Help - Vermiculite/Portland Pool Base with loose dirt fill on new construction pool

[pappaloo]

Hi Experts,

I am building a DIY plunge (mostly inground) 9x29 pool (Home - Proudly Made in the U.S.A Pools - THE RECTANGLE POOL). The instructions are having me lay pressure plates, then 1" of dirt + 2" of sand. I want to replace the sand with vermiculite/portland. There was some some overdig due to buttress posts (2" in ground) and straps as shown in diagram. The question I have, is can I still use vermiculite/portland instead of the sand? I'd presume I should lay some compacting material (i.e. 3/4 crushed rock) instead of dirt. Any suggestions here?

Thanks!

 

[ajw22]

I do not see a problem using vermiculite instead of sand.

I am not sure about substituting 3/4 gravel for the dirt. Maybe 57 stone for the overdig area.

My concern is gravel poking up through the vermiculite base which can be thin for you.

Gravel Around Pools - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[pappaloo]

Thanks! To be clear, I'd use a #57, 3/4 clean (crushed) stone (same material as backfill). I'd aim for 2" of the vermiculite/portland pool base. Maybe I could run a compactor over to ensure there are no edges sticking up. I can also use my clay-loam soil, but I still worry about settling under the pool base, however not an expert at all.

 

[ajw22]

Thanks! To be clear, I'd use a #57, 3/4 clean (crushed) stone (same material as backfill). I'd aim for 2" of the vermiculite/portland pool base. Maybe I could run a compactor over to ensure there are no edges sticking up. I can also use my clay-loam soil, but I still worry about settling under the pool base, however not an expert at all.

Sounds like a good plan.