Just finished putting up a 'starter' 15' x 4' AGP. Plan is to use it a couple years, if we like it and use it enough, then stick it on Craigslist or something and maybe recoup a little cost, and then upgrade. Didn't want to go 'all in' at once. With that said, won't be doing a deck on this pool, although I know how great it would be. Save that for the next pool.
You can see my build thread here:
15-x-4-above-ground-going-up-fun-fun-t36507.html
You can see where I wanted to pluck my eyeballs out with a spoon here:
putting-up-an-agp-sucks-i-m-about-to-drive-over-it-t36912.html
1. I want to put some crushed stone, or river rock, or something around the pool. Currently, my ground around the pool is about level with the bottom of the bottom ring. Before I put my rock/stone down, should I put down a couple inches of dirt first, and then the the stone over it? My thinking is that with water/rain, it would be more likely for this dirt to keep a solid base, instead of it potentially washing out from under the bottom support ring? Just not sure how to tackle this.
2. I had to dig approx 8-9" down on the 'high' side to get everything level. If I get too far out from the pool I will be nearing my septic drain field, so I don't really want to continue digging straight out in that direction; otherwise I would probably do a short 'retaining wall' type thing (which I shouldn't do over a septic drain field), with the stone/rock between that and the pool. I'm thinking my best bet bet is probably to just grade the ground towards the pool? The whole yard itself sort of slopes away from the pool in the other direction (slope towards the right in the pictures). The other option would be to backfill in those 8" or so, and then do the same stone thing as originally mentioned, I just would follow the slope of the ground.
Looking for some ideas here. Thanks!
You can see my build thread here:
15-x-4-above-ground-going-up-fun-fun-t36507.html
You can see where I wanted to pluck my eyeballs out with a spoon here:
putting-up-an-agp-sucks-i-m-about-to-drive-over-it-t36912.html
1. I want to put some crushed stone, or river rock, or something around the pool. Currently, my ground around the pool is about level with the bottom of the bottom ring. Before I put my rock/stone down, should I put down a couple inches of dirt first, and then the the stone over it? My thinking is that with water/rain, it would be more likely for this dirt to keep a solid base, instead of it potentially washing out from under the bottom support ring? Just not sure how to tackle this.
2. I had to dig approx 8-9" down on the 'high' side to get everything level. If I get too far out from the pool I will be nearing my septic drain field, so I don't really want to continue digging straight out in that direction; otherwise I would probably do a short 'retaining wall' type thing (which I shouldn't do over a septic drain field), with the stone/rock between that and the pool. I'm thinking my best bet bet is probably to just grade the ground towards the pool? The whole yard itself sort of slopes away from the pool in the other direction (slope towards the right in the pictures). The other option would be to backfill in those 8" or so, and then do the same stone thing as originally mentioned, I just would follow the slope of the ground.
Looking for some ideas here. Thanks!