Best pool base in very cold climate with clay soil

Erinjl

Member
Jun 8, 2021
14
Winnipeg MB
Hello! This is my first post here. I have been reading lots and doing many different searches, and I’m still not sure I know what is best for the base of our above ground pool. It is an 18x52 steel wall pool.
The “soil” in my city is clay. If it’s wet, it sticks to everything and stays in huge clumps. If it’s dry, it’s like concrete. It is extremely challenging to dig and level the area we are working on. We have a slope of approximately 5” from one side to the other, so have a fair bit of digging to do.
the other thing is that it can get down to -40 in winter here, and ground movement is very common. I have read some things saying that pavers are not a good idea - some that say they are a must!
My plan right now is to dig until as level as possible. Then lay 2” of quarter down (crushed limestone), and level then tamp it down. Then *possibly* set pavers level with the limestone. Then continue from there with putting up the wall and spreading 2” of sand inside, then our foam pad. Is there a better way to do this, or should this process work?
Thanks for any help!!
 
Welcome to TFP :)

You are all over it.. That will work the best..

Also keep the area wet around the pool in the summer when the clay dries out and it will move and crack less.. normal splash out is usually good enough :)
 
Welcome to TFP :)

You are all over it.. That will work the best..

Also keep the area wet around the pool in the summer when the clay dries out and it will move and crack less.. normal splash out is usually good enough :)
Thank you! Do you think (with possible winter ground movement) that the pavers are a good idea, or better to put the track and supports right on the packed limestone?
 
hmmmm, I am not sure on that one.. the pavers should not move as long as they are also on the limestone and they will be more supporting over a larger area when the area gets wet...
 
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