Pool crumbled under ice , rebuild options?

[p3rhaps]

Hi everyone,

So our liner busted this winter and I have to install a new pool as it destroyed our wall beyond repair. Looking for advice. See attached pictures, would it be better or worst to install the pool on top of the foam?? (I.e. wall/rails sit on foam?) Or should the foam be only inside the pool (i.e. wall/rail sit on ground/pavers). Previous pool didnt have foam and is what lead to liner failling.

Was thinking about adding wall foam to the new pool but debating if it's worth it...seems thin... considering installing 1/2" extruded on wall all around...is that a yay or nay? Pool is in sunny area and seem to be getting heat in thru wall just from the sun... adding insulation would reduce that but keep more heat at night... it's a catch 22!!

Didnt have any pavers at the post previously, and one area with a bit of frost heave damage...would pavers help that any or it would still move with frost. Going to dig down that said area and add gravel crusher dust. See picture with circled area... that was my previous base. I will freshen it up before adding the same pool.




Thank you for input

 

[p3rhaps]

Is this type of surface rust/salt accumulation normal? Pool is 5 years old. Any way to prevent water from seeping between the cracks of the liner coping? Seems to be the entry point.

Liner seems super brittle as well at the bottom, normal after 5 years... I would think it should last longer...

 

[Newdude]

Hey p3rhaps and Welcome !!!

Sorry you fell through the cracks this morning. Most of our above ground members who deal with freezing, or even just our members that deal with freezing, are still closed up and not around yet.

See attached pictures, would it be better or worst to install the pool on top of the foam??

Ask 12 people this one and get 12 different opinions. IMO it's all subjective to the owner and nobody is wrong.

Inground vinyl pools have a similar floor battle over vermiculite and sand.

Was thinking about adding wall foam to the new pool but debating if it's worth it...seems thin... considering installing 1/2" extruded on wall all around...is that a yay or nay?

Same deal with its usefulness. We all agree it has a very low R value and does next to nothing for heat retention, but then we are split if it helps cushion the liner, or makes it easier to puncture it.

would pavers help that any or it would still move with frost.

2.5+ inch thick pavers are always recommended, but anything on top of a frost heaving area will move. The best defense is to try and make the area is as dry as possible with good drainage. Snow, ice and rapid melts/freezes will cause problems sometimes no matter what.

Is this type of surface rust/salt accumulation normal?

It shouldn't be but we've seen more and more the last few years. They make nothing like they used to, including the professional installers.

Liner seems super brittle as well at the bottom, normal after 5 years... I would think it should last longer...

Could be poor quality, already dried out, or both. 5 years for both the pool and the liner puts it around the height of Covid and/or the shortages. Here's to hoping it was just something they rushed out at the time for the sake of having stuff on the shelves. Not that quality control is great now, not even close, but it was utterly horrendous 5 years ago.

 

[zea3]

Hi p3haps and welcome to TFP! The rust you see on the inside wall is caused by microleaks, such as around the skimmer opening, and condensation between the wall and liner due to the difference between air temperature and water temperature. Wall foam might prevent that but I don't know. You can always get some spray on rust inhibitor to coat the inside wall before you install it. Maybe put a double coat around the skimmer and return openings.

Check local building codes. If they require you to sink pylons below the frost line to support a foundation for any building projects, say for example a shed or a deck then it would be a good idea to use pylons under each upright to prevent frost heave.