Above ground on concrete slab

[Tattooed Nurse]

I have a mind twister I cannot figure out. Hopefully someone here has done this and has a solution. We purchased an oval pool to be set on a concrete foundation. Did not realize until we got the pool that it has 3 1/4" tall buttress that are suppose to be buried into the dirt then sand placed on top before putting the liner in. Is this even going to be doable on a concrete slab?

 

[Newdude]

Is this even going to be doable on a concrete slab?

They're pitched for drainage and are usually too unlevel for a pool. Might want to check into that too.

Hang tight for thoughts about the butresses.

 

[PoolStored]

What is the brand and model of the pool...?

 

[Tattooed Nurse]

They're pitched for drainage and are usually too unlevel for a pool. Might want to check into that too.

Hang tight for thoughts about the butresses.

We just had it poured level for the pool specifically.

 

[Tattooed Nurse]

What is the brand and model of the pool...?

Trevi 228 model 12x24x56

 

[phonedave]

I have a mind twister I cannot figure out. Hopefully someone here has done this and has a solution. We purchased an oval pool to be set on a concrete foundation. Did not realize until we got the pool that it has 3 1/4" tall buttress that are suppose to be buried into the dirt then sand placed on top before putting the liner in. Is this even going to be doable on a concrete slab?

I'm not sure what you are talking about when you say 3 1/4" tall buttresses that have to be buried.

Are you talking about a buttress free pool, and referring to the straps that need to run underneath it?

 

[Tattooed Nurse]

I'm not sure what you are talking about when you say 3 1/4" tall buttresses that have to be buried.

Are you talking about a buttress free pool, and referring to the straps that need to run underneath it?

Yes, maybe I should rephrase that. The buttresses will go on the ground on the inside. They are 3 1/4" thick, not tall. I'm sorry.

 

[Tattooed Nurse]

Yes, maybe I should rephrase that. The buttresses will go on the ground on the inside. They are 3 1/4" thick, not tall. I'm sorry.

Here is a diagram of that helps to visualize what I am referring to

 

[phonedave]

OK, the way I see it is you have two choices.

1) Do not use the straps at all. In that case you will have to fasten your sides to the concrete. I have NO IDEA what would be adequate for this. It is a lateral load. I have no idea what PSI your concrete is rated at, or what sort of loading the bottom of your pool wall is going to have. The gut feeling I have is that you *might* be able to do it with a bunch of Red Heads and it would work. I myself would not do it based on gut, but I would do the math (or have somebody else do the math)

2) Bite the bullet and rent a gas concrete saw, and cut the necessary channels in your concrete. I would also not backfill the channels with concrete after you put your straps into them. I would use sand. or maybe flowable fill. My concern is the reaction between the alkaline concrete and the metal straps. Flowable fill is basically weak concrete. Embedding the straps is going to lead to corrosion, which leads to failure, which leads to unplanned roaring rapids in your backyard.

Thinking about it, if I had to do this, I would cut the trenches, put my straps together, but before installing them, coat them with a rubberized or asphalt based coating. Place my straps, and then backfill with flowable fill. Flowable fill is a weak, wet, mix. About 1:10 cement to sand with water to make it very flowable. The reason you want to use flowable fill is twofold. One is that it flows, and does not need compaction. Two is that if necessary it can easily be chipped out (if you have to replace the straps)

 

[Pv2]

how far/deep are things supposed to be buried in dirt before covering with sand?

I cant tell from instruction image, but if all that stuff is basically just sitting on level surface, you should be ok with a good sand layer over the top. I might also be inclined to tape or otherwise pad any metal crosspiece edges that would get anywhere near the liner (but that is kind of true whether on dirt or concrete).

 

[Tattooed Nurse]

OK, the way I see it is you have two choices.

1) Do not use the straps at all. In that case you will have to fasten your sides to the concrete. I have NO IDEA what would be adequate for this. It is a lateral load. I have no idea what PSI your concrete is rated at, or what sort of loading the bottom of your pool wall is going to have. The gut feeling I have is that you *might* be able to do it with a bunch of Red Heads and it would work. I myself would not do it based on gut, but I would do the math (or have somebody else do the math)

2) Bite the bullet and rent a gas concrete saw, and cut the necessary channels in your concrete. I would also not backfill the channels with concrete after you put your straps into them. I would use sand. or maybe flowable fill. My concern is the reaction between the alkaline concrete and the metal straps. Flowable fill is basically weak concrete. Embedding the straps is going to lead to corrosion, which leads to failure, which leads to unplanned roaring rapids in your backyard.

Thinking about it, if I had to do this, I would cut the trenches, put my straps together, but before installing them, coat them with a rubberized or asphalt based coating. Place my straps, and then backfill with flowable fill. Flowable fill is a weak, wet, mix. About 1:10 cement to sand with water to make it very flowable. The reason you want to use flowable fill is twofold. One is that it flows, and does not need compaction. Two is that if necessary it can easily be chipped out (if you have to replace the straps)

We have talked about cutting the concrete out. These are excellent choices! Thank you!!

 

[Tattooed Nurse]

how far/deep are things supposed to be buried in dirt before covering with sand?

I cant tell from instruction image, but if all that stuff is basically just sitting on level surface, you should be ok with a good sand layer over the top. I might also be inclined to tape or otherwise pad any metal crosspiece edges that would get anywhere near the liner (but that is kind of true whether on dirt or concrete).

I'm not sure. I am going to pick it up tomorrow and put it together to see what our next option will be.

 

[phonedave]

how far/deep are things supposed to be buried in dirt before covering with sand?

I cant tell from instruction image, but if all that stuff is basically just sitting on level surface, you should be ok with a good sand layer over the top. I might also be inclined to tape or otherwise pad any metal crosspiece edges that would get anywhere near the liner (but that is kind of true whether on dirt or concrete).

My concern with sand is that it is going to have a different feel (and look) than the concrete. If you fill it with sand, then you are going to have multiple distinct "stripes" in the liner bottom. If they are using a pad, then perhaps it is not such a big deal

 

[Pv2]

My concern with sand is that it is going to have a different feel (and look) than the concrete. If you fill it with sand, then you are going to have multiple distinct "stripes" in the liner bottom. If they are using a pad, then perhaps it is not such a big deal

OP mentioned the sand so I assumed it might be required. pad(s) seem fine to me as well if sand is just the usual default for above ground pool instructions. my experience is limited to round pools so I am not that familiar with the structures in the middle of oval pools.

back in my day, when we had to walk to school uphill both ways in the snow there were no pads or foam coving. sand is all we had and we were glad to have it too!

 

[Tattooed Nurse]

My concern with sand is that it is going to have a different feel (and look) than the concrete. If you fill it with sand, then you are going to have multiple distinct "stripes" in the liner bottom. If they are using a pad, then perhaps it is not such a big deal

We thought about filling with sand and then putting foam boards on top of the sand between the liner and sand. My fear with adding to much would be that it could cause our liner to not line up on the wall of the pool. Another words, have to much liner left and then can attach it if that makes sense.

 

[beeswax]

Hello,

We put in a similar pool to yours in 2015 on hard packed dirt. Our directions called for 3" or enough of a base of sand to cover the straps. You need the straps for a buttress free pool. We put a gorilla pad on top of the sand. We have never had a problem with the straps coming through the sand, pad or liner.

18'x33'x54

The engineering details of the Signature RTL pool make it one of our best sellers. It is one of the Best Above Ground Pools in our store. Giving you a stronger pool.

www.thepoolfactory.com

 

[Tattooed Nurse]

Hello,

We put in a similar pool to yours in 2015 on hard packed dirt. Our directions called for 3" or enough of a base of sand to cover the straps. You need the straps for a buttress free pool. We put a gorilla pad on top of the sand. We have never had a problem with the straps coming through the sand, pad or liner.

18'x33'x54

The engineering details of the Signature RTL pool make it one of our best sellers. It is one of the Best Above Ground Pools in our store. Giving you a stronger pool.

www.thepoolfactory.com

Very good to know!! Did you just put enough sand to cover the straps? This didn't affect where your liner ended up? I was wanting to try and put foam boards on top of the sand for some additional protection then the gorilla pad.

 

[beeswax]

Actually we used an Armor Shield pad instead of a Gorilla pad - I don't think any difference.
Yes, we put enough sand and maybe a bit more to cover all of the straps and plates.
Yes, it did give us more of the liner at the top of the pool wall.

 

[Tattooed Nurse]

Actually we used an Armor Shield pad instead of a Gorilla pad - I don't think any difference.
Yes, we put enough sand and maybe a bit more to cover all of the straps and plates.
Yes, it did give us more of the liner at the top of the pool wall.

How did you fix the extra liner? Just cut it off?

 

[beeswax]

Just rolled the extra under then put on the stabilizers.