Why can’t I just add dirt?

[Das_Shelly]

Hey guys. Thanks for all your help so far. I had posted about this last week but have more questions. Put up a 24 foot round agp. Am on clay and had to dig out a bit to level. Now have a moat on one side with standing water when it rains which I don’t like ( see pics) I was thinking about putting a french drain in amd went and got everything, but would actually have to dig out a lot more to accommodate the 4” Drain hose around the pool. We just had 3 days of rain and I feel like I need to do something quick ( but im also so worried this pool is way different than my last one ) is there any reason why I can’t fill in the “moat” with the dirt I removed when leveling? And probably add more On the one side so that it All drains one way? Does that make sense? What are your thoughts? I feel like I have seen people “backfill” which I think is just adding dirt back and then I have seen complicated drain fields etc. please see pics and let me know if you need a better view. I am an ICU nurse and work nights so have limited time to get done ANY input or help Or advice is appreciated. Thank you.

 

[splashpad]

What are your thoughts? I feel like I have seen people “backfill” which I think is just adding dirt back...

Check your pool's manufacture specs, if they allow a certain depth of backfill, that should be fine. I would at least put a shallow layer of fine gravel (pea gravel maybe?) in that area to help with drainage and displace standing water.

 

[Das_Shelly]

I bought mine used. I think I found the manufacturer, some info is in French lol but am researching part numbers now to hopefully find Out that information.

 

[Shirker]

I had a similar issue. Added some river rocks and a perforated drain on the "high" side. Then back filled with dirt to cover the drain but kept a wall of river rocks right next to the pool to keep the dirt from sitting right on the pool wall. I also tried to make a little hill all the way around to keep everything draining away from the pool.

Note: 1 issue I had was that the rocks scratched the paint on the pool wall and caused a few very tiny rust spots. If I were to do it over again, I would do everything the exact same way, but maybe paint the pool wall were it would be below grade or touching the rocks.

 

[Das_Shelly]

Ok I am back with progress Pics. Should I be covering the drainage pipe with dirt or no. I am very unsure about what to do here thank you for any advice

 

[Das_Shelly]

This relates to another post from earlier called “why cant I Just add dirt”. I am attempting a french drain around my AGP sitting in clay soil. I am unsure if I should cover the pipe with dirt or not To prevent standing water. Please help. This clay is NO JOKE. Pictures below.

 

[Shirker]

That is perforated drain, right? I'm not a landscape expert so hopefully someone else will chime in. But I would worry about the clay clogging the tiny holes in the pipe. It might be better to use more of that pea gravel I see in the picture. And you need the pipe to drain somewhere down hill. Do you have a place for the water to exit?

 

[TonyM]

With clay you might be better off using a berm and swale to move the water where you want it. You would need to run the swale downhill from the pool - if you have a tiller it will speed things up and be easier on the back. Till the swale and use that loose dirt for the berm. Sew grass on it all to keep it from washing out.

It wont take long for that pipe to get plugged with clay.

 

[Shirker]

Sew grass on it all to keep it from washing out

Yeah, grass is going to be your friend with all that clay. I don't know what grows well in your area, but if you can get something started, even if it is an annual, it would help to hold the dirt in place.

 

[Juicemann]

Is the bottom support rail still visible?
Slide a pice of aluminum roll flashing down into the area between the pool wall and bottom rail. You may have to clean it out real good first.
6, 8, 10 inches high are your options.
I'll attach a picture of what I did.

 

[Juicemann]