*Update* Above ground liner blowout and sand washout HELP!!

[Gillespies14]

We bought a house and have an 18’ above ground pool which was already here. It is in the back deck and we have been loving it...until, we swam all day and went to a wedding. Upon our return, the pool was empty! The sand apparently washed out on the low side (I realize that level has no low side) and the liner burst. We inspected the walls of the pool and there is no rust or anything so it seems to be due to the sand washing out and then it giving way. We have a new liner, pool pad, foam cove and coping strips...but I’m concerned about improperly repairing the soil and sand. I’ll put photos and hopefully you guys can give me some Help! I tried to capture the extent of the slope of the property too

 

[Mdragger88]

Omg so sorry this happened to y’all & really glad no one was injured!
let me tag some folks to help u along
@Casey
@kimkats
What do y’all think?

 

[Casey]

That base needs built back up n the only thing that you can safely build up with is crusher run. Its road base and you can add it in 3" lifts and wet it with hose water and use a plate compactor on it to build it up to the bottom track of the pool from the inside.

 

[Mdragger88]

It’s hard to see by the pics but is the whole pool surrounded by the deck? Also are the top rails sitting/hanging on the deck?
I just have to think that mostly dismantling the pool & digging all that down level to solid ground has to be the ideal solution unless you’re prepared to do as Casey suggests.
Then u can deal with the gap inbetween the deck & pool with a fascia board or something.
Also you’ve got to divert water from the pool site or else it may all be in vain.
I wish you luck with whatever u decide to do as you have a project on your hands.

How to level above ground pool - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Gillespies14]

Yes. Deck is all the way around. Ugh! I’m scared of this whole process! My husband is very handy and his friend is experienced at putting liners in due to having a pool for 30 years....but this is a lot

 

[kimkats]

Casey has a solid plan. What happened is what happened to my liner............the liner gave way and took the sand and water with it We added the crusher rock and sand just like Casey talked about. LOTS of wetting before we put the new liner in.

 

[Mdragger88]

You’re gonna have some sweat equity in your new home! Just Take your time & don’t rush it - the leveling is the hardest & most important part of an above ground build. Look around here on the forum there are several who have documented their build with the crusher road base. Keep us posted with how it goes. We love pics

 

[Teald024]

Hello and Welcome to TFP!!
I wish this intro was under better circumstances. That isn't going to be an easy fix at all. Before the liner failure, was there any indication that the sand under the pool was being washed out? If a leak started it, it usually doesn't cause a total failure of the pool. You will want to try to figure out which came first, the sand being washed out leading to a liner failure OR a hole in the liner that washed enough sand away to cause the liner to fail. I agree that you'll have to build up the base again. Then make sure that there is sufficient backfill around the entire pool base to prevent this from happening again.

 

[Rich D]

It really should be compacted under the deck just outside the pool wall as well which looks to be difficult. If I were doing it I think I would just use some road base to build a dam 1 foot away from the edge of pool under deck then get some ready mix concrete and mix it inside the pool and fill the entire area with concrete. It looks like it would be easier to get bags of concrete into the pool than loose gravel and you will get a much stronger fix and bigger biceps as well. More money and more work but you will get a better night's sleep..

They rent small electric mixers.

 

[Gillespies14]

There was no leak there & we didn’t notice any sand. I believe that the sand shifted & the liner burst at the seam....right where the jet was aimed. We just put a new filter in and it was moving major water! The three days prior... I had never seen such clear water! Haha My husband is thinking that we do a retaining wall outside of pool on the low side where it burst. Then, put down crusher run. Once we have that done, we will remove old liner and add sand across the base and replace liner. There was no pad before, but we have already purchased a pad and a foam cove. Does this sound feasible?

 

[Mdragger88]

You want the entire surface under the pool & a foot or so past to be the same material so the compaction is the same - all that water is very heavy so if part of it is not on the same hard base it will sink farther than the rest. Sand is only for cushion inside the pool where the liner touches - the bottom rail must be level & on solid ground. The top of the pavers should level with that solid ground & also placed firmly on it.

 

[Gillespies14]

So, we were wrong about it being dirt and then sand. It’s crusher run & sand. Would a retaining wall with rebar & concrete pad up to pool edge work? I’m thinking the backfill let go.