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I'm currently digging out and levelling the area for my pool. The back yard has a slight grade away from the house such that the high side is about 12" - 14" higher than the low side (which is at grade). I'm leaving a 2' walkway around the pool. When I build the retaining wall, do I need to install a drain behind it or can I leave that step out in this case? Thinking that, since it's such a low wall and it's only going halfway around the pool, is it really necessary?
Drain behind a retaining wall is to protect the wall from hydrostatic pressure pushing it over. I don't really know if you can get by without draining such a low wall. I'd consider draining the space between the pool and the retaining wall to keep water trapped in there from finding it's way out under the pool - washing away the sand bed.
So, more pondering subsequent to my retaining wall question. Since the height in only about 14" at the max, so I even need a retaining wall or can I safely backfill that area and call it a day? I know I need those plastic fence thingies but I can find those cheaper on kijiji than the retaining wall blocks. Next year, we're going to be building a surround deck, hiding the wall anyway, at which point the pool fence will come off and be relisted on kijiji. Just don't want to create a potentially hazardous situation by backfilling but with the low height, I'm wondering if it will be safe?
Babzog --- I merged the second thread you created about your retaining wall issues with this original one. It makes it easier to help if all the information about a particular problem is all kept within one thread.
Scratch my last post... called the pool company today and they said no backfill on the pool.
Not even on the bottom plates and rail - all must be exposed otherwise the warranty would be void. Well, if there were a warranty on it, it would be void. Since it's a used pool and has been moved, much of the original warranty is moot. Still, I want to construct this thing properly, so I'm thinking of sticking with the wall, though I'm still on the fence.
If I went with backfilling, am I okay to do so in a heavy frost area or is this one of the reasons why I shouldn't? The lady at the pool co. said that the backfill would prevent the pool from moving properly during a frost heave. Anyone here have experience with a backfilled pool in a frost area?
If I went with the wall, how then, would I construct the drain in the space (2') between the retaining wall and pool wall? If I dig down too close to the pool wall, would I compromise the soil's strength, leading to a potential collapse?
Anyone have pics of such a drain?