DIY 27’ round semi inground

[ejbuffett]

Newbie here. First time posting, and first time pool owner. I am DIYing a 27’ round X 54” semi inground from the pool factory. Today was day 1 of excavation! The excitement hasn’t worn off enough for me to regret my purchase decision quite yet. We have sandy soil where we are in South Carolina, which makes excavation pretty simple (especially with our 5303 John Deere).

Any thoughts on protecting this hole from becoming a complete and total mess if it rains? Our forecast is promising but you never know when a summer evening downpour is going to pop up around here.

I have already spent so many hours on this site, absorbing as much info as I can, and I look forward to learning more along the way.

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome to TFP! Hopefully the rains will hold until you can get that area leveled and covered. If rains do approach, perhaps spread some simple tarps over it. The cheap kind like from Walmart.

 

[ejbuffett]

Welcome to TFP! Hopefully the rains will hold until you can get that area leveled and covered. If rains do approach, perhaps spread some simple tarps over it. The cheap kind like from Walmart.

Excavation is almost complete! The pool is being delivered Friday, and I have ordered the TF-Pro test kit. I have read through pool school, but still have so many questions.

1: I plan on filling with well water. What general chemicals should I have on hand for the initial start up, and what order should I apply those chemicals? The list I have made so far includes liquid chlorine/bleach, muriatic acid/PH reducer, Borax, Baking soda and Cyanuric acid/stabilizer. Is this a good starting point? Should I consider "metal out" since I am filling with well water?

2: For under the liner I am thinking I will do sand, XPS foam, and a liner pad (already ordered), in that order. Is this overkill?

3: What plumbing fittings should I have on hand other than what comes with the pump/filter?

4: This is a semi-inground that I am burying 27". I have read so much conflicting information about backfilling/drainage. Should I use the excavated dirt, rock, sand... should I put a French drain at the base of the pool etc...


There is so much information out there and I realize it is all dependent on each persons individual setup, but I am having a hard time filtering all of the information. I appreciate any input and am open to try any suggestions. I just want to get it right! Thanks!

 

[Texas Splash]

Refer to the article below to help with your first fill. Being from a well, you can expect iron which can be problmeatic. Pre-filter the water if you can. Have polyfill available should you see the color change or staining occur and place the poly in the skimmer. More to follow on iron later if it becomes an issue.

Your pool should come with all the necessary plumbing and fittings. If you have any questions at that point please let us know.

As for area water draining and aesthetics, each pool is different. Definitely try to prevent water from flowing under the pool during heavy rains. Padding underneath is always good.

Just Filled Your Pool with Water? Here's What To Do Next - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[ejbuffett]

Refer to the article below to help with your first fill. Being from a well, you can expect iron which can be problmeatic. Pre-filter the water if you can. Have polyfill available should you see the color change or staining occur and place the poly in the skimmer. More to follow on iron later if it becomes an issue.

Your pool should come with all the necessary plumbing and fittings. If you have any questions at that point please let us know.

As for area water draining and aesthetics, each pool is different. Definitely try to prevent water from flowing under the pool during heavy rains. Padding underneath is always good.

Just Filled Your Pool with Water? Here's What To Do Next - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Thanks for the info, link and prompt response! This group is awesome!

 

[phonedave]

Excavation is almost complete! The pool is being delivered Friday, and I have ordered the TF-Pro test kit. I have read through pool school, but still have so many questions.

1: I plan on filling with well water. What general chemicals should I have on hand for the initial start up, and what order should I apply those chemicals? The list I have made so far includes liquid chlorine/bleach, muriatic acid/PH reducer, Borax, Baking soda and Cyanuric acid/stabilizer. Is this a good starting point? Should I consider "metal out" since I am filling with well water?

2: For under the liner I am thinking I will do sand, XPS foam, and a liner pad (already ordered), in that order. Is this overkill?

3: What plumbing fittings should I have on hand other than what comes with the pump/filter?

4: This is a semi-inground that I am burying 27". I have read so much conflicting information about backfilling/drainage. Should I use the excavated dirt, rock, sand... should I put a French drain at the base of the pool etc...


There is so much information out there and I realize it is all dependent on each persons individual setup, but I am having a hard time filtering all of the information. I appreciate any input and am open to try any suggestions. I just want to get it right! Thanks!

1. Does your well water have metals? Less is more, to start with. You can always add things if you find you need them.

2. I think it is overkill, but to each their own. I have sand and a pad and it seems fine

3. For installation and startup, use the supplied hoses. Then once you have everything up and running and balances, and you have had time to recuperate, you can hard plumb the filter if you want (I recommend it)

4. If you can put in a french drain that you can daylight somewhere, that would be awesome. If that is not possible, then at the least you want a free draining material against the pool. If you can use your native soil depends on that soils composition. Is this pool rated/approved for a semi inground installation?

 

[ejbuffett]

1. Does your well water have metals? Less is more, to start with. You can always add things if you find you need them.

2. I think it is overkill, but to each their own. I have sand and a pad and it seems fine

3. For installation and startup, use the supplied hoses. Then once you have everything up and running and balances, and you have had time to recuperate, you can hard plumb the filter if you want (I recommend it)

4. If you can put in a french drain that you can daylight somewhere, that would be awesome. If that is not possible, then at the least you want a free draining material against the pool. If you can use your native soil depends on that soils composition. Is this pool rated/approved for a semi inground installation?

1. I am not certain, as I haven't had the well water tested yet. I do have a whole home sediment filter at the well that should help, and I may filter with poly-fil as I fill the pool.

2. Understood

3. Excellent suggestion

4. The native soil is mostly sand/sand clay. The pool is rated/approved for semi inground up to 27"

Thanks for your reply!

 

[phonedave]

1. I am not certain, as I haven't had the well water tested yet. I do have a whole home sediment filter at the well that should help, and I may filter with poly-fil as I fill the pool.

2. Understood

3. Excellent suggestion

4. The native soil is mostly sand/sand clay. The pool is rated/approved for semi inground up to 27"

Thanks for your reply!

1. If you want to filter the water and not have to replace your house sediment filter afterwards, look into a Slime Bag - Filler' Up Slime Bag™ – 9x30” Flow rates up to 20 GPM - The Slime Bag
They make adaptors so that instead of attaching them to the pool return, you can attached them to your garden hose. I put one on my return before I bump my filter. They work nicely.

4. I'm putting on my engineer hat here, but there is a difference between sandy clay and clayey sand. There is also a difference between silt and clay which many people mix up. However it does sound like the permeability and flow rate would be pretty low. Do you have a septic system. Is so, how did it perc?

 

[ejbuffett]

1. If you want to filter the water and not have to replace your house sediment filter afterwards, look into a Slime Bag - Filler' Up Slime Bag™ – 9x30” Flow rates up to 20 GPM - The Slime Bag
They make adaptors so that instead of attaching them to the pool return, you can attached them to your garden hose. I put one on my return before I bump my filter. They work nicely.

4. I'm putting on my engineer hat here, but there is a difference between sandy clay and clayey sand. There is also a difference between silt and clay which many people mix up. However it does sound like the permeability and flow rate would be pretty low. Do you have a septic system. Is so, how did it perc?

1. Thanks for the info. I had no clue this existed and I will definitely look into it!

2. The native soil is mostly sand with a little bit of clay. We do have a septic and it perc tested well.

 

[ejbuffett]

Day 7.... whew... these 98 degree days have definitely slowed the excavation/base prep process, but I have finally opened the boxes and laid the bottom rails. Next step is pavers, sand and WALLS! My TFPRO test kit arrived, and I must say, its a bit overwhelming opening that kit and not knowing what half of the stuff is lol. There will definitely be a learning curve there.

Thinking ahead, how well do these pump/filters hold up to the elements? Should I be looking at building some type of cover/pump house? Eventually there will be a deck surround, but I would like to maintain easy accessibility to the pump and filter.

 

[phonedave]

Day 7.... whew... these 98 degree days have definitely slowed the excavation/base prep process, but I have finally opened the boxes and laid the bottom rails. Next step is pavers, sand and WALLS! My TFPRO test kit arrived, and I must say, its a bit overwhelming opening that kit and not knowing what half of the stuff is lol. There will definitely be a learning curve there.

Thinking ahead, how well do these pump/filters hold up to the elements? Should I be looking at building some type of cover/pump house? Eventually there will be a deck surround, but I would like to maintain easy accessibility to the pump and filter.

Its looking good. Now that I can see your native soil, that looks like it should drain pretty well. I would still put a drain around the perimeter and then daylight it somewhere. Something like 3" slotted pipe, wrapped in a geotextile in the bottom, daylighted somewhere (looks like your property drains to the left, but it could be the camera angle) and backfilled with your native soils. If you decide to use perf pipe instead of slotted, the holes go up and DOWN. You may already know that but a lot of people seem to think they go on the sides for some reason.

As for the test kit, it really is not that daunting. The instructions are very clear. Performing the tests is pretty easy. Knowing what to do about them takes a little more knowledge (but that is why this forum exists)

I'm in NJ and I don't have any sort of cover for my equipment. I take mine inside (in a shed) in the winter just because it is easy to do so. At the end of the season I actually take my pump and filter apart, clean it, inspect it, lube it, etc. and then reassemble and store it. Some people just store it. Others just winterize it by making sure it is empty of water.

Some people, especially those with inground pools with large pads that they use year round, build some sort of cover. Usually as much for aesthetics as it is for protection.

I guess what I am saying is, no, your pump and filter do not need a cover, but if you want to build one, go right ahead. If you do so though, make sure you make it easy to access your filter and pump for what you need to do (change valves, attach backwash hoses, pull filters / clean DE grids / etc)

 

[ejbuffett]

Thanks!

Another issue I am having trouble finding a solution to, is a pool ladder. Obviously with it being a semi-inground, I need a ladder that is shorter on the outside of the pool than the inside. I can't seem to find much information on this. It is worth noting that the ladder will be temporary until we can get the deck built (likely next season). At this point I am considering a cheap A frame that I can modify by chopping off the legs on the outside of the pool to fit my needs until the deck is built. Anyone have any experience or thoughts on this?

 

[ejbuffett]

Exactly 2 weeks from the first shovel of dirt, we are filling with water! What a process... 14 straight days (evenings and weekends) of shoveling, raking, leveling, tamping. Erecting the pool was the easiest part, it went up in about 8 hours, start to finish, with the help of a few friends. Filling should be complete today, so the real fun begins soon! I will update this thread with initial water test and levels, as I am sure I will have many questions regarding that process. Praying I am not fighting iron and crazy levels too much right away, but we shall see. Progress pictures attached!

 

[Texas Splash]

Nice!

 

[ejbuffett]

Okay. Got pump and filter up and running last night. Added 4lbs of stabilizer via sock method. And close to 2 gallons of 10% liquid chlorine. This is the only test that has been ran (my wife ran this while I’m at work). Based on this alone, what should I add when get home?

 

[ejbuffett]

I should add, I will do a full set of tests when I get home and post those. But if there’s anything I can pick up at the store on my way home, based on this, I’d like to do that. Thanks!

 

[ejbuffett]

FC - 9
CC - 1
TC - 10
CYA - 35
TA- 10
pH- lower than 6.8

 

[Texas Splash]

I'm really concerned about that pH and TA. Are you (or your wife) 100% confident in those two results?

 

[Texas Splash]

Just in case ......

pH Test

The pH test is a dropped based test using color matching. The solution is dropped … Read more…

www.troublefreepool.com

Total Alkalinity

A drop-based test used to measure the alkalinity in water. Alkalinity helps serve as a … Read more…

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[ejbuffett]

I'm really concerned about that pH and TA. Are you (or your wife) 100% confident in those two results?

I just got home and repeated the pH test myself. As well as ran all of the other tests listed above. I’m fairly confident in those numbers. It may be worth noting I filled with well water. She is in her way to get baking soda and borax now.