An inflatable pool helps us stay cool during the summer days, but on the other, it can destroy the area in which it is placed. If a pool is left on the ground for an extended period, it can turn the underneath grass brown. One of the best ways to protect the lawn is to move the pool frequently to save the grass.
If that’s not possible for you, the area can be protected by placing something under inflatable pool, let’s find out what to put under inflatable pool on grass?
There are several ways of protecting the area underneath inflatable pool, like putting a barrier between the pool and the lawn, keeping the pool off the lawn, removing and replacing sod, and trying to regrow grass between pool seasons, etc. In this article, we will discuss some easy methods by which we can protect the lawn under the inflatable pool.
what to put under inflatable pool on grass?
Here we will discuss some items we should put under an inflatable pool on the grass. Some items are:
1. Interlocking Foam Tiles
Interlocking foam tiles are one of the best and most user-friendly options to put under an inflatable pool. These tiles create a barrier between the pool and the grass, but they do not damage both.
For people with insufficient space in their house, interlocking mat tiles will be the best option because they take up minimal storage space. These interlocking foam tiles can be the best choice because they are budget-friendly and easy to fix.
- Pool Pads: Pool pads are sturdier than interlocking foam tiles. Pool pads are designed to protect the pool lines from stone, grass, and many more. Usually, thick woven fabric is used in these pads, which provides the pad with long durability.
- Tarpaulin: Tarpaulin is not as thick as the pool pads, but still, this is one of the best options to put under the inflatable pool. Tarpaulin is waterproof and weather and tear-resistant.
- Carpet Padding: Carpet Padding is another option to place under the inflatable pool. We should use several layers of this padding because it is not thick enough. It is found in every hardware store, and it is budget-friendly.
- Solid Foam Sheets: Solid foam sheets are one of the best options to put under the pool. These are of various thicknesses and are easy to fix.
How do I protect my lawn under my pool?
Here we will discuss some methods by which we can protect our lawn under the pool. Some methods are:
1. Try to move the pool around frequently
We should try to move the pool around frequently to protect the grass underneath the inflatable pool. The pool should be moved to a new place on the grass so that the previous location can get enough nutrients to stay fresh.
We must take care while draining the pool because high chlorine levels in the water can harm the grass. We should follow natural steps which will be safe for the lawn. This option is more appropriate for small and medium-sized pools. But in the case of large pools, it will take a lot of water during refill.
2. Avoid setting up on grass
To protect the lawn, we should place the pool on a porch, patio, or deck. We should rake out a layer of sand to place the pool and remove the grass entirely from that place. It is not possible to repair the grass every year. So, we should place synthetic grass, turf, and a layer of sand on which we can place the pool.
3. Try to repair the grass after the pool is taken down
If we can not pull the pool frequently or if we do not place anything on the lawn to place the pool, then it is necessary to repair the grass every year. There are two situations: the grass is dormant, or the grass is completely dead.
If the grass is covered for over two weeks, it is treated as dead. If the grass is dormant, then we should follow some steps:
- Give a sufficient amount of water.
- Pull the weeds.
- Mow the grass.
- Try to reduce foot traffic.
- Fertilize.
If the grass is dead, we have to till the soil and add grass seed first. Then we will follow the same steps as the dormant grass. Some steps are:
- Give a sufficient amount of water.
- Pull the weeds.
- Mow the grass.
- Try to reduce foot traffic.
- Fertilize with compost, organic matter, and lawn food.
4. Try to put a barrier between the pool and the grass
We should put some barriers like a large tarp, pool floor liner pad, ground cloths, and many more. These products provide small air pockets under the pool so the grass can survive for a short period.
Though we use these products under the pool to save the grass, these products can not protect the grass completely. Moving the pool around the lawn is the best option to protect the grass.
How do you repair grass after removing the inflatable pool?
The grass underneath the pool becomes either dormant or dies completely. If the grass is covered for over two weeks, it will be treated as dead.
But it is hard to understand the difference between dormant and dead grass. Here we will discuss some steps to repair the dead and dormant grass.
Dormant Grass
If the grass is covered for less than two weeks, we will follow some steps to repair the dormant grass. Some steps are:
- Give a sufficient amount of water: Giving a sufficient amount of water is the best option to repair the dormant grass. Lack of water and oxygen makes the grass dormant. We must give water until the soil is wet and at least a few inches deep.
- Try to pull weeds: We must pull the weeds because it is an important step. We have to remove weeds and water the area thoroughly. We should remove the weed because weeds inhibit the grass from growing, and of these weeds, the grass can not get enough nutrients.
- Mow the grass: Mowing is one more process to protect the grass. But we should refrain from frequently mowing because it can hurt growth. We should generally mow our lawn.
- Try to reduce foot traffic: While coming out from the dormant stage, the grass needs more love and affection. We should reduce foot traffic as much as we can.
- Fertilize: We should not use any market-bought nutrients because if we use nutrients, the blades will repair quicker than the roots, which can cause problems. We should leave the lawn to fertilize the grass naturally.
Dead Grass
To repair dead grass, first, we have to till the soil and add grass seeds. Next, we have to follow the same steps as the dormant grass.
- Give sufficient water: We have to give sufficient amounts of water in order to repair the dead grass and grow new seeds.
- Try to remove weeds: We have to remove weeds because weeds will inhibit the growth of the grass, and for these weeds, grass will not get enough nutrients. So, it is essential to remove weeds to repair the grass.
- Mow the grass: Mowing is essential because mowing will help the grass to grow back.
- Reduce foot traffic: While the grass is being repaired, it needs care and affection. We must reduce foot traffic to repair the grass as much as possible.
- Apply fertilizers: While repairing the dormant grass, store-bought fertilizers are not needed, but in case of dead grass, we should use store-bought fertilizers, compost, and lawn food to grow new seeds.
Will inflatable pools kill grass?
Yes, an inflatable pool can kill grass if the pool is left for more than two weeks. An inflatable pool blocks the sunlight, so the grass under the pool does not get enough sunlight and oxygen. If the pool is left for more than one or two days, the grass will suffocate and become dormant, turning brown in color.
frequently asked questions (fAQs)
Do kiddie pools ruin grass?
Yes, kiddie pools can ruin the grass. These pools block sunlight, so the grass under the pool does not get enough light and oxygen, and it becomes dormant.
Can you put an above-ground pool directly on the grass?
We should not place an above-ground pool directly on grass because the pool can kill the grass.
Is it best to put a tarp under a pool?
We can put a tarp under a pool, but there are far better options, like foam tiles or commercial pool pads.
How long can you leave an inflatable pool on grass?
If we put the inflatable pool on the grass for more than 24 hours, the grass will become dormant. And if the pool is kept for more than two weeks, the grass will die completely. So, we have to pull the pool around the yard every 1 or 2 days.
Can you put an Intex above-ground pool on the grass?
We should not put an Intex above-ground pool on grass because it can kill the grass. We should use foam tiles, pool pads, and many more to protect the grass.
How long does it take grass to grow back after the pool?
The grass will take 2-3 weeks to grow after the pool.
Conclusion:
During summertime, we can spend quality time in the inflatable pools, keeping us cool. But these pools can kill the grass underneath the pool. If the pool is left for more than 24 hours, the grass will become dormant, and if the pool is kept for more than two weeks, then the grass will die completely. So, we should move the pool frequently. We can repair the dormant grass and grow new seeds in several ways. I hope now you have a clear idea about what to put under inflatable pool on grass.