Our new AGP installed in a tight space with pics

We’ll after many years of dreaming of a AGP, this summer my family and I decided to take the plunge and do it ourselves. The area selected was a bit tight for a 12x24 AGP but we wanted it to be next to our existing deck. The project started off by us ripping out some sod that we had in our back yard. We made sure to dig deep enough to remove the sod and its roots and let it die off in the hot summer for a couple of weeks.

To make things level, we had to dig out some soft rock/hard clay (which is soft in the winter but hard in the summer). Since the clay is known to be soft in the winter and corrosive to metal, I decided to put down a few inches of level, compacted decomposed rock (decomposed granite - DG). In my area, it is readily available and compacts pretty nicely though crushings are preferred as indicated on this website. Since I was adding DG, I wanted to make sure to lock it in, so I put flexible bender board and keystone blocks around the perimeter. This would help ensure that the DG wouldn’t move after it was placed (like rounded, clean sand).

Now, I know it is highly recommended to cut and never fill but I had some restrictions that prevented me from going down too much and the clay being corrosive and potentially variably soft that led me to the decision to add and even layer of compacted fill. Now I know its a risk but I paid particular detail to how the fill was placed and made sure it was rock-hard before moving forward with pool construction.

Here’s a pic of the area before construction:
https://picasaweb.google.com/geohec/...91559892156146

Here’s me trying to level up some of the hard clay
https://picasaweb.google.com/geohec/...91618155965122

Here’s a pic of the DG fill being placed inside the keystone blocks and bender board.
https://picasaweb.google.com/geohec/...91672594685986

From here I placed the side buttress supports on patio blocks as recommended by the manufacturer
https://picasaweb.google.com/geohec/...91815469470290

With help of a couple of friends I decided to build the pool in two days. Day one: Roll out pool wall, assemble side supports and top rails then level out additional sifted earth for pool base. I knew the buttress supports were solid and could hold the pool wall overnight without having a liner or water in it. I just made sure there was low wind and it was fine. Day two: add perfect pool bottom (for protection against potential burrowing critters), 1/8” pad, pre-fabricated coving, pool liner and add water.
https://picasaweb.google.com/geohec/...91840878023810
https://picasaweb.google.com/geohec/...91865315254514
https://picasaweb.google.com/geohec/...91908181446162

Wait where my kid?
https://picasaweb.google.com/geohec/...92026048579810
https://picasaweb.google.com/geohec/...92098166231074

Here’s the final product with addition of small cantilever to existing deck.
https://picasaweb.google.com/geohec/...92143367763170
https://picasaweb.google.com/geohec/...92256863474866

We’ve had the pool going for a few weeks and everyone loves it. But now the pressure is on me again to finish up the deck around the pool. Luckily, I took a few weeks off to enjoy the pool, but I have to find a few weekends to do the deck. Now I know my construction was a bit unusual and by no means typical but I thought I’d share as a method that worked for my tight area and restrictions.

I'm a long time cruzer on this forum but recent new member to this forum. Thanks to all the people on this forum who post valuable information for newbie's like me that make a project like this do-able. Thanks again!

The pool looks great! Enjoy!

Nice job thanks for sharing!

Thanks.

I'll be working on the deck the next couple weeks or so. I'll update with some pics when done.