under above ground pool?

Sand is the recommended base material upon which an aboveground pool should sit. Sand is used under an aboveground pool to protect the pool's vinyl liner from rocks and objects that could tear the liner. Also, sand under an aboveground pool acts as cushioning for its floor, making it more comfortable for feet.

39 related questions found

How many bags of sand do I need for a 18 foot pool?

Volume = (width x length x depth) x 0.037

For a rectangular pool that's 18 feet long by 9 feet wide, you'd need at least 1 cubic yard of sand for your base.

Can you put above ground pool on grass?

Installing an above-ground pool on a natural grass lawn is not a good idea, particularly if you plan on taking down the pool for part of the year. There are several reasons why natural grass and above-ground pools do not mix well, but one of the most important is that the pool is going to kill the grass.

How many inches of sand do you need for a pool?

The general rule is that there should be a two to three-inch base of sand under an above ground pool. If you know the dimensions of your pool area, then you can easily figure out how much sand you'll need for the base using a sand calculator.

Do you need a tarp under a pool?

At the bare minimum, yes you should put a tarp underneath your Intex pool. Inflatable pools, Bestway and Summer Ways pools will also benefit from a tarp. What is this? Although a tarp will help protect your pool there are far better choices such as foam tiles or proper commercial under pool pads.

Where should I put my above ground pool?

~ To sum it all up – choose a sunny location, away from trees but close to power and water. It should be visible from the house, and not encroaching any setbacks or easements that may exist. The soil should be fairly solid and compact-able (or you can lay down a new base).

How do I prepare my above ground pool for the summer?

How to get Above Ground Pool Ready for Summer:

  1. Start by draining the pool cover, removing it, cleaning it, and then storing it.
  2. Where necessary, you can add water to your swimming pool.
  3. Switch on the equipment and test them to ensure that everything is fully operational and working effectively.
  4. Test pool chemistry.

Is it OK to put above ground pool on concrete?

Many wonder though if above ground pools are exclusively used over grass, sand, or soil only and if installing it over concrete is impossible (for fear of it getting punctured). The good news is, yes, you can install your above ground pool on concrete if a sand or soil base is not possible.

What goes under a pool liner?

Underneath the liner is a sand or cementitious floor, troweled into place. The floor sidewalls come up to meet the walls, which are commonly 42” x 8 ft panels made of galvanized steel or thermoplastic. These walls are supported from behind so that they won't bow out against the weight of the water.

How do you level a yard for a pool?

  1. STEP 1: Determine your location and remove any large rocks or debris. ...
  2. STEP 2: Place 2x4s on the site and place a level on top. ...
  3. STEP 3: Add or take away soil until the ground is level. ...
  4. STEP 4: Repeat the process until the entire area is flat. ...
  5. STEP 5: Rake any remaining rocks or debris and tamp the ground.

What happens if ground is not level for pool?

The water will press with more force on one section of the pool than the others. This uneven weight distribution can buckle, twist or even collapse the pool wall, resulting in property damage and injury to anyone in or around the pool when it fails.

How do you level a sloped yard for an above ground pool?

Place stakes or sticks at areas that slope or are off-grade. You'll need to dig away these area in order to create level ground for the pool. Dig away soil instead of building up low patches. Always dig away slopes and high spots to make them level with lower areas, even if it takes more work.

What tools do I need to level my yard?

Yard Leveling Tools & Equipment

  1. Lawn Mower.
  2. Sand.
  3. Topsoil.
  4. Compost.
  5. Hand rake.
  6. Thatch rake [or dethatching machine]
  7. Plastic leaf rake.
  8. Large push broom.

Are above ground pools worth it?

An above-ground pool is, by far, the least expensive option for a pool. Kids love them, and built-in fencing and locking gate options make them safe. The main disadvantage of an above-ground pool is that it generally adds no value to your home.

Can you put above ground pool on dirt?

During excavation, you'll want to keep some of the excavated soil nearby so you can backfill around the pool once it's complete. But don't backfill until you've filled the pool with water. Most above-ground pools aren't designed to withstand pressure from the outside.

How do I level my ground for a pool without sand?

There is an easy way to do this. Screw two 2-by-4 boards together alongside each other so they are one or two feet longer than the diameter of your pool. Next, lay the attached boards on the ground where the pool will be and put a level on top. Slowly lift and lower one side of the 2-by-4s until it shows level.

How much area does a 50lb bag of sand cover?

Regarding this, “50 lb bag of sand cover how much area?”, generally a typical 50 lb bag of sand yields 0.5 cubic feet that will cover 3 square feet area for standard 2 inch depth for excavation and backfills, for 1 inch depth, it will cover 6 square feet, for 3 inch depth, it will cover 2 square feet and for 4 inch ...

What kind of sand is needed for above ground pool?

Mason sand, sometimes called mortar sand, can normally be found at any sand/gravel yard or masonry supply yard. It is usually measured in yards. It is very fine and should not contain any rocks or pebbles. This will create a very smooth bottom and is the most popular method to use when installing an above ground pool.

How many yards are in a 50 pound bag of sand?

Regarding this, “how many bags of sand is 2 yards?”, a typical yard of sand weighs 2700 pounds, so 2 yards of sand yields 5400 pounds and sand available in 50 lb bag, therefore, generally 108 bags of 50 lb sand is 2 yards (5400/50 = 108).