How to Protect Grass from an Inflatable Pool

Your family has decided on an inflatable pool in the backyard for summer fun. But now you&#;re concerned about how to protect your grass. You are right to be worried about a big piece of plastic sitting on your lawn in the summertime. Unless you are willing to drain or move the inflatable pool every day or two, your grass will be damaged, if not killed.

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You&#;ll find a lot of online articles that give you several ideas on how to protect the lawn. But these suggestions often offer more than they deliver. For example, some suggest placing a ground cover underneath the pool to protect the grass. However, these ground covers are intended to protect the pool, not the grass.. 

This article debunks many common suggestions on how to protect grass from an inflatable pool and offers a couple of sure things. As a bonus, you&#;ll find how to repair the grass when these suggestions fail.

Protect Grass from an Inflatable Pool &#; The Right Way

No doubt about it, an inflatable pool filled with water left on the lawn all summer will kill the grass. But here are two options that can help prevent the grass from turning brown. 

Option No. 1

The best advice is to not put the inflatable pool on the grass. It only takes a couple of days for the pool to damage the grass.

In just one day, the grass will show the yellow signs of stress. That&#;s because the inflatable pool smothers the grass, depriving it of air, water, and sunlight. By day two or three, the lack of those elements will trigger dormancy in the lawn. After about two weeks, the grass will be dead.

Consider placing the inflatable pool on a hard surface, such as driveway, patio, or deck.

Option No. 2

Photo Credit: PxHere

Move the inflatable pool every day or two. This may be easy with a small kiddie pool, but moving a medium or large water-filled pool usually isn&#;t possible. If you&#;re using a large kiddie pool, it&#;s best to avoid the grass altogether. Draining a large pool daily to move it also isn&#;t sustainable, as it&#;s a waste of water. 

When draining a small kiddie pool, don&#;t be tempted to dump the water onto your yard. Dumping that much water in your landscape can cause temporary flooding, which may be harmful to grass and other plants. Rather than dumping the pool, use an electric pump that siphons the water through a hose, which can lead to a drain.

What Won&#;t Protect Your Grass

Myth No. 1: Lay a Ground Cover

In this case, the ground cover isn&#;t plants, but a plastic tarp instead. Even though some online sources suggest protecting the grass with a ground cover, the tarp&#;s real role is to protect the bottom of the pool and make walking and sitting in the pool more comfortable. Its function isn&#;t to protect the grass. 

Myth No. 2: Interlocking Tiles

Some interlocking tiles are designed with open spaces to allow for air circulation. These are made of different materials from PVC and other plastics to foam. Placing them underneath the pool might give the grass a chance to breathe, but it won&#;t solve the sunlight problem. The pool will still block the sunlight and prevent the grass from photosynthesizing.  

Myth No. 3: Carpet

Although somewhat breathable, the underside of the carpet may slow water (from splashes, for instance) from draining. Carpet padding is not recommended because it will hold water. Holding water or not allowing it to drain may encourage fungus growth.

Myth No. 4: Sand

Sand may seem like a logical choice, but it is not stable. Sand easily shifts and washes away in rain or windstorms, so it would not stay level underneath the pool. 

How to Repair Grass When Swimming Season is Over

Once you remove the summer pool, you may be eager to repair the damaged grass. Here are a few options that can help restore the lawn. 

Rehydrate

The grass is likely craving water. Water the grass daily if there is no rain. Continue until the grass is thriving again.

Mow to encourage growth

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Use a mower to lightly cut or weed whack the area, which will encourage the grass to grow. Allow the grass clippings to remain on the soil&#;&#; the organic matter adds trace nutrients to the soil. Hold off on fertilizing until growth has resumed. Read and follow the label directions.

Sow Grass Seed

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Part of the problem with reseeding an area of dead grass is the season. Warm-season grass, which grows best in warmer climates, ought to be planted in summer. So if you live in a warm climate, consider removing the pool a few weeks before the cold weather hits so that your warm-season grass seed has enough time to germinate. 

Cool-season grass grows best in colder climates and ought to be planted in early fall. Aim to plant the grass seed at least 45 days before the first expected frost. 

Here&#;s how to prepare the area for new grass seed: 

1. Scrape off or dig out the dead grass.
2. Apply a 1- or 2-inch layer of compost or compost mixed with topsoil.
3. Soak the layer.
4. Apply grass seed, according to label directions.
5. Water the new planting as recommended on the product label.
6. Mow when the grass is about 4 to 6 inches high.

Lay Sod

Photo Credit: Pexels

Watching grass grow is like watching paint dry. For instant gratification, try laying sod on the lawn after removing the dead grass and adding compost and topsoil. Keep the sod well watered until established. 

Install Something New

The spot for your inflatable pool doesn&#;t have to be a grassy area. Consider transforming the space with a fire pit, container garden, or yard game play area. Shredded mulch or artificial turf can make excellent ground covers. When summer arrives and you&#;re ready to bring out the pool, simply move the containers, fire pit, and games to a new spot. 

FAQ About Pools and Grass

Should the ground cover be larger than the floor of the inflatable pool?

Ideally, the ground cover should be about one foot larger than the pool or the same size. 

What will an inflatable pool do to my artificial turf?

The weight of the pool and water will likely flatten the artificial turf, but you can brush the turf back into shape. 

I want to put my inflatable pool on my concrete driveway. Will I still need a ground cover?

Yes. The concrete (wood or other hard surface) can damage the bottom of the pool. A ground cover will help prevent that.

How much does pool installation cost?

Tired of lugging out the pool each summer? You might want to consider installing a permanent fixture. Here are the average costs for various pool types: 

Leave the Grass to the Pros

If summer swimming relaxed your stress away, repairing the lawn might be the last thing you want to do. Connect with a local lawn care professional who can revive the sore sight the inflatable pool left behind.

Main Photo Credit: Infrogmation of New Orleans / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0

Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp

Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp award-winning garden writer, editor, and speaker. (She speaks at libraries, garden clubs, public gardens, home and garden shows, Master Gardener groups, and horticulture industry events.) Known as a hortiholic, she frequently says her eyes are too big for her yard. She blogs at hoosiergardener.com. Posts by Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp

Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp award-winning garden writer, editor, and speaker. (She speaks at libraries, garden clubs, public gardens, home and garden shows, Master Gardener groups, and horticulture industry events.) Known as a hortiholic, she frequently says her eyes are too big for her yard. She blogs at hoosiergardener.com.

Nowadays, there is no problem with what to put under an above-ground pool, as there are many different options of liners on the market. They are easy to install, protect the bottom from damage and last a long time. 

Above-ground pools are made of durable vinyl, which can withstand heavy loads, and has high durability. But such a coating can easily be damaged by an ordinary stick, stone, rebar, or glass. For this reason, manufacturers of above-ground pools recommend laying underlayment and building catwalks and cement bases before installation on the surface. We wrote how to make a cement base in our article &#; how to build a base for a hot tub. And now, we tell in detail what to put under an above-ground pool.

How to choose what to put under above-ground pools

The substrate and the base under the frame pool perform crucial functions:

• Cushioning the bottom, helping to reduce its wear and tear.
• Insulation that retains the heat of the water.
• Cutting off the bottom material from contact with the soil, moisture, and minor irregularities.

The substrate or base under the pool must be strong and be able to withstand heavy loads. The substrate should be laid in an even layer on a level surface: no bulges, debris, tree roots, or anything else. Foreign objects can damage it, and if heavily loaded, they can puncture the bottom of the pool.

&#;You should not use fabrics made of natural materials that can absorb moisture and rot. Such substrates not only fail to perform their tasks but also harm the bottom material and destroy the site.

Experts recommend choosing a substrate that is larger than the pool frame. After taking water procedures, you will be able to go out to a dry and clean area and leave things on it.

Below we will look at these options in more detail:

OptionsBest for

Concrete Slab

Suitable for those who want to do everything once &#; reliably and permanently. This option requires an initial time commitment, but then it will serve for years and does not require any investments and actions with it.SandIt is a simpler and more affordable option than a concrete slab. It is suitable for those who want to install the pool themselves and save a little money. But the sand will need to be periodically corrected.Pre-Cut Pool PadThis option is for those who want to save time but not money. These liners are sold pre-made in size and just need to be placed under an above-ground pool.

Flooring Underlayment

It is suitable as a temporary option, provided that you have a flat area under the pool.Interlocking Foam TilesThis option is also suitable for people who want to make substrates on their own. It&#;s easy to lay and affordable. But, over time, this material can wear out.

Carpet Padding

Such a liner is best used only as a last resort when you badly want to swim and have no other options, but not for long.Natural GroundWe do not recommend anyone to put an above-ground pool on bare ground &#; that way, the pool will quickly fall into disrepair.How to choose above-ground pool accessories

Also, for the proper maintenance of an above-ground pool, in addition to the substrate under the bottom, you may need additional accessories.and examples of popular items you can read in our article.

What to put under above-ground pools?

Each of the substrates below has its pros and cons, which play a significant role when choosing a foundation for your pool. Experts recommend giving preference to full-fledged cement bases. But other options also have a place if you do not want to spend time preparing the site for the full-fledged base installation: remove the top layer of soil, level the area, lay several layers of different materials, construct a frame, and so on. Ready-made solutions significantly save time, effort, and money.

Choosing what to put under the surface pool, you should consider how easy it is to work with the material and how much it costs.

Concrete Slab

For above-ground pools, the base of the cement &#; is a reliable and durable solution that can solve the problem of what to put under the artificial pond for many years.

Cement is suitable when the pool and platform are not going to be removed for an extended period. In this case, the cement is used not as an independent material but as part of the podium structure.

A substrate should be placed between the cement and the pool. Below we provide information on what options to put under an above-ground pool on concrete. 

Pros

• High strength and reliability.
• Durability provided the use of quality materials and compliance with manufacturing technology.
• Resistant to high humidity and temperature extremes.
• Wear resistance.
• Affordable cost.

Cons

• The difficulty of installation.
• Concrete is dusty if you do not cover it with finishing materials.
• The risk of deformation of the coating in severe frosts.
• Solidification and hardening of concrete will require at least 20 days.
• Not very aesthetically pleasing.
• If cracks appear, it is impossible to repair &#; you will have to replace the layer completely

Sand

It is a simple and accessible material from which you can make a base for the pool by yourself.

For such a substrate to be as effective as possible, it is necessary to remove some soil from the installation site of the structure and fill it with sand. The finished substrate is moistened with water and tamped.

Compared to concrete slabs, the sand will eventually wear out and erode during heavy rain. Also, animals can dig in it and create holes.

Pros

• Availability.
• Low cost.
• Ease of execution.

Cons

• Short-lived (the sand is washed away by rain, and pits appear).
• Hard physical costs when doing the work.

Pre-Cut Pool Pad

Pool pads are made of geotextile, a moisture-proof, durable material specifically designed to cushion and protect the bottom of an above-ground pool.

Typically, the laying of geotextile is performed on a prepared base. Pads are easy to install because they are sold pre-cut in standard sizes. The only thing is that they are one of the most expensive options on this list.

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For more information, please visit Inflatable Swimming Pool.

Pros

• Durability (not affected by chemicals, not destroyed).
• Strength.
• Moisture resistance.
• Sold in ready-made sizes.

Cons

• Relatively high price.
• Loss of quality when directly exposed to sunlight.

Flooring Underlayment

Flooring underlayment is not usually used without additional materials as a substrate. It is used to cover a substrate whose moisture protection properties are too low. In the absence of alternatives, polyethylene can only use as a temporary version of the substrate for one season.

Pros

• Low cost.
• Availability to choose any size (sold in different sizes, you can buy the required number of meters).
• Easy installation.

Cons

• Low durability (easily damaged).
• Exposure to sunlight.
• Little compensation for deformations of the substrate.

Interlocking Foam Tiles

Another good option for the substrate under the pool is interlocking foam tiles. They are easy to install, and foam is sold in many hardware stores. Choose non-porous thin options in order so that they don&#;t absorb moisture. 

The foam should be placed on a hard and stable surface. Then you will have smooth and pleasant padding for your feet. 

Pros

• It has excellent insulating and reinforcing properties.
• Easily foldable to form a soft, even surface.
• Non-slip, especially comfortable for children&#;s bathing.

Cons

• It&#;s hard to cut if the size doesn&#;t fit.
• Depending on the size, they can be expensive.

Carpet Padding

Many articles have written that carpet can be a good option as a substrate for the pool because it is economical and readily available. But we don&#;t think it&#;s a viable option. The fibers of the carpet will always be wet. Because the carpet is hard to dry, it will quickly get moldy and have an unpleasant odor. It is better to choose another of the available options, such as sand.

Pros

• &#;heap or even free.
• Readily available.
• Protects from foreign objects.

Cons

• It doesn&#;t dry out well, so it spoils.

Natural Ground

You can&#;t just put the pool on the ground. The turf layer under the bottom will begin to rot and sag, creating conditions for the destruction of an above-ground pool. A correctly prepared site will extend the life of the artificial pond.

How to prepare the bottom for an above-ground pool?

First of all, it is necessary to choose a suitable location for the pool. The selection should be made according to the distance to the nearest source of water supply, electricity, and sewerage. Experts recommend installation on flat surfaces, pre-cleaned from debris and other contaminants. The absence of trees and bushes near you will spend less time cleaning because leaves, sticks, and fruit will not fall inside the pool.

But if you don&#;t have the right place to keep the pool clog-free you can choose the best above-ground pool filter pump to simplify the cleaning process and spend less time on it and more time enjoying swimming in a spotless pool.

Preparation of the area is carried out in several stages:

• Location selection, removal of all foreign objects.
• Marking the shape of the bottom, removing the layer of turf.
• About 15-20 cm deep, remove the top fertile layer of soil.
• Thoroughly level the surface, and check the level by the construction level.

Installation Tips

Maybe you want to know what to put under the pool, which stands on the grass, concrete, or gravel. We have also looked into this question.

What to put under an above-ground pool on grass?

If you do not want to remove the top layer of soil, you will need to treat the grass with herbicide before installing an above-ground pool (provided the ground surface is level). After that, you can lay any option that suits you: 

• Pre-cut pool pad
• Flooring underlayment
• Interlocking foam tiles

What to put under an above-ground pool on concrete?

Above we wrote that there should be an additional layer &#; a substrate between a concrete base and the bottom of the pool. It prevents the bottom of the pool from rubbing off and wearing out.

You can put interlocking foam tiles or a pre-cut pad on the concrete so it won&#;t get dusty, and your feet will feel soft. Also, children won&#;t get hurt if they fall on the foam tiles.

What to put under an above-ground pool on rocks/gravel?

Do not put rocks and gravel under an above-ground pool &#; otherwise, it will damage the bottom. It is better to choose reliable and durable concrete or a cheaper option with easier installation &#; sand. Gravel can be placed around the perimeter of the pool to serve as drainage to avoid puddles.

Summary

Now you know what options are available and what is better to put under an above-ground pool in your case. 

When installing an above-ground pool, the substrate is a vital part of the entire structure. Without a well-prepared base, a pool bottom will quickly fall into disrepair and will not be comfortable to use. Therefore, it is significant to take this issue seriously and choose the best option.

The substrate or base under the pool must be strong and be able to withstand heavy loads. The substrate should be laid in an even layer on a level surface: no bulges, debris, tree roots, or anything else. Foreign objects can damage it, and if heavily loaded, they can puncture the bottom of the pool.

FAQ

&#;What is the best thing to put underneath an above-ground pool?

The best option for installing the pool is a concrete base with an additional substrate, so the bottom of the pond will not wear out. This option is labor-intensive but the most reliable and durable, so the pool will work for you for 10-15 years. As the substrate suitable are interlocking foam tiles, they are soft and pleasant to feel on the feet. And they are also easy to install.

&#;How to prepare the bottom for an above-ground pool?

Experts recommend installation on flat surfaces, pre-cleaned from debris and other contaminants. Area preparation is carried out in several stages:

Location selection, removal of all foreign objects.

Marking the shape of the bottom, removing the layer of turf.

About 15-20 cm deep, remove the top fertile layer of soil.

Thoroughly level the surface, and check the level by the construction level.

&#;Do you need a mat under an above-ground pool?

The pool bottom can easily be damaged by an ordinary stick, stone, rebar, or glass. For your above-ground pool to serve you for a long time, it is necessary to put under it a substrate. It can be concrete, sand, a pre-cut pool pad, flooring underlayment, or interlocking foam tiles.

&#;Should you use a liner pad for an above-ground pool?

We recommend using interlocking foam tiles. They are easy to install, and foam is sold in many hardware stores. Choose non-porous thin options so they don&#;t absorb moisture and the ground under the slabs does not rot. Also, foam tiles have excellent insulating and reinforcing properties.

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