trying to decide on an underlayment

[wren warren]

HAS ANYONE EVER USED MULCH AS AN UNDERLAYMENT?

 

[mrsclem]

Hi and welcome wren. I haven 't heard of anyone using mulch. I would think it would break down fast plus any pieces of wood in it could damage the liner. Old carpet or padding are good and usually free. I personally have used old blankets and quilts.

 

[Lisak1]

Mulch? I can't imagine this would be a good idea - breaks down quickly, attracts insects, could contain poky bits. Would not recommend it. Go with the tried and true.

 

[j.w]

@wren warren I wouldn't use it and agree w/the above comments.

 

[Mmathis]

Also, mulch won’t stay up on the sides of a pond — it’s going to shift and settle.

 

[wren warren]

ok well, actually I'm using it under the carpet and directly on the dirt as to lift the floor up a little and to kinda level it out more. The ground is rock hard. I'm a girl and it's really hard for me to dig plus tones of rock. But anyway I have put one layer of carpet over it. I just found this form. I'm sure I will be asking a lot of questions in the near future.

 

[Mmathis]

ok well, actually I'm using it under the carpet and directly on the dirt as to lift the floor up a little and to kinda level it out more. The ground is rock hard. I'm a girl and it's really hard for me to dig plus tones of rock. But anyway I have put one layer of carpet over it. I just found this form. I'm sure I will be asking a lot of questions in the near future.

Ask away! We love to share and learn new things from our members.

I would say that if your main goal here is to raise the bottom and level it out, sand might be a better choice for your efforts. As others have said, compost (any organic material) is going to compact and, well, disappear over time. I did some major work about 4 years ago and put a ton of sand down before the underlayment and liner went in. Have not regretted it one bit — and I’m a girl [an older one, no less] who did all of my own “fine tuning.”

 

[wren warren]

I will do that for sure thank you very much.

 

[mgmine]

I used old carpet and then an old swimming pool liner that I got for free off Craigslist then the rubber liner.

 

[Lisak1]

ok well, actually I'm using it under the carpet and directly on the dirt as to lift the floor up a little and to kinda level it out more.

Ah! Gotcha! Yup - sand is your better bet for that particular job. It will compact better, won't decay and is much easier to get a good smooth surface to lay your underlayment and then liner.

Lots of us are girls here - some of us younger than others haha! - so we understand the need to get creative with our heavy lifting type work!