Ground ready for install

[hoffmans]

Hi folks.

We got the clay as smooth, flat and level as we can. The crusher run saved the day. It is called Lime Stone Screenings here.
DH did pour a concrete ring around the entire perimiter of the pool for the bottom rail and base plates to sit on. It should not move w/ the temp. changes b/c it will be under the frost line.

We went from this :


To this:






We are getting ready for the bottom rail, plates & wall but have a question.

We had to dig down to get to level. The bottom rails, bottom plates and portions of the pool wall will be buried & exposed to the clay underground. Is there any preventative we can put on the bottom rails & plates to prevent rust? Should we be concerned about the walls being partially buried?

The manufacturer's instructions say "Do not backfill " --- Well... we have too!

Any suggestions?
Thank You,
~Hoffmans
link to the pool we bought: 33' round Artesian http://www.sunenterprises.com/ultima.htm

[matt4x4]

Too Funny! - For years, I've been calling the product "Screenings" because that's what it's called up here in the great white north, then, after coming here and getting nothing but ????? when I said screenings, it was translated to "Crusher run" - the typical american term for it, now, we're back to "screenings".
Anyways, "smaller than gravel" stuff really laid down well.
Is your whole pool getting burried by 3 feet all around - it does not look like it.... it looks like only 1/2 of the perimeter will be burried and unless it's about 3 feet of backfill, it'll be within reach of frost.
If that's the case, then your pool will be under some really weird stresses - half being "protected from" and the other half being "subjected to" frost......

All these pools will say "do not bury" because they are not designed to be ingrounds, however, I have seen many AG pools burried to some degree (after filling) and unless you empty it, it's usually ok - frost however, could be a problem....
You may want to consider something other than clay as your backfill to help with drainage around and away from the pool....


Would it be at all possible for you to hold the dirt back using a retaining wall of sorts, maybe 4 feet back from the pool? I've seen that done many times as an alternative to burrying.

Either way - burrying or backfilling, I would highly recommend a bit of drainage around the pool, some "Big-O" burried in a ditch around the perimeter with a drainage tail on the low end ending up in some sort of subterrainean gravel distribution bed or even surface draining on the low end.........

get back with some more details please on actual burrying specs...

[NWMNMom]

Someone else last year had some nice pictures of a retaining wall they built in just the same situation. I think it was a very high area on one side and a fair slope up the yard from there. Your clay/soil can be very corrosive and hold a lot of moisture so I would not backfill with that - even the pools that have instructions for backfilling include some very specific types of substrate materials that must be used or the warranty would be voided.

You should bank the pool some with something that allows very good drainage so that rain/water will not run under the rail and wash out any sand (your pool instructions will say how many inches to use), but thats only like several inches and usually like gravel or pea rock or something, not heavy or wet soil types that retain moisture - you want run off away from the pool.

[hrsdennis]

Hoffman's, looks great. What a big improvement. Just remember, perfectly level and perfectly round. The rest is easy.

As for the backfill, The warranty is only about issues with rust. You may want to coat the outside of the wall with something like roofing tar before you backfill. The wall will last a lifetime, or close to it.

Keep sending us the great photos, Dennis

[matt4x4]

NWMNMom - I think you're referring to Islander2C's wall.
Can't find the thread though.....

[hoffmans]

Maybe you were thinking of Glepage's pool and retaining wall?
Here is the pic in the Above Ground Gallery http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthr...?t=2294&page=5

We are still plugging away here.
Thanks for all your input folks!
I really like the tar idea.

Double checked the level last night w/ the laser level.
I think DH plans on getting the excavator guy out here to regrade that hill that is feeding the pool area & take care of the backfill.

Right now the deepest we had to dig down was 2' 3" on that west side.
I called the sales lady we bought the pool from. She said we could backfill up to 2' w/o voiding the warranty.
I thought of skirting the outside of the wall w/ black plastic- just duct tape it all around and let it drape down. My thinking was- it would keep the backfill off the bottom tracks to help keep rust at bay. Don't know if DH likes the idea or not.

~Hoffmans