Pavers Under Legs - Steel wall pool

[Marcre]

I’m getting ready to install a steel wall above ground pool. Ground is prepped with 6” of compacted gravel and 2” of sand on top. Site drainage is decent.

Winters here can get very cold and I’m concerned about heaving, I want to mitigate any damages as much as possible.

What’s everyone’s thoughts on pavers under the legs? I’m reading mixed reviews, some say it’s better without pavers and some say it’s better with pavers for lasting these freezing cold winters……

 

[ajw22]

Only you know your ground conditions.

Most of the time people use the 2 inch thick 'pavers' that are really stepping stones and only 1.7 or 1.5 inch actual thickness. 3+ inch pavers are actual 2.5+ inch and won't crack.

Use large thick pavers.

How to level above ground pool - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[mariane]

Can you put the pool size and type into your signature? It would help out others to know what you have.
What do the installation instructions require? Our Doughboy required cinder blocks under the uprights along the straight sides and recommended pavers under the others. I agree with ajw22 about the paver thickness.
The uprights will sink in time without blocks.
Is the wall track on solid ground? Is the gravel and sand on the inside of the pool walls?
Our pool's been up almost 20 years and I've seen a little settling. I wouldn't chance going without the pavers.

 

[Newdude]

+1 to using 'thick' pavers. The 2 inch stepping stones that everyone calls pavers, are 1.5 inches actual and crack. Not all of them will crack, but 5 to 7 more than none will crack.

Use 2.5+ actual thickness pavers and not stepping stones.

 

[Marcre]

Can you put the pool size and type into your signature? It would help out others to know what you have.
What do the installation instructions require? Our Doughboy required cinder blocks under the uprights along the straight sides and recommended pavers under the others. I agree with ajw22 about the paver thickness.
The uprights will sink in time without blocks.
Is the wall track on solid ground? Is the gravel and sand on the inside of the pool walls?
Our pool's been up almost 20 years and I've seen a little settling. I wouldn't chance going without the pavers.

Thank you! Pool is 15ft round. Entire pad is tamped gravel. Instructions call for pavers and I plan to use blocks under each post leg. I really don’t see a downfall as long as the ground is prepped properly.

 

[mariane]

The instructions should also show uprights and wall track need to be on undisturbed level ground. The blocks/pavers would be flush with the ground surface. I don't think putting them on the tamped gravel would be considered undisturbed ground.

 

[VinnyinNJ]

I had 2 AG pools professionally installed here in NJ and they installed the uprights on pavers. I think they were the thinner ones but not 100% sure. Each installer used their own pavers so new pavers both times.

 

[bkp22]

I don't understand how you are supposed to put pavers in flush and level without disturbing the ground around them and making a bigger problem. I have a soft-sided pool and I just put everything on the dirt. Of course in my case the dirt in question is extremely hard-packed clay so I recognize that is not common everywhere.

 

[mariane]

I don't understand how you are supposed to put pavers in flush and level without disturbing the ground around them and making a bigger problem. I have a soft-sided pool and I just put everything on the dirt. Of course in my case the dirt in question is extremely hard-packed clay so I recognize that is not common everywhere.

Freeze thaw cycles up in our north can cause the ground to shift, so the hard sided pools staying up year round require the extra support.
When our hard clay soil gets water logged it swells. When it gets dry it cracks.
To install the pavers, the ground needs to be dug out only where the paver will sit so it can be made flush to the ground. Even solid clay will not hold the steel walled pool for many years.
The pool's weight is supported by the wall track on the undisturbed ground and the uprights on the pavers, but not by the top rails like a soft sided pool.
Hope this helps.