Back filling a semi inground pool?

[srk]

What is the proper material to use when back filling a semi inground pool? The pool will be about 26" deep. 16'x24' oval with a deck half way around. One installer wants to use all sand with some river rock ontop to finish it, the other installer just wants to use the excavated dirt. The over dig around the pool will be about 24" wide x 26" deep. It is a clay/sand mixture.

Thanks
Ready to get this going

 

[swimcmp]

There isn't a must use material. Here where I build I use either 1" clean limestone or 3/8" limestone. That is my personal preference as I see less deck issues. Some builders use dirt, that makes them money since they aren't buying backfill material.

 

[maieranne]

Ours is back filled about half way around the pool, no more than 24" deep. We just used the dirt from excavating. Ours was a DIY though....

 

[laceygirl]

Hi there Do not use sand... Sand acts like a fluid when wet and can shift, most of the partial inground pools just use the dirt from excavating...

 

[KrisIL]

My dirt from excavating was really hard to use. So we order a top soil which cots me $135 for 3 yards with delivery. It was very easy to work with.