Ok. So I've read so many threads and post it's to the point they all run together. I have a few questions to clarify what I think I know. I think. As stated in another post I've bought a 15' x 30' Esther Williams AGP . I'm starting dirt work this Thursday. (weather providing) I have an dirt guy coming to level my area out. There was a pool in this area by a previous owner and I don't know how deep the leftover sand base is but judging by my test digging it's approx 2" in spots. This is approx how much out of level my area is end to end. So what I'm saying is I expect we'll have to remove 2"-4" of soil (material) to get to undisturbed earth. So with my luck 6" right? LOL. Once I have a quasi level dirt area I now add screenings. I say quasi because in my experience even with an experienced skid steer operator the ground will not be perfectly correctly level. Pretty close but not pool ready yet. So I will put down screenings from the quarry. I will pack the screenings with a plate compactor until they are packed. ( I've done this for the floor of my garage addition approx 10-12 years ago.)
- First question: How deep should my screenings be? Does it matter? Will 2" be about right? I'm not trying to bring it up level with anything. Just wanting a good base.
- Second question: Should I use a skim layer of sand on top of the screenings to get my perfectly even surface before I lay my side rails down? I don't remember how smooth my surface came out when I did this before. Once I get my side rails down and the straps which tie the sides together up the pool will have a layer of sand smoothed out before I place the pink foam down. This would tell me the skim layer of sand is not needed as long as the rails are on the screenings evenly without gaps (if I did a good job packing evenly) and level.
- Third question: Do I pack the screenings and then dig out an area for the 2" blocks, place them and put screenings around them and pack it all down again? Can I use screenings under my blocks to help level them or do I need to get the paver sand instead? I know I'll have to dig deeper to fit the 4" blocks in.
- Forth question: Do I still need to get masons sand or will fill sand be good? The masons sand will have to come from quite a ways away and the fill sand is much closer. Delivery costs reflect that aspect. I'll get whatever I need to make it right but by the same token it's not a "cost is not an object " deal either. Plus I can haul the fill sand. On my schedule when I need it. (of course when I'm out chasing sand I'm not busy assembling either...) I've been told by a friend who had a pool that the masons sand packs ( I know it doesn't really compact) tighter. Ideas?