The BEST BASE for an above ground pool!!

[@barbarashyamaleechong8754]

Loveeeee this whole set up you just sold the idea of getting an above ground pool..

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@psychicjeter2877]

The rubber mats were ordered yesterday. I am a tidy yard person too and this idea just helped me solve my problem with a smooth service bottom. Cannot wait to get started on mine.

[@backyardproblemsolver]

@@psychicjeter2877 good luck with your setup! Hope you enjoy them as much as we did!

[@jfox11000]

Northern Michigan here , absolutely love this idea !!!!! I’m going to tractor supply right now !!! Thinking of going with the Costco pool since I need oval shape !!! 22ft by 12 ft by 48 inches !!! That deck looks sharp !!! Please do a tutorial on it cause I’ll literally copy that also !!! You are so helpful sir !!!

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you! Great idea, I’ll try to get a video on the deck out soon.

[@Twinleo1]

We have the Costco pool. It’s awesome!

[@sarahhinch1629]

Best video I’ve seen on this topic and I’ve been watching videos all day. I even started feeling scared and worried about setting mine up. Your video made me excited to start! Thank you so much! Love it too specially the plants!

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you! I’m glad I could help! Good luck with your setup!

[@TheEnigmaticmuse]

Harbor freight has antifatigue mats that are less expensive than the horse stall mats. They're only 1/2" but a reviewer said he used them for this purpose and they worked great. I'm going to get some tomorrow. We're getting a 24'x12' pool and the mats are 25"x25" sold in a four pack so we estimate we will need 23 packs at $9.99 ea so about $250 with tax.

[@backyardproblemsolver]

@@TheEnigmaticmuse those are also foam instead of rubber. But if it works for your situation, that’s definitely a huge savings.

[@TheEnigmaticmuse]

@@backyardproblemsolver yes, I did notice that but I saw a reviewer who used them for that purpose and said they worked great, so I'll give them a try. Thanks for your video. I saw it last year when I was wanting a pool and loved your idea then.

[@oneofakind3004]

I bought a tarp the size of my pool, then the metal spikes u screw into the ground like to put a dog chain on i put in a pattern of a square like the tarp for each corner then I used adjustable bungee cords to clip the tarp to the spikes was the best pool cover solution I ever came up with. Comes off easy and goes back on easy and the rain doesn't move it or sink it etc

[@rebeccac.1758]

Perfect idea!!!!!!!!!!!! Stealing this idea 1000000%

[@impalervlad1456]

Now that is a great example of thinking outside the box and it being successful.

[@kristinalowe9819]

Very nice! So tidy, clean and tasteful. Thank you!

[@Jon-p4g]

Damn your building skills are on point . Wish I had the skills you did!! Great video.

[@heatherl3328]

We used carpet padding. We have rocky clay soil. We could not get rid of the rocks, impossible. We found some new thick carpet padding in the classifieds. Cut it in strips, placed the pool on top. The pool was up for 3 years, no problem. No, it didn’t get wet, didn’t smell, it was a cheap perfect solution! When we finally took the pool down we pulled up as much of the carpet padding as possible & raked up what was left. Would I do it again? ABSOLUTELY!

[@PookyMoreno1983]

That’s what I did last year. I’m thinking about using insulated foam boards this time due to the new pool’s dimensions

[@halfheartedhomestead1909]

That sounds like a great idea. I wonder if using an extra tarp under the carpet padding would make clean up much easier.

[@Knuckle_Sandwich_Hand_Wraps]

Im from the UK, i have the same above ground pool, one issue alot of people in the UK have is the pool is freezing cold. Instead of paying for an electric pool heater which is expensive to run, i painted the exterior of my pool black, the suns heat really gets absorbed into the pool and makes a huge difference. Also my pool cover is black. I also have 200m (600ft) of poly pipe running from my pump, the water coming out of the pipe is 3-4 degrees Celsius (39F) warmer than the water in the pool.

[@backyardproblemsolver]

That’s awesome!

[@dannycarter3647]

I wouldn't say it's freezing cold. My pool without heater sits at around 24c and with my DIY solar heater I can get it up to about 30c on a good warm day.

[@winklerchr]

3-4°C warmer isn't 39°F warmer, it's ~5-7°F warmer. 1°C increase equals 1.8°F increase.

[@johnrogan9420]

Favorite song is "paint it black" by the rolling stones!

[@sunlightangel87]

that's a great idea! I live in Texas but that freak winter storm we had in 2021 took out our pool which was less than 2 years old. We had this same pool. All the pillars cracked from the freeze and the pool was no longer stable or safe to swim in without risk of collapsing. The only thing I can think of is we either did something wrong and didn't winterize it properly, or it was the sudden and spontaneous, literal overnight, 30 or 40 degree temperature drop. We went from 55 degrees to below zero overnight in this freeze. Other people's inground pools were completely destroyed and those were a lot more expensive than ours.

[@allans7281]

I love how you say you don’t wanna get too involved pouring a slab but you have a staircase deck there that is stunning Gorgeous pool they’re fun to decorate and make them your own

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@janicewilliams-ic1co]

I love this idea! It looks really nice and clean. Thanks for sharing!!! I'm now looking on how you did that pool deck. You did a really nice job on that too!

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@honestjohn6062]

I used 4x4 on each side of the pool, metal ground anchors hammer in the ground to hold the 4x4 up, treat lumber for top plate needed for the pool reel brackets ,may need angle supports on 4x4 to make them sturdier

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@iloveconcrete1550]

That looks awesome! Nice deck and steps too! Nicely done bud👍🏼💯

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@striving4gr8ness356]

@@backyardproblemsolver we just got the 22×52 pool, and we were gonna go with the mats. However, we were told that it wasn't a good idea due to them possibly mildewing due to the water. Please tell me how the rubber mats are holding up. Have you had any issues.

[@backyardproblemsolver]

@@striving4gr8ness356 we had them for a few years and haven’t had any issues.

[@linden5576]

A pool cover reel. Mount it on some 4 x 4 posts you can decorate the 4 x 4 post. You can do all kinds of things to the post themselves. You can put hooks on them to hang solar lights, all kinds of things you can do, depending on the height of your post. There’s also brackets that you can purchase to connect your post to concrete or a deck without having to drill holes in the ground. Not only is it easier to take your cover off and on, but it’s a convenient storage when your covers off and you don’t have to worry about it dragon on the ground or going and throwing it in the garage or trying to hang it over a fence or something, conveniently on the reel. Also to keep your pool warmer, you can put a dark pool cover or two over the water, the dark absorbs, the heat, pulling the heat in. And they sell domes for above ground pools also! I live in Central Michigan, and I had a doughboy 18 foot above ground pool. We used solar panels, not the traditional but the black irrigation tubing and run them around and had them up on top of our A-frame deck and they heated the foot round by 52 foot pool to 92° Fahrenheit, that was eight years ago when the weather wasn’t even as warm as it is today😅 But to do that again, I think not I would just buy a pool heater. But definitely a pool reel you can front mount that on 4 x 4 post or you can top mount that and if your posts are high enough, you could mount two of them and you can probably get away with rigging your own device opposed to purchasing one depends on how creative you are ! And you can have two or three covers on your pool. I found with our door bar pool we foam the inside of the metal siding and the bottom. But you lose most of your heat out the top of your pool about 85% of it out the top of the pool and the rest out the sides same with the Home , Heat rises. The problem in Michigan is that the temperature gets down cooler at night usually the 50s and 60s even in the summertime it rarely stays 70°F overnight continuously for weeks on end! So you need to keep that water warm during the evening and night time and you do that by Keeping the sides insulated and keeping many good covers over top at night and using some type of solar other type of heating. Dark absorbs heating!

[@AH-xf6cp]

I just wanted to say that this is a great set up video! As a fellow Midwesterner I can appreciate why having such a solid foundation is important for the life and integrity of your pool I fully understand peoples comments saying that this is an expensive set up for a pool that only cost half of what the ground covering and set up cost, but they don’t understand how important it is to have a good base for their pool. Nice touch with the solar heater as well!

[@PCA219]

Beautiful set up and yard! Great tip on using the rubber mats!

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@ericphillips4369]

Middle Georgia here! I am looking for suggestions about a pool we are preparing to get. Seeing this video made me go WOW, I LOVE IT! I am doing this for mine for sure. Thank you.

[@backyardproblemsolver]

@@ericphillips4369 awesome, Thank you! Hope you enjoy it!

[@Twinleo1]

That looks great. It looks like pavers. Impressive! My husband made a spool like thing to roll up the tarp on our dump trailer. I’m think they same idea would work with the solar cover. We struggle with that too. I’ll have to get him to get on that. 😂

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you! Great idea!

[@nessa2352]

Wow I wish my pool looked like yours, great job!!!!

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@minershorts3620]

Very nice setup man, I am striving to have a pool in my backyard one of these days, cheers!

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@pb6224]

genius. I'll definitely use your idea. please do a video and talk us through the deck build too.

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you! Hoping to get a deck video out soon!

[@baileybuster2119]

Very inspiring, man. You are gifted.

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@ashleys207]

Your hired! Nicely done

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@Critical-Defense]

Being a native Georgian still in Georgia, the elephant ear plant in a pot is eye opening regarding the differences in our climate. I grew up at the last house on the road that happened to be a hill with a natural spring at the top. The spring ran along the side of the road down a ditch and it attracted all kinds of wildlife and plants. I remember playing in it all the time and when summer was really in full swing we had thousands of elephant ears in several places along the ditch. I guess they grow well in damp swampy areas because unlike a ditch dug to collect and run rain water that would otherwise create huge puddles in the road but would dry up with no rain, our ditch with running spring water was never dry. Glad I clicked on this video. I have a pool being delivered in a few days and I’ve been thinking about the base and the options I have. I have the other components figured out but to me the base is the most important. A harder base makes the bottom of the pool hurt bad lol. Thanks!

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Yes, I’ve been told they’ll grow in standing water. Good luck with your pool setup!

[@dannycarter3647]

Believe it or not but we grow Elephant ears/Colocasia outside in the UK all year round too.

[@LloydTackwell]

i used carpet padding underneath my pool kind of a low budget alternative but i got the idea from this video

[@antknee6579]

I was thinking of just using old carpeting lol'

[@JessicaSantos-yz9lc]

Me too since that's my business. 😂

[@amymoyfshgylgjkkjmmvn5517]

It’s been a year so far. How is it holding up? Mold?

[@boufie9997]

Don't get me wrong. This is a truly good idea, but...For my small 10' x 16" pool I would need 12 mats @ $50 each = $600 total. Since the pool only cost me a little over $400 I can't see spending that much money for the mats.

[@IntoTheReef]

Cheaper than a slab of concrete. We used sand last year. I got a hole in the bottom of the liner. This is insurance.

[@Bandaid17]

Better than having to replace liner and water. Insurance for sure.

[@annettedupras3493]

Thank you..your set up looks wonderful. great idea for for a base.And love your plants Great idea to feel like going on a vaccation.I live in Alberta Canada . thank you

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@framos3]

You have a beautiful backyard buddy 👍

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@raregem3619]

THANK YOU!! I’m in MI too. Trying to find a pool right now but was concerned about the base and my back yard isn’t leveled. Thanks so much for sharing. About to check out your other videos!

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@mauraolwill3689]

Hi from Madrid! Great job! I read somewhere where someone used a plastic pipe to roll the solar cover off the pool, that way you only need one person to put the cover on or take it off.

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Hi! Thank you! Great idea!

[@18rmiller18]

@@backyardproblemsolver I did it. Works well

[@Travelinalong5553]

PVC pipe

[@christianbella74]

I’ve been thinking the same thing. How big around is the pipe?

[@mcastillo1608]

Beautiful set up. Well done, Sir!

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@juliahelland6488]

Great idea! Did you put the mats on top of the grass? Also could you do a video on your pool equipment and pool water maintenance for summer and winter? I'm very interested in your solar heater. Please do more videos. Thanks for sharing! 💯

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you! The first pool, I put the mats right on the grass. This pool was larger and I needed the ground leveled, so sand was put down first. I’ll try to get more pool maintenance videos out this summer! Thanks for the suggestions!

[@BSchwartz319]

@@backyardproblemsolver how much sand did you need to use?

[@backyardproblemsolver]

@@BSchwartz319 I’m not sure, we hired someone to do that.

[@Leahthisandthat]

This is so smart and beautiful. We may do this for our pool. ❤

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@billwhite7119]

99 problems but a base aghnt one 😭

[@ayvin_the_dev5650]

😂

[@nonamenogimmicks3277]

I am hysteric right now that shit caught me off guard I am crying with laughter 😂

[@chriswalters8959]

Hit me!

[@hollyhanna78]

After fighting with this damn pool I went to KZbin & saw this…. 😂I AM LITERALLY LAUGHING OUT LOUD😂

[@martinkapusnik2970]

Good for you.. Patience. Answering the same questions over and over. Pool looks nice.

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@leewilcox2062]

My husband built hanging brackets from pvc pipe. They are on one side of the pool. We just slide the cover over onto them a little at a time. Then it pulls back up onto the pool to re-cover.

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@michaelluke5878]

⁠GREAT IDEA! Just a little more on the mats themselves…where did you get them? Are they interlocking? Approximately how much per sheet / bundle? Can they be easily cut? Did you have to level anything beforehand? Also but most importantly, being in Michigan, do you break down the pool for the winters? Thanks! Again this is a great idea!

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you! I got them at Tractor Supply, you’ll want to check for current pricing. They do not interlock. They can be cut with a good sharp utility knife if needed. Our first pool, I put the mats directly on the grass and that worked fine. With this larger pool, the ground needed to be leveled so sand was put down. I did not take it down for the winter, just winterized and covered.

[@marthaparker9379]

Can you please tell me a little bit more about winterizing your pool. I have a salt water pump. How much water do you leave in the pool and what do you put on top of the pool to deter the snow? Do you leave the pump attached, running? Any other advice?

[@anitabaker1996]

A pole longer than the length of the pool, attach the solar cover to pole to roll it. And can be rolled back on pool the same way...requires 2 people.

[@michaelrivera4527]

Exactly a pole and roll it

[@emeresbestres1]

What solar heater are you using? Very nice setup by the way.

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you! I’m not sure of the brand, I picked it up at my local pool store.

[@jenniferpittenger5193]

Did you have to clear the top soil layer and level out the base before placing? Our pool is leveled but I love the idea of adding these next year

[@tipwilliams4685]

I was looking forward to the answer to this question

[@jenshaw8085]

3/4 inch 4x6 rubber horse stall mats. Thank you! Looks amazing!

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@budgetwithnique6083]

@@backyardproblemsolver this is genius, will definitely try it for my pool. Question though, what size is your pool and how many mats did you use? I’m thinking of getting the 18x48 pool from Sam’s club

[@backyardproblemsolver]

@@budgetwithnique6083 Thank you! I used 24 mats for a 22’ pool.

[@diannebryant9926]

What a great idea. I'm wondering how well these would hold up in our desert sun. We have full sun and temperatures over 100 degrees most days all summer long.

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you! Being made for horses, these are made to be out in the weather, so I think they’d be just fine. But you could always check with the manufacturer to be sure.

[@elslick]

They hold up pretty good to heat and dry areas. They will dry out and crack around the edges a little over several years of time. But you can always get a rubber protectant.

[@32NinerBravo]

That’s a really nice pool and set up. Thanks for sharing. 👍🏼

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@KegstandOG]

This is a year done now, how is it all holding up? Quite interested to see how everyoens ideas pan out a year/two years/three years out! Give us an update!

[@tinabonham7074]

my mats stained the bottom of my pool, except where I put the deck tape! Not sure what happened, could be the petroleum based rubber, I'm sure.... didn't think it would do anything, as I watched the video, and purchased my mats at Tractor Supply! It's a great idea, but I'm replacing my pool next year...it was a NEW pool, but it looks so horrible so I have to, and I'm going to seal the top of the mats with some Flex paint....

[@shaykessler2761]

This is GENIOUS! Thanks for the awesome idea!!!!

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@LeslieBailey5940]

Looks great! I just looked up the mats as my pool comes next week. Are they really almost 100 lbs each? I'm trying to figure out if I can handle getting and installing those mats on my own (Fairly out of shape middle age woman lol). Was it hard and how long did it take you?

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you! Yes they are that heavy. They aren’t easy to move, they do sell gripper handles that make them much easier to move.

[@shavonniaw8639]

@@backyardproblemsolver What is the name of these mats again and where can I fine them a?

[@backyardproblemsolver]

@@shavonniaw8639 horse stall mats. I got them at Tractor Supply Co

[@shavonniaw8639]

@@backyardproblemsolver Thanks you are they very heavy duty

[@backyardproblemsolver]

@@shavonniaw8639 yes

[@sedeslasedeslarson9655]

Damn I've been looking for a solution to either putting down concrete or accepting the risk of moles digging up through the sand and liner, but this may be it. Great video, your pool setup looks fantastic!

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@jenniferstevenson1292]

Awesome!! Do a deck video!! 😁

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!! Great suggestion, I will do one about the deck!

[@jiemda3]

Pool setup looks great. Thanks for sharing.

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@mrmichael112002]

Dig - to level - add crushed stone - add stone dust - flood it - level it with laser level or line level -- add more stone dust…. Add four niches washed sand -- pads only sit on settled crushed stone and stone dust. U see the pads -- dig to dirt not soil… crushed stone and stone dust fill - flood it - repeat- Cover the liner area with a felt cover after four inches of washed sand is there and edges have 4-6 inches up the edge -- get it? Extremely solid for posts / stanchions-- washed sand inside. For four inches. Flood the area many times to see what settles -- Don’t bother with crazy base materials- washed sand and a felt cover done -- people leveling a slope dig out and never use that dirt to raise low side. In fact you need to dig out low to real dirt not soil. Pools do not reinvent basic ground rules for building. There are zero shortcuts ever. Dig and dig and then dig and then crushed stone and stone dust - flood softly and repeat-- add washed sand for pool liner -- don’t use sand for posts or stanchions. Cover liner with felt pad. Done. It’s simple landscape masonry rules -- zero more. You can pretty up everything after it’s done correctly FIRST.

[@davidweikle9921]

It sounds like you've done this a time or two.

[@aprilwhite4166]

Is what you have listed, the process the gentleman used prior to laying down the rubber mats?

[@patriciaellis5115]

I have that question too

[@JoeyGaglioti]

wow you'll need 24 mats @ $55 each is $1,320 just for the mats! Nice base but wow

[@backyardproblemsolver]

They aren’t cheap, but I liked that when you decide you don’t want the pool anymore, you can simply take these away and reseed the grass. And these sell for quite a bit used, so you can recoup some of the cost when you’re done. Not for everyone though, just another alternative.

[@guzman9011]

😯

[@robertpomier5463]

U can buy em from 5 an below lol

[@TheRainHarvester]

@@robertpomier5463 really? $5 each? I'm curious, can you verify?

[@antknee6579]

WHOLY SHIP NEVER MIND LOL

[@bobbydiaz7766]

Beautiful, any video on how you built the deck with gate. I love this, looks safe for the kids.

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you! Yes there is a video on the deck build on my channel.

[@krewlworks4911]

Pvc pipe 4 inch that will reach across both sides and a stand at one end . Basically rollthe cover on and off I attached with zip ties.

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@TheIdeaMan144]

Grounding? Please make a video about grounding (aka 'bonding') for above ground pools. I'm just now learning about this potentially hazardous situation, where any metal or even the water itself can be a shock hazard (and may even attract lightening). There are several videos and information online though I think more information would be a good idea. Thank you

[@backyardproblemsolver]

@@TheIdeaMan144 thank you for the feedback. that is a very important topic, but outside of my expertise. I’m going to let the pros handle that one.

[@andrewherring2223]

We used to roll our solar panel on a 2x4 that was long enough to reach across the pool.

[@Oxford322]

I love this setup ! I have dogs & plan to swim w them ( no kids) I like the simple steps & I’m using a garage rubber floor mat w a bunch of pool noodles under it zip ties ( to bottom to prevent scratching paws ) I saw on Pinterest - this should allow the dogs to crawl up this floating mat ramp to a sold deck stand ( similar to yours )

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you! Good luck with your setup, sounds great!

[@tonyc416]

Absolutely fantastic!!! This is great and for my next pool, Ill be doing this.... Solar cover: I just pull it off carefully with just me or someone else. I love those and buy the intex brand every year. Its thicker material than the rest but my solar covers have to be replaced every year..... those "circles" that are the back side of the air bubbles start coming off towards the end of the season and get all over inside the pool. I end up having to toss it then getting another one every year........

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you! Do you keep a close eye on your levels? If your ph gets too low it will eat through a cover in no time. Otherwise a good solar cover should last you 3-5 years depending on the thickness.

[@tonyc416]

@@backyardproblemsolver Thats good to know. I think i know whats going on then. The circles are from the top side of the cover. Likely what could be happening is water splashing on top of the cover then evaporating in the hot sun could be damaging the material. Maybe rinsing it off when I remove could help.

[@crystalmoonstar275]

Beautiful setup! Very esthetically pleasing. I can tell you have a bit of OCD like my husband and myself. Everything must be neat clean for us. We also have banana plants around our pool. 😊

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you! Guilty as charged!

[@crystalmoonstar275]

@@backyardproblemsolver Love it! 🥰

[@Latenightcrewdave]

Super clean setup 👏👏👏

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@imerflores1167]

Living the dream brother, living the dream!

[@LowLuvR117]

This is so nice I keep watching I wish I could get someone do mine

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@king215james]

I really like that set up. Awesome job!

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@highlightvideos2847]

1 inch or thicker Styrofoam insulation sheets also work perfect.

[@jimbetche7864]

I love this idea. I've had many of these pools and we just used old shoes to level it. But this is much better.

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@Nicole-yv4zr]

They look great. Def an option next year when we set our permanent pool up

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@04Steph08]

Genius! Why didn’t we think of this. 🤯

[@granluvu1]

So I actually came up with a system with two 6ft 2x4s and 5 gallon buckets fill the concrete put the 2x4s in there then I drilled holes into it ran piping through it put a lock on the outside and a swivel on the other side tied string to it and hooked clamps up to the solar panel then I could just turn it like a crank and pull it right up that Southern ingenuity for you coming out of the NC

[@backyardproblemsolver]

That’s awesome! Thank you!

[@justicetrufaux6722]

Nice work Kyle!

[@backyardproblemsolver]

@@justicetrufaux6722 Thank you!

[@talyseming-newby5051]

I wish I could hire you! This looks great!

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@eliasstriber]

What’s an awesome pool you have there , great job

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@sunlightangel87]

Thank you so much for this! What a beautiful setup! I'm watching because I'm considering buying another above ground pool but installing it partially in-ground. My husband and I used to have an 18 ft circular pool but a freak winter storm took it out. It was sad because it cost us at least $2k to buy it plus another $2k+ to get solar heaters, all the equipment, and all the upkeep for it. And we had it for less than 2 years. I miss our family swim nights when the sun would be setting and the kids would be playing in the pool with us. I've been considering how to do it by myself. My husband isn't sure about doing it professionally again because of how much we spent and it all didn't work out. So I'm thinking how can I do this myself but cheaper haha. You say you live in Michigan, how do you winterize your pool? I'm trying to figure out what we did wrong, but for us, all the pillars cracked from the freeze so the pool was no longer stable and we had to throw it away. That was so expensive. Anyway, thank you for the video, I like those pads you've used for the base. We live in a house with a very sloped 30 ft backyard now, which is different from the larger and more level yard we used to have. This will be a challenge. But I'd love to have our family swim nights back so it makes it worth it in my book.

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you! For winterizing make sure you have an air pillow in the pool so the ice can expand into that instead of out against the walls. Utilize your local pool store, they are a wealth of knowledge and in my experience always happy to help.

[@sunlightangel87]

@@backyardproblemsolver Thank you so much for this info! I will do so in the future :)

[@halfheartedhomestead1909]

​@@backyardproblemsolverI have never even heard of such, thank you.

[@rondamartens9943]

Great idea!!! Couple Questions: Does it get very hot in the summer? How much did they cost approximately? I'm seeing about $50 for a 4'x6'. I am definitely going to look into doing this, I think this will also help with my levelling that I have to do each year do to rain water washing away the dirt that I level.

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you! They do get somewhat hot, but I felt the composite deck actually got hotter. They are not cheap. I got them several years ago so not sure on current pricing.

[@philc7303]

That's a fantastic idea! Thanks for sharing!

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@Sherryblossom2017]

Hi. Looks very nice. You did a good job. I have one question. Why do you not have your yard fenced when you have a pool?

[@backyardproblemsolver]

@@Sherryblossom2017 Thank you! Every area is different on laws, so I can’t speak to any specific area. But it is my understanding that some areas do not require a fence for above ground pools(it may require the pool to be a certain height). The walls of the pool are essentially the fence. The steps are gated and locked. Of course everyone would need to do their own research regarding fencing requirements.

[@christinemarieciurlino-dun4002]

Great Deck you built.

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@issism9229]

Love the whole setup

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@jakem.6359]

And I thought I was the only one who used horse mats for under and around their pool....lol.....only difference...I went with the smooth side up.....I already had most of the mats and they had different patterns...and I wanted everything to match. The guy in the water truck that came to fill it said he'd never seen that before...thought it was a great idea.

[@deniseelliott5859]

You have a water truck guy? What is that and how do I get one?

[@andyamysarizonaadventures5450]

Very nice😎

[@backyardproblemsolver]

@@andyamysarizonaadventures5450 Thank you!

[@omgbrytt]

This is absolutely awesome

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@nogo23]

This is awesome!! Thank you for the video!

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@maldo72]

nice job and cool idea about the mats for the base ... also subbed great info

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@TheDogDad]

Convinced me! Thank you sir for the idea

[@elpismi5811]

this is so blooming brilliant. I am doing this too.

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@mandraxfilostein]

That looks awesome man!

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@Mikeofindy]

Two post that span the width of your pool at one end. A long rigid pole between them to create a sort of hog spit rotisserie. Roll that bad boy up.

[@basicsurfer08]

they look good like some metal sheets i wish there was a link to buy lol

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you! These mats are quite heavy, I didn’t post a link because buying them locally is going to be a better solution for most people.

[@basicsurfer08]

@@backyardproblemsolver thank you i just want to know the name so i can google from UK

[@backyardproblemsolver]

@@basicsurfer08 they are usually called stall mats or horse stall mats here.

[@basicsurfer08]

@@backyardproblemsolver thank you

[@keretaapiindonesia_]

Very imformatif

[@marilynjturner]

Thanks Kyle. That really is helpful.

[@jeremygrab7548]

How does this do with water and air flow? With no water flow, over time the liner with start to wither.

[@phoenyx786]

I plan to do my own pool set up this spring. My pool will be significantly smaller, 12'×30." I plan to do the same set up that you have after seeing your video. Looks amazing! Quick question: I noticed with this set up that you don't use concrete pavers under the legs. So far, I've only seen people use these pavers when the legs are touching the bare ground, or sand base. On a foam mat, are the pavers unnecessary? Thank you!

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Awesome, Thank you! I did not feel they were needed. The rubber mats are very sturdy. Just make sure they’re rubber, not foam. The legs did slightly compress a small area around them on the mats, but held up just fine. I was worried about the hard edge of the pavers being against the pool. If I was going to add pavers to this setup, I’d make sure I knew exactly where the legs were going to be, then cut squares out of the mat and drop the pavers in flush with the top of the mats.

[@GG-vx7gi]

Excellent idea. How has it held up? Id like to create a base for an intex pool that would be seasonal and taken down and stored. Could these mats be left in place over winter?

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you! I had no issues leaving them out through the winter.

[@kevinbreese5739]

My concern would be how long are those rubber mats going to last? Outside 24/7 exposed to water, chemicals, sun and fluctuating temps with 4-seasons...those mats will probably start to break down after a few years. I don't think they are designed to be outdoors 24/7 with no roof over them.

[@karma4872]

It costs a lot for those darn puzzle foam pieces. I used them for my other pool. Didn’t have enough tried finding what would interlock with mine, again 4 tiles 50 bucks

[@alliciafrye5869]

Very nice! Great job!

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you!

[@derondavis6093]

I Love This Set Up! Best One I Seen So Far. Can You Tell Me Where To Get The Mats & How Did You Know The Right Amount Of Mats To Get?& Did You Have To Kill The Grass & Level It Out? My Backyard Is On A Slight Slant & I Been Thinking About Buying Sand To Level It Out

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you! They are stall mats from Tractor Supply. They are 4’x6’, so I just had to do the math the figure out how many I needed. I put up a slightly smaller pool first and just put the mats directly on the grass. Going to a larger pool we did need to level first, so we had sand put down and leveled.

[@Melissad490]

How has this held up? Are any of the legs sinking? Did you put blocks under the rubber where the legs would be for support?

[@backyardproblemsolver]

No blocks, the legs just went straight on the mats. No sinking.

[@kayladawson4786]

I’d love to hear how and what you chose for your pump and filter!

[@backyardproblemsolver]

I used a Hayward pump and sand filter. I found mine on marketplace, and I’ve since moved and no longer have this pool. I did go bigger than needed though which I really liked, made it extremely easy to keep the pool clean and clear!

[@kayladawson4786]

@@backyardproblemsolver thank you

[@jdmjd1989]

I’m interested in the size of the pool and info on that filtration/skimmer you have on it as I haven’t seen one with that setup .

[@backyardproblemsolver]

It’s a 22’ pool. Here is an affiliate link to the skimmer I used. amzn.to/3zAjvJO

[@naturevideos9400]

Yeah! Pulling that solar cover off is a chore

[@bestherc1951]

I have seen so many ideas for the set up of an above ground pool but up until now yours is a winner. It looks clean and easy to maintain. Where did you buy them? I how many did you need to cover your pool perimeter? It will give me an idea of how many I will need.

[@backyardproblemsolver]

Thank you! I got them at tractor supply co. There are 24 mats under the pool.

[@bestherc1951]

This heat wave in Texas made me buy a pool (I have to wait until the week of July 15-25 for delivery) in the meantime decided to find the best way to set it up and have less regrets. If I don t chicken out I will let you know how it went. After leveling the ground did you use anything else before setting up the stalls? Any info will help me, thanks.

[@backyardproblemsolver]

@@bestherc1951 nope, just put the mats right on the ground