Probably A Dumb Question About Sand

[crokett]

Called around to get sand for the pool base plus some extra for the kids to play in. Where I am gonna get it has red sand for general concrete, etc and white masons sand. The guy I talked to says he doesn't recommend the red as play sand cause it can stain clothes. He doesn't recommend the white for pools cause it is sharper and can cut pool liners. I need about 5 yards total. The more I buy the cheaper it is, plus if I get 2 different kinds that is 2 trucks and 2x delivery. So... I've never heard of sand cutting pool liners, besides which I would have a tarp under it anyway. Anybody heard of this before?

[jking]

What in the world is in this "red sand"? I guess where I live, regular sand is plentiful & isn't known to stain clothes. I know the minerals in sand, gravel, etc. can vary from one area to another. Is it possible to go & look at the red sand?

I'm inclined to think they're trying to break up your order to make more money.

[crokett]

It isn't actually red, more orange but AFIK that is about what you get around here for general-use type. I grew up in NY, all the sand up there was grey. Here, even in the big box stores the bagged stuff is orangish. I guess it is the rocks or whatever they make it from. My kids have played enough in the sand at the old pool location that I don't think it will actually stain, but since I made the mistake of repeating the staining part to my wife, now she is worried. I'm just curious about sand cutting a pool liner, something I've never heard of. I did think about them just trying to make more $$$.

[BigguyZ]

I may be wrong, but I think mason's sand is pretty fine, and is an inhalation hazard. I don't think you want the kids playing in that. I'd reccomend proper Play sand for the kids, and the red sand for the pool.

[cabinetman]

Here is an interesting tidbit about play sand.
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[Mr__Bill]

can't you just go down to the shore and shovel some sand in a pail? we have a choice of black sand, brown sand and even sand with some gold in it. we perhaps can't legally do it here but it doubt that few sandboxes contain anything else.

sand for masonry has to have sharp edges for the cement to stick it together into mortar and concrete. this is why beach sand is not used. those sharp points can also poke a hole in the vinyl bottom of a pool after some time.

good catch by c-man on what is in the sand you buy bagged

bill
it wasn't a very capital day today...

[Uncle Cracker]

Just got some play sand for our pool base at Lowes. It's white, and comes in 50-lb. bags. My back is still MIA.

[jking]

It isn't actually red, more orange but AFIK that is about what you get around here for general-use type. I grew up in NY, all the sand up there was grey. Here, even in the big box stores the bagged stuff is orangish. I guess it is the rocks or whatever they make it from. My kids have played enough in the sand at the old pool location that I don't think it will actually stain, but since I made the mistake of repeating the staining part to my wife, now she is worried. I'm just curious about sand cutting a pool liner, something I've never heard of. I did think about them just trying to make more $$$.

Is your wife similarly concerned about the staining aspects of mud?

If it's the same type of sand as the old pool location, I'd order the red sand & forget about it. IIRC, mason sand is very fine grained. Besides the potential inhallation hazard Cabman mentioned, your kids will track that stuff in the house. If you're not careful, it can get everywhere & scratch floors up over time.

[twistsol]

My only experience with different types of sand was last summer when a woman from the county scooped up a handful from a hole in my yard. She said it was fine sand rather than regular sand so my new septic drain field got 30% bigger and $1000 more expensive.