My Pool Foundation with Foam Board

Рет қаралды 96,164

Жыл бұрын

A quick overview of how I set up my pool foundation for my Above Ground Pool. This can be used with any above ground pool like Intex or Coleman pools. The foam board gives some cushion underneath Intex and Coleman type pools making walking around more comfortable on the feet and can also help reduce awkward low spots in the foundation of the pool.
Help support the channel:
Amazon Affiliate Links
3M Extreme Hold Duct Tape
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Foam board:
XPS (Extruded Polystyrene)
4ft x 8ft (1/2 inch thickness)
These can be found in your local hardware center like Lowes or HD.
Other Pool Items I use:
Intex Deluxe Pool Skimmer
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Pool Skimmer Socks
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Other Pool Videos
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Bearded Hobbit Pool Store
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Пікірлер: 125

@quiptown8976 18 күн бұрын

Yep. I do it the same way. Works like a charm.

@faridjahed 10 ай бұрын

I think your way is the best way to go Thanks

@sardal3865 Ай бұрын

Best step by step setup I have found!

@TheCrusades1099 Ай бұрын

Agreed! I've watched more than a couple!

@jeffreygamble4949 26 күн бұрын

Very very helpful. Thank you :)

@linden5576 13 күн бұрын

Well, I live in Michigan and years ago I had a doughboy pool which is a metal sided above ground pool and we had a sand bottom, but we also fed over the sand and foam the walls before putting the liner on. That helps on keeping your pool warmer also although, 85% of your heat, you lose through the top of the water! So having dark blue or black bubbled, solar covers is vital because it sucks the heat. The dark sucks the heat into the cover. Keep the pool water warm. You can also purchase about any type of pool or metal frame. I don’t know about the Intex type pool it has to be a really sturdy unless you’re gonna build something around it. Sand and it worked perfectly and it stayed level. That’s the key you have to tamp your ground area after you apply the sand, wet and temp. As long as your pool ground is level within 1 inch or half inch you’re fine. Mine was perfectly level. I would suggest getting a doughboy or metal framed pool that will last for years and buying the bricks that you set it on to level it, I had some of these Intex type pools with little metal poles and all and they just don’t farewell in Michigan. There’s not a lot to take care of for winterizing chemicals. You drop the water below the intake and winterize your pump and lines unless they sit in a heated garage which mine did. I’m looking into buying another pool and a heater cause I’m gonna heat it to have a longer swimming season other than just about 2 1/2 months here in Michigan and that’s if you heat it with solar or something otherwise it’s just not warm enough to really swim in a pool because you are Overnight temperatures don’t ever stay consistently in the 70s or above. They’re normally in the 50s and 60s 60s in Midsummer in Michigan that can cool a pool down really quickly if it’s not foam or heated with some type of dark bubble pool covers that whole suck in the heat and hold it in. Another reason I trolls a metal sided pool was because I didn’t like the fact of wasting all that water of dumping out that water and then refilling it every year when water is so scarce in other areas, even Michigan is becoming drier! I do consider rain barrels for water, which could be put into a pool and filtered through a good sand filter. ❤ very good video very good ideas

@Stuffandthings281 4 күн бұрын

This is exactly how I did mine

@SolarProjectsSweden 2 ай бұрын

I've made a similar built by leveling the ground, made an octagon shape for my 13' feet round pool with 3 inch thick foam boards. Secured them really thight with two tension belts around, put together with the ratchets on opposite sides of the octagon for even tension. This made everything completely flat and nothing moves, so my pool liner is smooth

@macdox69 Ай бұрын

I've done the same thing with my 13' but I only used 1" thick foam. It makes a great feel on the bottom. The only difference is I didn't use stones, but used an Xacto knife to cuts sqaures from a heavy rubber horse stall mat. No worries of liner every rubbing on blocks. Going on 3rd year and still working perfecty. Also, I leave the base outside all winter in Canada and no issues.

@SolarProjectsSweden Ай бұрын

@@macdox69 I also love the soft feeling on the bottom from the foam, but the heavy rubber mat sounds like a smart idea. I got a fake grass carpet around the edges, just to protect the foam and to get the base to melt in with the surrounding grass. It looks a bit funny in the early spring, but really nice all through summer. My choice of 3 inch was only by recommendations that it would be enough to stop the ground from cooling down the pool water during the night. My pool heater is only on solar (solar panel, 20v barrel pump, 820 feet of ¾ PEM hose) and I'm only getting around a 5°F temperature drop after a 50°F night with this base setup and a cover on the pool.

@macdox69 Ай бұрын

@@SolarProjectsSweden I admit I never thought of the ground cooling effect. To be honest I was thinking cheap. Across my 13' I have an 12" elevation difference, so I have a 14" hexed shaped sandbox with sand filled to get it level. Even with splashing water and rain it has stayed rock solid. If I have to redo it in the future I might look at the 3" as well. I do not have a heater but usually have temperatures in the mid to high 70s.

@SolarProjectsSweden Ай бұрын

@@macdox69 I'm located at 60° latitude in the middle of Sweden, so I'll get a maximum of 70°F in the pool without my diy heater. With the heater on a day with a clear blue sky, I'll get about 83°F in the afternoon and the foam protects it really good from cooling down during the night. If you redo in the future, I recommend that you go for the 3 inch. It's worth every dollar.

@karma4872 21 күн бұрын

Would have loved to see photos

@boosted95 Ай бұрын

Everyone knows you got to put down crushed stone under the liner. JK. LOL. I take mine down each yr too. Nice being able to fix and issues you noticed with the foundation.

@Hobbitbuilds Ай бұрын

I find crushed glass is amazing, lol.

@salmontim3742 24 күн бұрын

I have that shirt. I wear it on days that I would like to be complimented by a stranger. 😁

@JoyHardy-qp3ds 19 күн бұрын

How many foam boards will I need for 24 around pool

@marcihill4662 11 ай бұрын

I absolutely agree about the sand. I’ve had a pool several years and this year is the most level it’s ever been. Now I have what may sound like a silly question. If I take my pool down and try to level the ground because it’s still pretty uneven, How do I start from the very beginning with a somewhat grassy/sandy area? I never removed grass from the area at all. We put sand and a tarp down. I’m a single mom so stuff like this I usually have to do on my own. I maintain my pool pretty well but just hate that it’s uneven and has dips. Thanks I’m advance!

@Superman-xr1oh 10 ай бұрын

oof...

@wendydavis5699 18 сағат бұрын

I live in Oklahoma, I hear this foam helps keep your pool warmer. But, mine already gets too hot in the summer with just a tarp under it. Do you have issues with it getting too hot with foam?

@brookebarras9659 2 ай бұрын

@hobbitbuilds did you put the tarp over the faom boards? Or just the foam board then the pool on top?

@RobertRShane 20 күн бұрын

I asked the same question. He replied, “I’ve done both. A tarp can give you a little more peace of mind.”

@dudechris1495 3 күн бұрын

Has anyone done this with a hard side pool? Putting up a 33 foot and I'd like to do this but not sure if it would be to much weight on the foam.

@BilalGreen-wv1wn 27 күн бұрын

Fantastic setup! My only thing I didn't know is how hard it is to cut the foam, I couldn't fit what I thought were my last two pieces in small suv so I cut them pretty jagged in the parking - lot and when I got home it was ruined bc it didn't site flush with the non cut ones.

@Hobbitbuilds 23 күн бұрын

Oh no. Maybe a 1x4x8 as a guide to cut into straight line to salvage the boards and just tape the living hell out of them?

@lrbennett76 16 күн бұрын

You have to score and break the foam

@GenXPertChannel 9 күн бұрын

Drywall knives work ok, but I found that the electric knives sold for carving meat work great for foam. So much so that many people who make props and models out of foam use electric carving knives to shape their project. Just don't tell the wife and clean the knife up afterwards... but it goes through foam like butter.

@zendell37 3 күн бұрын

I wish I thought of the foam. Basically everything I saw was "level the dirt. Then add sand". As soon as I get a couple tons of sand in, other ideas I like better show up. This foam. Horse stall mats. Man. Oh well. Ill do this next year if I empty it.

@RobertRShane 24 күн бұрын

Thanks so much for this! Do you still put a tarp between the foam and the pool? Or do you just set the pool right on the foam?

@Hobbitbuilds 23 күн бұрын

I've done both. A tarp can give you a little more piece of mind.

@RobertRShane 20 күн бұрын

@@Hobbitbuilds thanks!

@rickishaeking2685 Жыл бұрын

Hello can you tell me which blocks you purchased or can outdoor tile be used ?

@Hobbitbuilds Жыл бұрын

I used regular pavers which are around listed 2in thick, though they are a little thinner than that. A typical "tile" is not thick enough.

@johnnysouth4982 Жыл бұрын

Use pre mix vermiculite pool base bottom works way way better. Been doing that way for 30 years works great no customer complaints and always stays level .

@brentwilson5512 Жыл бұрын

It's pretty expensive.

@roseswenson2577 3 ай бұрын

how do you keep dirt from settling in the cracks where it's taped or keep your pool vacuum from getting stuck in them?

@Hobbitbuilds 3 ай бұрын

I butt the foam boards tight and the tape. Once you place water on top, they don't shift any. There can be some lines, but they are very shallow and don't interfere with my vacuum.

@ED---209 11 ай бұрын

What do you do in winter with the foam and pool area? Im windering how my area will look all winter...

@Hobbitbuilds 11 ай бұрын

I usually throw a tarp over it and use the pool pavers to keep it down.

@rong2578 Жыл бұрын

What size of pool do you have and how many sheets of foam board did use? Going to be doing the same thing with a 22 ft Coleman pool

@Hobbitbuilds Жыл бұрын

So I was able to get away with 9 sheets of 1/2 inch for an 18 ft pool. I was able to use the cut scraps to fill in corner gaps. If you look on the video, you will see 4 sheets across with a half sheet in the middle and bottom. This gives me exactly 18ft in diameter. It's never a bad idea to add a backup sheet just in case of a miscut.

@melbellgiveemhell3220 11 ай бұрын

@@HobbitbuildsI'm looking up prices in my area trying to decide if it's coat effective. Some are pretty spendy. How much did you spend on your foam boards?

@user-fy5by5xp7n 13 күн бұрын

@@melbellgiveemhell3220 did you use this? Update please I'm about to do a 22' Coleman next weekend

@OzSkyking152 3 ай бұрын

I am going to install an above ground pool and thinking about using Gladon's Perfect Pool Bottom as the base without any sand once the ground is level. I see moles in the yard sometimes so I need a solid base. Any thoughts?

@Hobbitbuilds 3 ай бұрын

I've not had any experience with that product though it looks nice. Moles shouldn't be much of an issue if the concern is them eating into the liner. Burrowing under...maybe. I'm not sure how to tackle that, but the first thing that comes to mind is digging a trench around your pool and tossing in some rock as a barrier and covering it back up.

@OzSkyking152 3 ай бұрын

My thoughts are that a mole might leave ruts in the liner if they dig tunnels under the pool. I have seen people use stall mats as a base so that might be a possible answer.@@Hobbitbuilds

@Hobbitbuilds 3 ай бұрын

@@OzSkyking152 stall mats could be used.

@ShredderMobbTV 3 ай бұрын

Would paver base instead of sand for final leveling be an acceptable option?

@Hobbitbuilds 3 ай бұрын

Yes that would work too, I just recommend that you only use it as the final leveling substrate and less than 1/2 inch. The main level should be done on the ground before adding any sand underneath.

@karma4872 17 күн бұрын

Now I seen Rubber~Cal 50A Neoprene Sheet 3/16 in. Thick x 4 width x36

@karma4872 15 күн бұрын

Anyone please advise

@GenXPertChannel 9 күн бұрын

neoprene is a fantastic way to go, although more durable- it offers less of a cushion due to how thin it is. I would think it's quite expensive as well. A neoprene base with foam on top would probably be the "ultimate" in foundations, though.

@karma4872 21 күн бұрын

Now, other than the foam board featured. Can we use other brands

@Hobbitbuilds 20 күн бұрын

Yes! Just make sure it's extruded foam exterior board.

@user-ce8lr3ff6v 2 ай бұрын

I understand you concern with loose or hand tamped sand, but if you look at soil load capacity tables, your will find compacted sand has a higher load capacity than compacted clay. Crushed stone having the highest load capacity. You can top compacted sand with paver bonding agents to prevent erosion.

@Hobbitbuilds 2 ай бұрын

I think the biggest issue with sand are those that buy a truck of sand, drop it on top of grass above grade and put their pool on top.

@user-ce8lr3ff6v 2 ай бұрын

@@Hobbitbuilds I get ya. A lot of the videos I've seen on pool ground prep don't event touch on compacting the area. Videos on DIY paver patio or driveway installs will emphasize compacting, but videos on above ground pools, where you have a higher psi load rarely touch on it. Some show no compacting at all, just screed to level and done. I'm thinking of using compacted crushed rock and sand under a 45mil EDPM pond liner. The clay in my area of Colorado is just too mobile to work with. After watching your video, thinking your foam board between the compacted base and the liner will make a nice long term solution. Thanks for taking the time to do your video.

@elyseb5728 2 ай бұрын

Do you ever experience issues with weeds/ grass growing underneath the foam and poking at your pool liner? Or and issues with shifting of the foam/ pool during heavy rains?

@Hobbitbuilds 2 ай бұрын

No issues here with any of those.

@kimberlymackiewicz918 28 күн бұрын

How did you cut the foam? What do you do with it when you take the pool down it's so big?

@Hobbitbuilds 28 күн бұрын

I used a razor, like a utility blade. To store it, I've left it before or I've cut the tape to fold sections and then just retaped.

@user-fi8zu6ei6x Ай бұрын

Can you please post the link for the foam board so i get the correct one

@user-fy5by5xp7n 13 күн бұрын

This!!!!!!

@aerialreynolds1777 11 күн бұрын

Needing to know as well

@guitarq359 Жыл бұрын

Intex says that using sand under your liner will void the warranty

@terminatortsw8006 Ай бұрын

You’re not putting it ON sand.. you’re putting it on the foam mat. The sand doesn’t come into contact with the pool material. ALSO I had to take my huge above ground pool down TWICE because of GOPHERS!!! Does anyone KNOW how much water is in an 18’, 4 ft deep above ground pool?? Sheesh! I had to put down HARDWIRE CLOTH!! THEN the sand, then the mat!! ALL are IMPERATIVE because before THAT, GRASS PUNCTURED through the sand alone and put hundreds of holes in the pool liner!! I had built an ocean in my CA backyard😱😂😂😂

@momof5kiddos Жыл бұрын

I was thinking of doing this to cover the pool and keel leaves out and then fold it on the duct tape lines 🤷‍♀️ but not sure if that will float like I think on the water. Plus haven’t priced it yet to see if it was prohibitive

@Hobbitbuilds Жыл бұрын

Hmm. Here are my main concerns: Foam may chip and leave behind pieces in the pool (Not sure about its UV resistance). This could be very bulky depending on size you are cutting and difficult to move around without ripping tape of foam. Just a thought. Possible solution. If your pool is on the smaller size, I have had some luck using a mesh tarp to keep out big debris. You can find some at Harbor Freight or here: amzn.to/43OQogj

@preasons7 Жыл бұрын

above oval pool setup

@mikeyao146 11 ай бұрын

Reference for the foam please 🙏🏽

@Hobbitbuilds 11 ай бұрын

@@mikeyao146 Look for extruded polystyrene. Lowes or Home Depot carry it

@mikeyao146 11 ай бұрын

Thank you 🙏🏽

@MonkeyBoy-sd9vc 29 күн бұрын

This is great but I'm pretty sure anyone that takes their pool down yearly is a psychopath

@Hobbitbuilds 28 күн бұрын

I can neither confirm or deny that

@paulawillette5104 Ай бұрын

How many inches thick for foam board? Did I miss it?

@Hobbitbuilds Ай бұрын

You could go 1/2 in to 1 in. I used 1/2.

@paulawillette5104 Ай бұрын

Thanks!

@jwil926 23 күн бұрын

Why put sand at all ? I’m confused on whether to buy some at all

@Hobbitbuilds 23 күн бұрын

Sand was only for any small spots that needed leveling. If you don't need it, you don't need it.

@robstershel Ай бұрын

How do you store the foam in the winter? Just fold it up?

@Hobbitbuilds Ай бұрын

One season I did fold it up. But to do so I had to cut it back down into sections. I just retaped the next year.

@lilmama4426 Жыл бұрын

Which type(works best) & size foam sheets did you get and can you get it at Lowe's? Thanks!

@Hobbitbuilds Жыл бұрын

I'll add this to my description, but you want to look for XPS foam board aka extruded polystyrene foam board. These can be found at Lowes and HD. I used the 1/2 inch, which I believe is the thinnest they tend to carry in the stores. IMO I think anything thicker may be overkill, but your mileage may vary. I used the 4x8 sheets.

@TedStark 2 ай бұрын

@@Hobbitbuilds So, we're looking for EXTRUDED vs expanded? Why is the expanded bad for this use again?

@Hobbitbuilds 2 ай бұрын

@TedStark extruded has less space internal so less compaction by pool.

@cjcksn Ай бұрын

This might sound crazy but can I use that gym flooring stuff?

@Hobbitbuilds Ай бұрын

@cjcksn Hmm, not sure honestly. My first concern is that the weight would squish the mats so much that they wouldn't really provide much in padding. Second would be all the seams you would have to deal with. If you go for it, let us know, maybe it works out OK.

@xhandhele Жыл бұрын

The only problem i have with using foam boards as a base is that you can see and feel the lines on the pool floor from where you taped them together. I tried it one season and i hated it, especially if you want to have a floor cleaner.

@JoseSanchez-lc8qh Ай бұрын

They make a felt pad that you can lay over the foam boards; I wonder if that would help alleviate the tape lines?

@chrisladd7776 29 күн бұрын

I watched this last year before I started to clear and prep my 24 ft round above ground pool. I didn't use foam, I used the rubber floor mats from harbor freight. I double layered the ground tarp and I did still put tape on the long seams but it works pretty good. I have voles and didn't want then to did up through the foam.

@reallyreallypanda8969 14 күн бұрын

@chrisladd7776 Does it help hold temps better do you think?

@user-fy5by5xp7n 13 күн бұрын

@@chrisladd7776how much did that cost? Link?

@karma4872 21 күн бұрын

And mine will be going on patio slab

@Hobbitbuilds 20 күн бұрын

Just make sure your slab can support that weight, especially at the edges.

@karma4872 17 күн бұрын

Thank you for the advice. I used foam puzzle but didn’t have enough. A pack of four was already 50 bucks. I sat and researched not knowing what to do. Hell, summer will be over by the time the pool gets out up. My foundation is solid. Going to level in some areas. My pool is 15 in round, the slab measures like a square 18 ft all around I think. How many pieces of those sheets, and what brands can we use, going to Home Depot. Ugh

@karma4872 17 күн бұрын

How do you fold up your pool for the winter

@Hobbitbuilds 15 күн бұрын

@@karma4872 drain it, dry it, usually in the sun. Then layout out on the sun, fold it when it's warm from the sun.

@Hobbitbuilds 15 күн бұрын

@karma4872 any foam boards that are extruded aka xps. For 16ft pool that would be 8.

@barbedarby 9 ай бұрын

Did you use 1/2 inch or 1” foam?

@Hobbitbuilds 9 ай бұрын

3/4. But 1/2 or 1 will work.

@user-uf2gs6gg5q Ай бұрын

@@Hobbitbuildswhat is the PSI of the foam that you used?

@Hobbitbuilds Ай бұрын

@user-uf2gs6gg5q I was unaware that is had a psi? I just went by thickness.

@av01230 24 күн бұрын

So the foaming is more expensive than the pool itself ?

@Hobbitbuilds 23 күн бұрын

The foam boards can get really pricey, really fast. When I first did my pool, it was cheaper. I recently went to price and they have gone up. You can get away with the thinner foam if you have really level and flat ground.

@memyselfandi3242 11 күн бұрын

I only have one question..... I see where your pool base goes to and it is a bylaw here that you need 4 feet from any wall, deck, unmovable objects or.... FENCES! You have your pool, "almost", judged up against that chain link fence. Obviously, you did not get a permit for that pool or you would have know that. OR, maybe you don't have that there but for everyone else, they should look into that before you put one up! I used sand on for my base for the slope and haven't lost any of it and it hasn't sunk either. I only suggest, level out a good foot further than the size of the pool... so a foot on all sides... thats 2 feet bigger than the pool... example.. 15 foot pool... level out 17 feet so you have a foot on all sides of the pool!

@Hobbitbuilds 11 күн бұрын

As this fence is not a property boundary fence, it does not fall into any issues here. My fence is simply for pets. No permit is required from county or hoa. But yes people should be aware of their bylaws etc before putting in their pool, but that is not what this video was about.

@Gl49ers 23 күн бұрын

I used bubble wrap. Suck it

@Hobbitbuilds 20 күн бұрын

And how is it?

@mistarob80 Жыл бұрын

Do you think 1 roll of duct tape does the job?

@Hobbitbuilds Жыл бұрын

Yes, the regular side rolls seem to be enough, I just recommend the highest adhesive. Usually it is called something like outdoor or extreme. Something that weathers the weather well.