What Should You Put Under Above Ground Pool Legs?
The best thing to put under above ground pool legs is 1ft x 1ft 4-inch-thick concrete pavers. These are the kinds of pavers that go underneath trailers and are sometimes called trailer pads in places like Home Depot. They’re perfect for supporting the weight of a pool.
The second best thing to put under AGP legs is pressure-treated wooden blocks. These are durable, weatherproof, and fairly cheap as well!
When placing the pavers underneath each pool leg, remember to level out the ground beforehand. This means digging into the high points so your pool doesn’t slope and the legs don’t bend.
Below, I’ll go into what you can place under your above ground pool legs in more detail, as there are a few other options you can try.
What Can You Place Under Pool Legs?
There are several materials you can place under your Intex or AGP legs to prevent damage, sinking, and bending. However, some are much better than others.
I’ll list a few below and let you know what I recommend.
Thick Pavers/Trailer Pads (Most Effective)
I’ve already mentioned this before above, but thick concrete pavers are the best material to place under your above ground pool legs.
Make sure they are at least 4 inches thick and large enough to cover the diameter of the pool legs.
These pavers are sometimes called trailer pads – as they’re the pads they use under trailer wheels. If they can support a trailer, they can support your pool regardless of its weight.
Better yet, thick pavers are weatherproof, cheap, easy to find, and don’t get mold or bacteria growth. You can usually pick them up at your local handyman store, Lowes, or Home Depot.
Wooden Blocks/Planks (Second Favorite)
My second recommendation is to use pressure-treated wood blocks. Pressure-treated blocks have been treated in a way that makes them more durable, weatherproof, and resistant to mold and bacteria growth. Thus, making them a decent option for pool leg support.
The reason you might want to use wood over concrete is that some above ground pool legs don’t rest easily on pavers, especially U-bend legs. So, treated wood is sometimes the better option.
You can pick up thick wooden planks/blocks at most handyman stores – you’ll want woods that have 2-4 inches of thickness. Most stores will cut the wood for you as well to your specified measurements, saving you time at home.
I have also read of owners using railway sleepers to support their pool legs. These are durable and sturdy enough for the job, and they are fairly cheap – you can pick up 6 for around $130. If they’re good enough to support a train, they’re good enough for your pool.
Bricks
You can use bricks to support your pool legs but I wouldn’t recommend it. Bricks are prone to cracking and breaking, especially when exposed to harsh weather. They might work temporarily but they’ll probably fracture throughout the summer.
The exception here is if you’re using a treated kind of brick, such as a sealed brick. These are strong and weatherproof, so they will last the duration of summer without issue.
Still, pavers and wooden blocks are still my go-to.
Sand
I’ve heard of people using sand and other aggregates to support their legs but this isn’t a great idea for the long term. It’s also very messy.
Sand is susceptible to mold and bacteria growth, especially when it comes into contact with water. Additionally, if you splash around in the pool a lot or have children, the sand will get pushed out from under the legs and slowly wash away.
Also, if you’re using gravel, be warned that you could end up poking holes in your pool lining!
Where I do see sand as a good option is if you’re using it alongside pavers or wooden blocks. You can use the sand as an additional cushion whilst the pavers sit on top. For an added layer of protection, you can add a tarp or pool pad, but this is optional.
Foam Pads (If You’re on Concrete)
If you’re on concrete, you probably won’t need thick pavers, blocks, or sand. However, for added support, you can use foam pads/blocks underneath each leg. This will add an additional level of cushioning to the pool and prevent your patio or driveway from getting damaged.
How to Place Concrete Pavers or Wood Under Your Pool Legs
Placing pavers, wooden blocks, or any other material is fairly simple. I’ll go over the steps you should follow below so you can get your legs supported as soon as possible.
Safety First!
Make sure you’re placing the pavers under the legs carefully and with proper help. Pavers and blocks are heavy. Also, be careful not to damage the pool lining if you’re jacking up the legs (as I’ll explain later).
If the Pool is Level
If your pool is on level ground, you have it easy as you won’t have to dig into the ground. You can start placing the blocks under the legs straight away.
Method 1:
The first method is to mark out where your pool legs are going to be and dig down slightly. Then, place the paver or wooden block into the groove, making sure it’s both level and sturdy. If it isn’t, it could damage or puncture your pool lining.
If there are any holes or uneven surfaces, you can use sand or gravel to fill in the gap (this is optional). Additionally, if you want extra protection, you can place a foam pool pad on top of the pavers.
After all this, you can start to erect your pool on top making sure each leg matches the location of each paver.
Method 2:
Another method is to place the pavers under the legs whilst the above ground pool is up. Preferably, make sure the pool is empty, but you can do the following method with the pool slightly full. Just be warned you could cause damage.
With the pool erected, get yourself a floor jack and a 2×4 plank of wood. Place the 2×4 between the floor jack lifting head and the T-section of the leg. Then, slowly lift the leg up until you can place your paver underneath.
Be very careful when you do this and make sure to use a floor jack, not a bottle jack! A floor jack has a larger lifting head and will prevent the plank from slipping.
See this video for a live demonstration:
If the Pool is not Level
if your pool is not level, you have some extra work to do. The same methods above apply here, but you’ll need to get the ground underneath the pool level before you can begin adding leg support.
Dig Into High Points
Firstly, identify high points in the ground where your pool is and dig down into them with a standard shovel. You want to make the area a sort-of ledge that is straight, so your AGP doesn’t slope.
Level as Precisely as Possible
If the ground causes the pool to flex even 1 inch out of position, it could be damaged. So, you need to be precise when leveling.
The best method is to use a laser leveler.
Use Either Method 1 or 2 Above
Once you have the ground smooth, you can begin using one of the methods detailed above to place your leg support down.
Don’t use top soil to level
Avoid using top soil as a way to create an even surface. You can utilize this material to even smaller sections and holes, but you shouldn’t use it entirely. Always dig into high spots.
What are the Benefits of Placing Blocks/Pavers Under Your Pool Legs?
For those wondering what the benefits of doing all this are, I’ll detail them quickly below:
- Prevents the Legs Bending and Buckling – Using effective support under above ground pool legs helps to prevent bending and leaning.
- Stops Leg Sinkage – If you’re placing the pool on softer mud or material, support will stop the legs from sinking over time. Meaning you won’t have to dig them out closer to winter.
- Increases Leg Lifespan – Generally, providing leg support will improve the lifespan of your pool legs, leading to fewer replacements in the future.