Patio block question

[chazzilla]

My instructions called for them, but I am in Arkansas, and my install was not buttress free. I would just put them in for peace of mind if it was me. It is not that much more work, and I feel it wouldn't hurt. Hope this helps!

[NWMNMom]

I would really appreciate some input from someone who has a buttress free pool or has installed one IN AN AREA WHERE THERE IS FROST AND FREEZING WEATHER. We were completely freaked out when reading another post on this board where the poster indicated putting blocks under the uprights where there is frost will cause the wall to buckle when there are frost heaves. We NEED to know soon because install is only weeks away, we want to do it right. The local pool stores (closest one is 125 miles away) will not provide advice because we did not buy from them (they didn't have a buttress free model anyway) nor will they install this far away. We are on our own. PLEASE HELP!!! thank you.

[nicker]

We are in the same situation. Other then we have a round pool. I have read the the install instructions say to use them. How ever the dealer I bought our pool from said they DO NOT use them when they do installs. My neighbour also did not use them, third year on his pool no problems. London Ontario Canada. We get frost. I don't think I am going to use them either.

[NWMNMom]

Thank you. I appreciate the help. We bought all those patio blocks because the install instructions called for them, then read that they shouldn't be used in frost areas. I am going to return them.

[csevel]

Before you return them, I would ask an excavator or a contractor. Even though our pool has very wide base assembly...I feel much more confident setting the uprights on a footer-type foundation instead of directly into the mud precisely for the freeze/thaw effect. We get fairly harsh winters here in Ohio and it just seems like using patio blocks makes sense & would give much more stability to the installation.

[kevkline]

I live in Southeastern Michigan and my installer will not install without them.....I never asked for specifics, just asked if they were necessary and was told yes.

[huskerfan]

Definitely USE them! For sure on the long sides where the side uprights/buttress free are, and get the largest ones you can. Use the solid ones, not the ones with holes in them. There is a lot of pressure on those sides that a round pool doesn't have. Plus - it's much easier to level your pool using the patio blocks. If you have to fill under them, though, use stone dust/crushers/screenings, to have a solid base. Do not fill with dirt!

I'd recommend them under all uprights, for round pools too. If there's that much heaving that your pool wall buckles - it's not going to matter if there is a patio block there or not anyway. Only problem I can see with heaving is if you have a deck built above or below the top rail. My pool wintered great - use them for extra insurance!