Which is better in the long run concrete or vermiculite as a pool bottom in Ohio?

Answer 1

I understand vermiculite is more forgiving for the shifting of a pool. I am sure the ground in Ohio varies alot on region re the amount of shifting - I'm not sure where you can check but perhaps the provincial or city engineers would be able to give you an idea for your exact area. Thanks, The Windsor-Browns

Being in the business for over 25 years and having installed thousands of pools in Ohio, it would depend on if your pool is an above ground pool or in-ground pool. An in-ground pool vermiculite is the only substance that takes ground movement and if it does crack there are NO sharp edges to interfere with the performance of the liner or do it any kind of damage. I have literally scratched it with just my fingernail after it has been laid for even 20 years. Vermiculite is definitely the way to go versus concrete and concrete contains aggravate (rocks) and should even a small pebble end up on the surface then it feels like a boulder under the liner. I guarantee two things about concrete - it will get hard and it will crack. The crack may be somewhat sharp.

An above ground pool installed with a black vinyl roll of a product called "hard bottom" and rolled about a foot beyond the wall bottom track is a guarantee that no nutgrass grows up under the liner and yes THROUGH a completely filled pool liner. The second alternative should no hard bottom is available is a product that is sprinkled down in the site before installation and about 2 ft beyond the location of the pool. If I am not mistakend it is called Dychlobenol by its chemical name. It is the ONLY substance safe for use with liner as ANY petroleum product may harm the liner. ie; grass killers and insecticides, such as roundup. A foam pad that has been used now for over a decade is the way to go as a liner base, 1/8" inch thick is available and the seams may be overlapped about 3 inches and installed after the wall is rolled out, cut with the radius of the pool. Another thickness of pad is available and is about a 1/2" thick, called "happy bottom" and its name is guarantee of its performance but the seams must be butted together and taped with Duct Tape instead. A foam cove is usually used in conjunction and has a self adhesive tape stip on the back that is stuck to the wall around the perimeter on the inside of the pool wall. Sand is no longer a good liner base and is not stable and the three part process mentioned above TOTALLY eliminates a disasterous "blow out" of the pool and washing away enough sand to allow all the water to come out from under the pool. Hope this helps.