Foam pool foundation, Coleman Intex best way pool

The ground here in new England is about 45 degrees Fahrenheit ,just a foot or two under the surface. Most nights are cooler, and this means that a lot of heat is being sucked away from the water by the ground.
We also have a very rocky soil and even some broken glass under the grass.
This has cushioned the bottom of the pool from the rocks, and has allowed the 6,000 gallons to gain as much as 4 degrees in one day. Currently the pool is staying in the 80s without any extra heating, just the solar cover.

[waterwomaninFL]

What a great idea. Thanks so much! My pool is coming in a few days and I’ve been obsessing over this.

[nicholasaustin]

I intended to follow this video, then I found a more economical option that worked well for me. I still utilized what you video showed me. Thank you for your effort to share with us.

I just put up my small pool over Memorial Day weekend 2024. For about $65 Lowe’s had a 4’x50’ length of 1/4” insulation foam. It was folded into 2’x4’x1.5’ product on the shelf, which made it easier to transport. I prepped the ground moderately well, then I put down a 1/4” layer, with another 1/4 layer with perpendicular seems over the top. I used shipping tape because in the past duct tape was thick enough that dirt deposits formed on the liner above duct tape seems. I also ran a length of tape across the folded seems (every 2’) on the top layer to try and consolidate 6 tiny creases into a slight depression. The 1/4 foam was easy to trim once the pool was full. It isn't squishy, but I don't feel any rocks or even seems when I am in the pool. I didn't put down a tarp. My priority was eliminating seems and I am willing to pay $65 a summer to not have to spend 90% of my pool cleaning effort on tarp & tape seems that collect sediment like the ridges on a gold pan.


Kingspan Insulation R-1, 0.25-in x 4-ft x 50-ft GreenGuard Faced Polystyrene Board
Model

[blaisebrown]

I was just about to buy sand and I found your video. Fantastic idea!

[billynolanjr]

This is an amazing idea ! I have been tossing and turning deciding what to put under my Intex once it arrives, No I have found it ! Thank you, this must work fantastic and feel great under foot ! Can't wait to do this !! Thanks ! Looks awesome !

[billynolanjr]

just put out pool up today I did ground cloth, foam 3/4 inch then another tarp over the foam then pool Thanks again, seems this is going to work out !

[mareks]

I was gonna do this this summer under a smaller 10x10 pool in my backyard great idea I already got the ground level and grass free

[danvalant]

Have used 1/2 inch foam under my 24' round pool.Just finished, works great. Gorilla tape works to secure foam.

[PeteyDeezWorld]

Great idea. I have the 8 foot easy set on my patio .. my patio slopes 4 inches and this is my solution.also provides a soft underlayment too

[therealbeedubbs]

Did the foam insulation get crushed down under the weight of the pool? I’ve had a Intex pool for years, the 22’ one. It finally had it and I found this best way one really good price. It’s 2’ smaller. Well it just finished filling and it’s off on one side by 3”. I’m thinking the old one that was leaking softened up the ground and this is why. Was thinking about putting foam sheets under the half of the pool that is lower to raise it up. Was wondering if it will get crushed back down with the weight of pool and be uneven again?!?

[jmnjmn]

I did this same thing for my last intex pool. Held the pieces together with gorillia tape. Worked well. Nice surface.

[quiptown]

I did this a few years ago. It helps with the water temp and protection, but it feels amazing on the feet. Plus if you do spring a leak you don't get sand washout.

[JessePerknat]

This was a great idea. Allows me to use river rocks under the Rigid Foam to level, then in the winter the rocked area will be our fire-pit area. This was our first pool and didn't want to spend too much time digging into grass, then rocks to level. Now to build a 5-gallon bucket sand filter and a solar water heater

[michaelh]

This is an excellent idea.bi actually had the same exact idea and found your video searching if anyone else did this.

This foam does not absorb water and will feel nice on the feet.

I have finally leveled the ground for my 18ft pool. I didn't want to haul all that sand to the backyard. I am probably going to go pickup these boards tonight.

[shellhans]

I did this last year. The guy at home depot suggested i use the foam board. We Leveled the sand put the foam board on top. I hate I didn't tape it down. So now that im about to change the liner. I'll be sure to tape it this time.

[RobbsHomemadeLife]

part of me says this is a great idea, another part says you really like to mess around with foam. :) thumbs up either way.

[karleetomassetti]

What size pool? We have a 16x48 I think lol we are doing this next month to ours. Our yard is very sloped so we had to dig out one side quite a bit and it handled the slope rather well. Only off about 2 inches after it settled and then when all the rain came and storm it shifted some. We are also using block to hold our rock in place.

[franny]

I wonder if I can pick your brain? I'm preparing for a 15' x 48" intex pool. I've already dug down in put pavers in and I'm leveling them to each other and the center of the area. I'm gonna fill in the area with sand to make everything even with the pavers. I've got lawn edging tracked down to prevent sand washout in addition to it being dug down. Then I'm gonna put 1in foam board on top of all of and tape it down with that packing tape that's got the strings on it. I have no intention of taking this down for the winter. My question is can I put the pool on top of the foam over the pavers ice already put down? They're 12" x 12." Or do I need to put 7" x 4" pavers on top of the foam over the pavers underneath the legs?

[JohnnYp]

so two ish years later. how did the foam hold up?

[crystalprewitt]

So I'm planning on putting up a 12ft pool I caught this video my question is I do not plan on digging up grass just raking over the area as good as possible should I put tarp down then foam boards are opposite? Also since I'm not digging up the grass should I use sand as a base along with foam boards and of course tarp any help is appreciated

[zzzaxs]

This is exactly what I did, worked great. I used 2 inch, only mistake I made is I didnt tape the joints.