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Pool ground cloth or tarp, which do you prefer, and how do you use them. Well, pool ground cloth is mainly designed to be used beneath a leveled pool, while a tarp is to cover on top of your pool. However, you must have seen on many occasions where tarps are being used beneath the pool, and this makes you wonder if it’s right to do so.
Unquestionably, this has caused so much confusion to most pool owners whether tarps are to be used beneath a pool or above. And if they are, is it more suitable when compared to a ground cloth? Meanwhile, let’s explore these two products a little bit to spice things up before we begin.
A pool ground cloth is made of durable materials. They are designed to be placed beneath your pool for extra protection. It’s suitable for different pool sizes. Tarps, on the other hand, are tarpaulin material made of canvas, polyesters, or polyethylene. They are durable, designed to resist climate conditions, water, and fire.
So, with all this, do you think tarps can be used beneath a pool? And do you think they are better than ground cloth?
Stay with us as we explore more on this.
Can I Use Tarp Under My Above Ground Pool?
Well, it is safe to say tarp gives you multifunctional use because you can use it both under the pool and on top of the pool. It is okay to use a tarp under your pool, but it must come under a cove such as sand or form.
Using a tarp alone will cause your pool’s base to be lumpy, making it uneven and hard to clean, but adding a 1-2 inches layer of sand or foam after the tarp makes it comfortable to use.
Even though you are putting your pool on a hard surface, you would still need a tarp to keep away grass from growing and puncturing your pool liner. But it doesn’t stop there. You also need to fill the tap with a cove such as sand to smooth the surface.
Ground Cloth for Swimming Pools
Ground clothing for pool base is another excellent product for swimming pools. However, most pool owners never opt to use that because of its limitations which don’t fit well in some areas. This is why people have opted to use sand as the best choice for their pool.
As a matter of fact, the ground cloth is always included in many pool sets you purchase today. Even when most manufacturers describe it as an extra layer of protection, the ground cloth that comes with most products is seen to be substandard to most pool owners as it provides little to no protection to your pool liners.
Meanwhile, suppose you dig deeper into the market, you would get other third-party vendors that provide a thicker ground cloth that offers more protection to your liner.
Whether you choose to use a ground cloth or tarp swimming pool, they offer the same function to protect your pool liner.
Can Tarp Act as Pool Cover?
Tarps are excellent material for your pool cover. The advantage they stand over ground cloth is that they can be used both underneath an above ground pool and as a pool cover.
Tarp covers made from polyethylene are nice to act as pool cover because of the ability to withstand tough weather conditions, such as ice and snow. They are also perfect for protecting your pool from sunlight and algae growth.
You can find them in various sizes and shapes to fit your needs. The round tarps are suitable for round pools.
What Can I Use Instead of Tarp?
Sand has been the most common base for pools. However, if you choose not to use a tarp, you could opt to use a thin layer of sand and top it up with a carpet foam or carpet felt. Other insulation, such as vermiculite, makes a perfect addition to your base. It is nice, soft, inexpensive, and can be used to top up your sand base.
Conclusion
You have lots of options for your above ground pool base. When you are using a tarp, remember to first put the tarp beneath before adding some sand layers. This makes an excellent choice by most pool owners in a situation when they choose to go for a pool tarp.
As mentioned, many people do not bother using pool ground cloth as most ground cloth can easily be penetrated by weed and destroy your liner. Unlike other materials that suppress weeds from growing, some weeds can easily grow through the ground cloth and damage your liner.