Have to fill my pool in, what do I use

[timmie]

Hi Everyone, I am not sure if this is where I post this, please redirect me if need be.
I dont have a choice now, I have to fill in my pool. It doesnt get used and it is just so much work for me to maintain and not use it. I have heard many versions of what I should do. Here are some of them. I am not sure if there are links to other options etc, like making a garden, ( step down)
1. Use alot of sand on the bottom, use clean fill then top soil??
2. use as much concrete from around the pool
3. Use fill and then put alot of topsoil on top, like about 6 inches. My pool is 17x36.
I can get alot of sand as St Andrews near I live had a flood and people have so many sandbags. I figure that would save me about 1000 dollars. I have had estimates from 1500 dollars to just using concrete and clean fill, I would have to buy the topsoil, but how much do you put on top. The top estimate was 10, 500.00!!!!
Can anyone help me???
Timmie

[Poconos]

Timmie,
I moved the thread here so it should get better exposure. Maybe this forum should be called Pool Construction, Repair, and Demolition.
Sorry to hear it has to go. Not my area but someone will be along with suggestions.
Al

[timmie]

Hi, I am able to get free fill, and someone will put it in my pool for 1500, is this enough to fill the pool, or do I need sand etc. I am doing my driveway so they will put the concrete in also. How long do I have to wait to put top soil on and do I need to compact everything down??? The man who is doing this doesnt know, he will just put the fill in for me

[waste]

Timmie, sorry it's time to permanently close the pool

You will want to 'poke holes' in the bottom of the pool before adding the fill material. You don't want the pool to float up once it's filled in! Let any water that enters where the pool was or any water that might try to collect under it be able to find its equilibrium level.

Not that I know a lot about this, but if it were me, I'd put the concrete from the deck into the pool, then fill with sand or unscreened fill and have ~ 4" of top soil. Of course, you'd want to tamp or wait for the base material to settle before adding the top soil.

As you'll need to buy the top soil, decide what you want to grow there and talk to someone who 'knows this' to see how little you can get away with (I believe that grass only needs 2" )

[timmie]

Hi!!
I have someone who said that they would put clean fill into the pool and then just let it settle??? Do I need to have it leveled out, or will it do it on its own?? How do you make the holes in the bottom of the pool, as I will have to do this myself?? I will put the concrete from my front driveway into the pool. I am keeping the deck around the pool

[waste]

The holes in the bottom can be made with a jack hammer or a hammer-drill (with a 3/4 - 1" drill bit) - if you have a plastic main drain you can just pound out the bottom with a sledge hammer and have a few more axillary holes, here and there.

Screened fill is fine (I just figured that unscreened would be less expensive) and you would want to 'roughly level' it and then let it settle before adding whatever amount of top soil you want.

[timmie]

Hi, the person who is doing my driveway said he would do my pool for 1500.00. He has alot of clean fill and is only charging me to drop it off. Do you know how long it would take to settle? I do not think I am getting it leveled off. I am very upset that I have to fill the pool in. Do you know of a link that I can go to for ideas on what to do once the pool is filled? when I google " have to fill my pool" it only leaves options for filling it with water.
Timmie

[waste]

Sorry that I keep saying "wait for it to settle" and not telling you the 'rule of thumb' I've always followed 6 weeks should be enough time for the fill to settle - if it doesn't rain much during that time, it's a good idea to use a lawn sprinkler or weep hose for an hour every few days to help the settling - periodically soaking the fill material helps it settle.

Sorry that I have no ideas on what to do with the pool area after it's filled in