Was wondering what way to go. After the backfill is removed when it is time to replace should gravel be used or the overburden dirt. People have said gravel but every pool so far I looked at was just filled back in with dirt. What are the pros and cons other than cost?
Back-filling against pool walls.
- Thread starter mac1775
- Start date
Not sure where you are located. Location will affect dirt composition some from geographic area to area. Here in Missouri we have alto of red clay and gray clay, if we use it to backfill with it will continually settle as we cannot compact it enough around a pool wall. For that reason we usually use 1" clean limestone gravel which is easily obtained in my area. We don't run any kind of compactor over it as we do this before putting water in the shell.
Our soil in NC is similar to swimcmp's in MO. It cannot be compacted well against a normal pool wall.
Backfill with the rock he suggests, no compacting necessary, and you will be ready to pour your decking.
Your soil may be better but I don't think their is ANY soil that will work as well as the rock he suggests.
Backfill with the rock he suggests, no compacting necessary, and you will be ready to pour your decking.
Your soil may be better but I don't think their is ANY soil that will work as well as the rock he suggests.
Should have added this would be back fill for a vinyl pool with steel walls. Thanks for the replies.
If you decide to use the dirt (like I did)--don't get rid of your dug out dirt pile! I guarantee you'll backfill it at least twice more.
Well gravel was planned and a lot of it will be coming in. Wanted good drainage since the build is a partial slope. We will use up the backfill dirt to level up some and will still need more.
Mac put a drain against the wall and take it to daylight. This will let any water that collects in the gravel. It will prevent the liner from floating.
swimcmp, there will be a landscape filtration pipe encircling the entire pool then out to the low end slope to daylight. This is what you mean correct?
Yes that will work. We usually use 4" sch35 sewer pipe, we have seen less crush and collapse problems with that. The 4" black ads drain tile has a tendency to collapse over time.