backfill around pool?

[kjmelak]

I had a 15'x24' AG pool installed on Friday. Question is, should I backfill some dirt or sand around the pool, or can I use stone?

[posguy]

I dont think you should use sand, especially on a slope. I used all the leftover sand and covered it with stones and the sand has washed away. I am now in the process of doing a repair to fix this problem.

Anthony

[prh129]

My installer suggested I backfill to a level of 2-3" above the bottom track with dirt sloping away from the pool. I am then putting landscape fabric down and stone on top of that. I am also using edging to separate where the stone will meet the grass.

Peter

[hrsdennis]

That's exactly what I tell my customers to do Peter. It's good advice.

Later, Dennis

[kjmelak]

Thanks for the advice, I think I will do just that. Can I use the dirt that was stripped away to level the pool?

[sevver]

yes, if you are going to cover it, I like to break it up and remove the grass and roots out of it. I am pretty particular though, not many people do that, but if I don't want grass to be in the dirt area, I remove it.

[les_smith]

I filled in around our pool with all of the left over dirt/clay. All that I could use that is, we had way more left over than we could use. Then I measured out from the pool wall about 3 feet and ran metal edging around the pool covered the dirt with newspaper (for weed control) and then put mulch over that. We have since landscaped around the pool and it has worked well for us.

[vinnygnj]

My installers told me not to fill in the dirt. They explained that the acid from the dirt will eat away the pool wall and rot it out prematurely. I have a slope where the pool is installed due to the amount of dirt that had to be removed.

Also, check the BOCA code. An above ground pool's wall is the barrier that stops people from falling in and it must be (or at least used to be at least 48" high) - this is one of the reasons why I chose a round pool. An oval pool with butresses would require a fence on the pool itself. My township was extremely nuts about the BOCA code.

[gonefishin]

Our installer had told us NOT to use sand, but to use the blackdirt removed for the pool.


dan