Installing an Above Ground Pool on Concrete

Installing an Above Ground Pool on Concrete

The vast majority of above ground swimming pools are built directly on the ground. In some areas of the country the ground is too hard as it is mostly rock or hard clay. These areas have to be dug up and/or chipped away into a flat area and then sand or limestone is brought in for leveling. In these areas, the price to have the pool installed is considerably more because machinery and materials are needed to get the ground level and the pool’s bottom flat and smooth.

Here in Central Florida (yeah, that’s where I am), installations are easier because our earth is mostly sand. I use a skid-steer machine to level the ground, because I’m now older and smarter, but most installers don’t use a machine. I always state that when you are installing an above ground pool, preparing the ground is half of the job. Preparing the ground and pool’s bottom requires most of the craftsmanship.

It is truly an art form when it comes to getting an above ground pool’s bottom flat and smooth using just the earth and/or added material. After about 25 installations, most new installers have learned to build an above ground pool’s structure pretty well and can even get the liner somewhat free of wrinkles too. Making a smooth and flat bottom is a different story. I have to say it probably takes an installer who values quality a couple hundred installations before he becomes somewhat proficient at making a nice flat pool bottom.

A flat, smooth pool bottom isn’t a must-have, but it does make your pool much nicer to use and keep clean. Above ground pool bottoms with sharp objects pointing up, and bumps and dips and footprints usually won’t cause any issues. It will only feel different to your feet and be more challenging to vacuum. Simply using an OK installer instead of one with twenty-nine years of experience (shameless self-promotion) will make all the difference if you want to have a nice pool bottom.

So why all this talk of earth-based pool bottoms when the title of this blog post is about installing on concrete? Well, I’m just getting you prepped for why you would consider putting your above ground on concrete. It’s really rare for people to decide to install their pool on concrete mainly because of the cost. There are advantages to doing this so if you are thinking about it and have the money, then here are some things you need to know.

Five Reasons Why You May Want to Install Your Pool on Concrete

Let’s start with why most people elect NOT to install their pool on concrete. The reason is – money. Concrete is expensive! It is really expensive. How much you ask? Well, it’s hard to say exactly as it depends on the size of the pool, what town you live in, and what your earth consists of and how much leveling is required. Keep in mind that you still have to prepare the ground by making it level to within at least a couple of inches or less so whatever that takes will add to the price. The price of concrete and concrete work varies. It depends on where you live. So, to find out a ballpark figure, call a couple of concrete guys and ask about the price for about a 500 sq ft level slab (that’s good for about a 24’ round pool). When you are done shrieking, remember I told you it’s pricey.

1. A Concrete Pool Bottom Is Nicer Than an Earth Bottom

If you only read the headlines of this blog post, then go back and read the beginning. I am an artist at making an earth or sand bottom clean and smooth and flat, but even I am no match for concrete. Concrete starts out like liquid and then slowly gets harder and harder. This is why you can get it really flat and smooth.

2. Nutgrass Cannot Grow Through Concrete

In a lot of areas, nutgrass or nutsedge (look it up) is an issue for above ground pools. I’ve seen nutgrass grow through heavy-duty tarps, gorilla pads, high-density foam boards, and then of course, pool liners. Some products boast that they can prevent nutgrass from damaging pool liners and maybe some can. Who knows? There is one thing I know for sure and that is nutgrass cannot grow through concrete. Period.

3. Moles Cannot Cause Ruts in Concrete

Moles don’t pose a huge problem for above ground pools, but for some they are a destructive pain in the bottom. They can burrow under a pool and cause trails and ruts everywhere messing up that beautifully smooth bottom I made. It’s rare, but over the years I’ve had a few pool owners have no choice but to pour concrete for their pool bottom because of their extreme mole problem. It’s an expensive fix, but works 100% of the time.

4. The Shifting of the Earth, Decomposing Roots, Horned Nosed Beetles, Termites, and Ants Can’t Affect a Concrete Bottom

This is a general reason. The earth is a dynamic place that has movement and living things that move and eat and destroy. A concrete barrier between the liner and this environment blocks all of earth’s drama.

5. Concrete Doesn’t Wash Away

Above ground pools usually don’t have many issues with leaks until the liner gets old and brittle. At that point it’s time for a new liner so it’s OK for the leaking water to wash some of the smooth earth away as the bottom can get resmoothed when you change the liner. Leaks can happen earlier than that though and they can cause divots in the pool’s earth bottom. It’s not a big deal but it does take away that nice flat bottom you started with in some areas. Concrete doesn’t wash away. No matter how much the pool leaks, a concrete bottom will never change and will always be as flat and smooth as it was on day one.

Getting a Concrete Bottom for Your Above Ground?

Here is some information you’ll need.

  1. It doesn’t matter whether you get a brushed or smooth concrete bottom. You are going to need foam coves and a liner guard/gorilla pad. Liners that sit directly on concrete are problematic and cause leaks.
  2. Planning on using an existing slab? Remember it’s got to be level. Outdoor concrete slabs all have slopes for rainwater to drain away. If the slab has a slope that is greater than an inch, you’ll somehow have to make it level.
  3. Pour the concrete slab first and then build the pool on it. Don’t build the pool and then pour concrete inside the pool’s wall. Why not? Ask me at
  4. Make your slab level and at least a foot bigger all around than the dimension of your pool’s size. Example: A 24’ round pool should have a 26’ round concrete slab.
  5. Planning on putting an oval-shaped pool on concrete? Don’t bother. It is too much of a pain.
  6. You’ll absolutely need to have a lot of cash or credit.

99 thoughts on “Installing an Above Ground Pool on Concrete

      1. So is a possible solution to channel out the buttress supports and then recement @ 3 inches lower? In my case I also have plates that sit inside it is a real pain but we have no choice as we need the cement given our yard is on a hill.

        1. I have never heard of that technique. Thanks. I’m going to start suggesting this to my leak inquiries. I’m sure some will try it. I wonder how well it can work.

        2. Another solution:
          First construct a outer frame 2×6-or 8 high (1-2 feet larger in both directions) surrounding the pool base. Set the buttress’ & plates on (bolt them to) the concrete slab, and cover/compact to level with (a lot more) sand. Outside (between the liner & shell & outer frame) fill with pee gravel or decorative/drain-able) rock… also inside the outer frame(before you asemble the pool) can be lined with plastic..& drains to outdoors, a “basin” to catch a leak if the pool is indoors.

      2. Why not set the buttress structures that sit lower first and shim the other structures with roofing composition?
        I’m not a pool installer and will be doing my first install on existing concrete that has slope AND a V channel down the middle of a 15′ x 40′ side patio.

        Any pointers would be appreciated and being a General Contractor and a Concrete Contractor in Ca. maybe I can return the favor with any questions you may have.

        Thanx in advanced,

        1. David, I suppose that would work but I wouldn’t think of doing it as a paid job because it’ll be a pain to get correctly level and the majority of the structure will be floating off the concrete. It may be better (since you are a concrete guy) to cut the existing concrete in the areas where the buttresses sit so you can recess them. This would allow at least half of the pool’s bottom frame to sit on the patio. This I have done once and it was a lot of work.

          Doing the above(recessing the buttresses) is good but you still have the issue of the existing deck being sloped and therefore not level. You could shim half of the pool up on the low side or take the harder option which is to once again get out your concrete saw and cut a channel of concrete out of where the bottom pool track goes.

          I’m sure you can make your mentioned idea work and it be less work than my way. You are the pool owner so it doesn’t have to be correct. Cutting concrete is the way a guy who knows what he is doing and you would be paying would do it though.

  1. Do you put gravel under the concrete slab or is leveling/compacting the ground enough for a base for the slab? Thank you

  2. This may be a strange thing to ask…..
    We have a huge cement slab roof deck, and last year had a 12ft x 30in pool on it and had no problems, but this year the only available pool is 22ft x 4ft.
    This more than doubles the total water weight to 89000lbs roughly. Do you think this could damage the roof or even collapse the roof?
    The roof is 8-10inches thick reinforced concrete with the rebar in 10inch x 3inch boxes, supported on 20inch posts.

    Thanks for any thoughts on this. have a great day….

    1. Are roofs ever made to support that much weight? (Rhetorical question, as MOST are not.)

      If that’s your only option, you should check with a structural engineeer.

    2. I do structural concrete work and you should check with a structural engineer like the other person suggested. I would not risk that amount of weight on it, I doubt it was designed for it and could fail.

  3. Wondering the same question. I have a concrete space where our garage used to be. Do I need to put sand down before putting the pool up also?

    1. I wouldn’t worry much unless the wall’s protective coating was taken off. If so, recoat with something protective. And I still wouldn’t worry much about it.

  4. This article addresses concrete… but what about pavers? We have a large paver patio and would like to set up a 12 x 30 Intex Prism/metal frame OGP. What challenges do you think we will face with pavers? (We plan to have the pool set up for the summer but to take it down for the winter.) Thanks!

    1. I wouldn’t trust pavers because they are individual pieces that can shift/sink/break and the possibility of puncturing your liner great increases.

      1. Hi! Thank you for all your guidance. On a paver patio, what could we put under the pool to accomodate for the gradual 2” slope?

        1. Hi, Lacy: I’m in “Sunny” South FL and have had my 14′ Round pool on an existing concrete patio for 1-year now, however, that 2″ slope issue has been bothering me. Did you receive any suggestions?

        2. The wall of the pool has to be level. The rest of the bottom does not. You could use wood shims under the bottom connector plates on the lower side of the pool to make the bottom track level. Then, if you want to be fancy, you could spray foam under the track to keep in in place if the wood rots later. After the track is level, install the wall and install the foam coving. The pool bottom with be 2″ lower on one side but the pool will be level.

      2. So how do I level the ground on concrete and how do I measure the slope size? Never done this before and I want to put a 12 foot circular pool up. All I need are foam coves and a tough pad? Do I need a sand pit?

  5. Why shouldn’t an oval-shaped pool be put on concrete? Just curious.
    But my main question is, we are going to be removing an outdoor hot tub from our back deck which is sitting on an existing 10×10 concrete slab. We want to replace the hot tub with a 9×18 rectangle above ground pool. Do you have any suggestions on how we should build onto the 10×10 existing slab to make it large enough for our 9×18 pool?

    1. Hi. If you read the article, it will tell you why. Jus’ Sayin’. And you are asking how to make a 10’x10′ slab large enough for a 9’x18′ pool? Ummm, Add more concrete or pavers to accommodate the pool’s structure? I have no idea why my girlfriend calls me “captain obvious”.

  6. Actually I need to ask a question, we are going to put our pool on concrete, and my son wants to paint a rubber coating on it before putting the pool on it, but I think that we still need to put a pad on it also to protect the liner, will the rubber sealant work without the pad or should we still need to put a pad on it also. Thanks

    1. I have no clue if the rubber paint is good. I do know that sometimes liners don’t react or last well next to petroleum based products. I say get the liner pad and foam cove and forget about the rubber.

  7. My whole backyard is covered in concrete. It appears to be level. Can I put an above-ground pool directly on top of the existing slab or do I need to put some sort of protective barrier down between the slab and the pool?

    1. Thanks for asking, GiGI. I have the same question. My fear is that my concrete backyard isn’t poured thick enough to hold a large pool so I was just going to get a small rubber or soft sided pool that fits 4 or 6 people. I was told a couple times that concrete can’t bear much weight so I’m even worried about this small pool being too heavy. Dan, do you have any suggestions?

      1. How thick is your concrete? Is it cracking because it’s so thin? Regardless, you can put a pool on concrete as long as you have the foam cove and a protective pad, or styrofoam sheeting, or a rug, or something to protect the liner from the concrete surface. If you think about it, most above ground pools set directly on the ground and if installed right, don’t go anywhere. Why would a thin layer of concrete go somewhere when the ground beneath it doesn’t?

  8. Hello my husband bought an above ground swimming pool it came with an green liner to go under the pool he said that since it was on concrete he wouldn’t have to put it down I think it was supposed to go down is he right or am I right not meant for i am right and he is not just a question

    1. My guess is you have an Intex pool or soft sided pool? If so, then he is right. You don’t need to put that extremely thin and cheap tarp down that it comes with.

  9. Hello Dan,

    I am having a galvanized steel framed 15′ x 48″ Intex (model 28235EH) above ground pool installed on top of cement pavers, which were already in place. What should I put in between the pavers and pool to keep both protected? My concern is the water may stain/damage the pavers (if/when I want to remove the pool), and I want the pool liner & frame to last as long as possible. I also do not want the flooring to be uncomfortable when standing inside the pool. Thank you so much for sharing your expertise with all of us.
    Stay Cool! Marianne

  10. I have a concrete pad bigger enough for 2 12x24x52. Question Shopping list? With that much concrete is there a problem?
    I need a list of all items for a good brand 12x24x52 and all stuff needed for a good set up.
    I’d like to get a solar cover to keep it warm in Southern Nevada. It gets hot in summers. But, like to use most of the year. Email information

    1. No problem with the concrete. Make sure its level enough though. And I have calluses on my hands so you’ll have to get your list from someone who gets paid to sell pools. I only get paid to install them.

  11. Have a trick question. I’m looking to make an above ground concrete lap pool. Dimensions are 36′ long 8′ wide and 4′ deep.

    Great article. Now I want to keep this truly ABOVE ground pool but I get that I might need to have a portion of that 4′ height in ground in order for it to settle on level ground. How many inches do I need to excavate? Also do I need to use rebar as a foundation?

  12. I have a garage that is pretty old and the roof is Failing, the inside slab it sits on is level, it is cement block walls and technically it sits on a slope so part of it is underground. i plan on removing the roof of the garage and some of the block down to ground level basically using the remains as a retaining wall……Anyone have any thoughts ?

  13. I am getting a pool that is 18ftx9ftx52 inches. We are placing it on our patio as we have a very small backyard. My concern is the patio is sloped, about 3/4 to 1 inch across 9 feet (the patio is 16 feet wide). I was considering building a frame and leveling it with crushed gravel. Is this the only way to do it? Will the supports of the pool eventually sink into the gravel? Would I need to secure the frame to the patio? The hope is to not have to drill into the concrete.

    1. The easiest way to put the pool where you want it is to build a big sand box with about 4-6 inches deep of sand. Build the pool on that. It won’t move as long as the sandbox doesn’t come apart years from now.

      1. Dan, I have a similar situation to Rob above except trying to install an inexpensive Coleman 18′ round pool on existing 18×18 patio section which has a fair amount of pea gravel floating on surface (not smooth concrete). My biggest concern is the existing slope for drainage: how much slope is considered too much and why?

        I like the sand box idea, both for leveling and smoothing out the rough pea gravel concrete surface…

        1. The pool being off anything more than an inch can give you issues. At one inch off, your eye begins to see the off level. At two inches off, a soft sided pool starts to slowly lose its shape towards the low spot. At three inches off, the pool will lose its shape enough to start spilling over the low side.

  14. We had a 16′ x 32′ in ground pool with a deep end that we filled in with sand 20 years ago. It has concrete totally around the pool. My question is. Can I install a 15′ x 30′ pool buttress free on top of the old in ground pool? I need some advice on what I can or should not do. Thank you kindly.

    1. Yes you can but it’s gonna be a tough install. You’ll need to make room for the new pool’s buttress structures which will more then likely run into the old pool structure. This means cutting out just the areas of the old pool that you need the extra room for. Honestly, that sounds like more fun than I would want to have.

  15. My ground settled on one side after leveling, and my Intex pool would ’empty’ when it rained, by about a foot or so. I want to put in a concrete slab to help level the area for the pool this year…is there a tolerance level for leveling the ground before concrete and how thick would be sufficient to hold a 20′ diameter pool 4’deep?

    1. For the cost of the concrete, I would say to see how much it would be to buy a real above ground and install it properly on level ground. If you are set on dealing with an Intex pool though, I don’t think you have to worry about ground tolerances before the concrete. And unless your yard is a swamp or there was a mild earthquake, your earth didn’t settle that much. More than likely, you did a poor job leveling the earth before the install. You are going to have to level the earth really well before pouring the concrete though so maybe after that, you don’t need the concrete after all. Know what I’m saying here? And 2″ thick is probably all you need as the slab will probably crack anyway.

  16. I have a question. Last summer my 24 foot round above ground pool collapsed. I have just gotten a 27 foot round pool. The old pad of dirt from the old pool is packed hard with a few cracks in it. We were planning to set the new one up ourselves. One of the main friends we have to help wants to just add sand to make up the difference for the bugger pool. My concern is when the added sand to make it for a 27 foot settles that it may cause issues and cause the walls to collapse. Should we dig up all the dirt and start over or is this man correct in just adding the difference to make up for the 27 foot pool? Also his first thoughts were to pour Sakrete to accommodate the 27 foot pool. I didn’t think the weight would hold with Sakrete. But now after reading this thread I’m thinking I may check into this. But if it’s too expensive should we redig the entire old pad and start fresh or pack sand around the old pad to make up the difference. Thank you so much for any help. I’ve been searching all over the Internet until I found you. Please and thank you.

  17. I have a question, we have built the concrete slab to put our pool, but how do we install a pole pool on it. Do we need to use pavers for the braces, and how do we attach the tall poles that came with our pool. Thanks a bunch for your information.

  18. I have a Legacy soft side 18’×52″ pool with a 50mil liner. I was thinking of installing it on an existing slab instead of building a sand box for it. My current slab is 16×18 so I’m going to have to expand it somewhat.
    I have 2 questions.
    1. Do I need a liner between the pool and the slab?
    2. Do I really need to pour a 4″ thick slab?

  19. I wanted your advice , if we put a large oval pool on a level concrete slab, could you possibly put padding, foam under the pool liner to compensate for the difference in the track and the buttresses?

    1. You can for the bottom but I probably wouldn’t use it as shim material under the bottom connector plates(patio blocks). You don’t want anything that might be able to wash away.

  20. What would you suggest to use for leveling the wall (shims) on the sloped side of the concrete, Approximately 1 to 1-1/2″ slope ?
    And then use cove base for the sides and just have a deep end bottom from 0 to 1-1/2″ ?

    1. Something that won’t quickly rust or rot. Pieces of gavanized steel as shims under each bottom connector (on the low side) would work well. And then, yes adjust the foam coving accordingly. Don’t forget a liner guard.

  21. The area we want to install our pool is half concrete and the other half is grass. If we remove the grass..can we put a layer of topsoil over the concrete to level it and then cover with sand?

    1. Yes that’ll be fine. I don’t think you need both sand and top soil though. I’d leave the concrete exposed and then bring the earth side up to match with sand or top soil. You could make the earth side bottom an inch or so higher to allow for the weight of the water to push it down some. Make sure and use foam coving and a liner pad.

  22. We just bought a 15′ x 52″ round steel wall pool from Doheny’s. We plan to put it on a concrete patio that measures 15′ x 20′. There is a slope which a neighbor measured at 4″, but my husband thinks is more like 1.5″ to 2″ according to the water level of a previous more inexpensive pool we had on the site for 6 years . I’ve been researching how to remedy this slope issue. One person suggested using roofing shingles to build up the low end. We do have a pool pad and coving. We don’t mind if one side of the pool is a little deeper, but don’t want to risk damaging the integrity of the pool. Thanks

    1. It’s important to get the wall of the pool level. The pools bottom doesn’t matter much. Four inches is a lot to be off though so definitely use whatever to jack up the wall on the low side of the patio to make it level with the high side. Roofing shingles should be fine as long as you have the foam cove and pad.

  23. Sorry, guess I forgot to ask my question. Do you think roofing shingles can work to level the patio? Will the bottom of the pool be too bumpy?

  24. I have had my 24′ round steel sided pool for a year and a half. At he end of last year about 3 moles moved in under the side of pool causing the weight of the water to cave in the trails. This year this moles came back with a vengeance. I probably have 20 different cave-ins under the pool. I am in MO , on a farm that will never be rid of the moles unless I do the “Cadyshack” thing. I am just looking for some help with my options, if any. Thank you from an old retired GI.

    1. Hi Dave. Just this week, a customer of mine said he stopped moles from going under his pool by burying mothballs about a foot down and all the way around the pool. Give that try.

    1. Pavers are typically more expensive than poured concrete per square foot but I’m not sure what you mean in terms of a pool install. We use single pavers under each upright(for leveling and shape) and it’s rare for someone to make the entire bottom of their pool using pavers or concrete.

  25. We are preparing to install a 28′ Doughboy on a 32′ round concrete pad. Is 4000 psi mix, 5″ thick and #4 rebar and cure n seal overkill or just right? We are working with a great concrete contractor but neither of us really know what types of requirements and thickness is needed. Another concrete contractor who installs pools mentioned using Pool Krete but with this being for an above ground pool, I didn’t know if that was normal/necessary instead of concrete. We have a mole worry and want a quality built but unnecessary expense with the pour. We will be using a liner pad and cove. Thanks in advance!

    1. Yes I think that is overkill but if you do that, you’ll be worry free. It’s rare(at least here in Florida) that people pour a concrete pad for their above ground pool bottom as it’s really expensive. I have seen people pour only 2″ think concrete with no steel mesh and it be fine. In that case, there may be some bigger cracks later on but nothing too bad. Keep in mind that you are doing this only to prevent mole damage. An above ground pool can install directly on the ground and requires no additional bottom support(other than the coving) and it will stay in place. What’s most important when pouring a concrete pad for your pool is that the pad be really, really level as the pool wall will be sitting directly on it.

  26. I’m having a 18′ slab poured for a 18′ Intex round pool. 1st do I need to have the slab exactly 18′ or a few inches bigger? I was told with the legs it’s right at 18′. Also the concrete company recommends a 6″ slab @ 4000psi. The weight of water is 58,222 lbs. I was thinking a 4″ slab @ 3000psi would be sufficient. Is this right? Ps. I live in sw texas.

    1. if the walls are put up first.. that means they are on “ground” and not concrete.. soooo, the concrete gets poured into the pool area and “sets up’ against the walls? so the pool is not really sitting on concrete.. i am concerned about my pool because this is how it was installed…

      1. So that means if you ever want to take down the wall of the pool, you will have to tear up the concrete in order to get the wall & legs out of the concrete! That was done wrong in my opinion.

  27. Can I fill the deep end of an above ground pool with pea gravel, level it with a layer of concrete and finish off with a layer of vermiculite and cement before putting a new one depth liner? (i.e. no deep end) It’s a 32′ x 16′.

  28. Do you have to go a couple of inches in ground for an above ground slab cement for a pool. Or can cement slab be above ground?

  29. Dan, I am recovering a 24′ round pool that had the wall bottom edge crushed upward by frost heaving this winter.
    A concrete base seems like the best measure to prevent this.
    Why not pour a ring, 26′ outer diameter and 23′ inner diameter with 4″ depth? Not a full 26′ disc.
    My math tells me 1 cubic yard of concrete would do it,, dramatically lowering the cost.

  30. Looking forward to your response Dan! This is exactly what my husband was thinking trying for our upcoming pool build. Thanks!

  31. I am looking to put up a 15×33 soft sided pool on a recently made paver patio. Is this a possibility? I am concerned the weight of the pool will cause the pavers to sink.

  32. I have a concrete “picture frame with concrete decks on 3 sides and 12″ x 18” tall solid concrete retaining wall,on the far “long” side. We’re going to a 14/15′ x 28/30′ (old 12 x 24) I was going to just concrete the center until I realized the same thing…buttress parts . Can I just leave a channel for the buttress plates and cover them with sand? We are putting padding/coving in also???

  33. Hi Dan,
    I am also considering putting a pool on an existing slab. What about bonding? Still necessary? If so, how would you go about that?

  34. We moved into a house that had an above ground pool that the previous owners let go in a bad way. After we tore everything apart we discovered the pool was on a cement slab. The slab has major cracks through the entire thing. Would you recommend pouring concrete over this to get it level, or rip it out and start fresh with either a new slab or sand?

  35. I have an existing pitched concrete slab was going to build a sandbox to level it off For intex pool 24×12
    Do I have to put something between the concrete and the sand like a tarp for keeping it from escaping
    Is there anything else I have to do or do I

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