Above Ground Pool Inground Problem

by AG

I have a 27x52 above ground pool in the ground. I have about 6 inches or more above the ground.

We have had a lot of rain this year and when I took the winter tarp off, I notice the pool walls have buckled. I have dug all the back fill back out. As I got towards the bottom, of course it was so muddy in certain areas. My walls have started to straighten back up as I got all the muddy soil away from pool and filled water back up to middle of skimmer. (water level was just below skimmer for winterizing)

I am going to start at one part of pool and back fill, then install a French drain with gravel..then dirt again...the French drain will gradually slope all the way around till it meets at the other end. I've dug a trench that also slopes deeper away from pool to also install french drain.

Do you think this will eliminate my problem?

Thanks AG

Hi AG.

With only 6" above the ground you really have to be careful with your water level. The water should always be above the level of the dirt on the outside of the pool.

It sounds like what you are doing with the drain is a good idea, the heavier the dirt gets the more likely it is to cave the pool in.

Another option you may consider is using a skimmer plate over the skimmer so you could then keep your pool topped off with water the entire winter.

Skimmer covers are made to fit just about any size and type of skimmer, I would sure look into one. A full pool, all winter, will probably prevent a cave in from happening again.

Above Ground Pool Landscape

by Leena
(NJ)

We just installed a 21' above ground pool over the old above ground pool. Now, there was a hole/gap around the pool that needed to be filled, so we pushed down the dirt and then covered it with mulch.

I was later reading some post and they said to keep dirt n mulch away from the pool wall. Now I am in fix and wanted to know what we did is it ok or will it damage the pool walls? And is there anything that can be done now?

Please help

Hi Leena.

In most cases soil or mulch around the pool will not hurt anything. Pool walls are well coated to prevent rust. The more packing you do around the outside of the pool the stronger the pool becomes, so I do recommend it.

If rust is a concern you can always run landscaping plastic up the wall to prevent soil or much from touching it.

You could also treat the lower portion of the sidewall with roofing tar if you felt better about it. That's what we recommend for pools that are set in the ground and back filled with dirt.

Best Way To Backfill Pool

by Beth
(Central Illinois)

I live in central Illinois. I am burying my 52" pool 24' above ground pool into the ground. Do you have any advice on how to address drainage? Also, what should I backfill the hole with? I am concerned about the freeze/frost lines putting pressure on the pool walls if I backfill with dirt.

Hi Beth.

You want to backfill with something that will pack solid, like dirt. You do not want the walls collapsing if you ever have to drain the pool. The only drainage you need would be around the top of the dirt next to the pool and the normal slope of a yard usually takes care of that. A slight grade, sloping out away from the pool, all the way around helps also.

Freezing ground is not something I am an expert on except that the concerns seem to vary a lot depending on where you are at. I recommend talking to homeowners around you who have done the same thing you want to do. Also talk to as many pool stores and installation experts as possible. They know the specific problems that your location might have.

Can I Bury My Above Ground Pool

I just bought a Tahitian 54" 27' round pool. I would like to put it 1-2 feet in the ground. I have close neighbors and with a deck that high off the ground I think we might feel like we are on stage.

Could I wrap the outer wall with a heavy landscaping paper? Back with sand after the pool is filled? Back fill with slurry??? I have read so much on the internet that I am confused!!

Hi.

This page goes into a little more detail about installing an above ground pool in the ground.

Above Ground Pool In Ground

It's important to backfill with something besides sand. You want something that will pack solid over a short period of time. The only way you will ever be able to drain the pool to work on it or change a liner will be if the ground on the outside of the pool is packed solid. Sand or rock would cave the wall in as soon as the pool were empty.

Another consideration is the depth you dig the pool. One to two feet is not a problem. You always want the pool water level to be above the level of the dirt on the outside of the pool.

Treating the wall prior to back fill can be done with plastic, roofing tar or not at all, it's up to you. Most wall are treated so well at the factory they can withstand many years in the ground with no rust or deterioration.

Installing An Above Ground Pool Below Grade

by James
(Vista , CA)

I am in the process of planning our backyard and want to have a pool with a deck around the pool, but don't want to have the deck 54 inches above the ground. 24" to 30" would be acceptable (no need for railing).

1st. Which pool would you recommend (33x18)?

2nd. I'm not crazy about back filling against the pool walls, is it acceptable to use drainage and a small cinder retaining wall at the bottom of the grade to prevent water form settling against the walls?

I live in Southern California so it is pretty dry here. Also, I have clay soil if that makes a difference. Any help would be great, thanks.

Hi James.

There are a lot of good pools on the market. I especially like the Doughboy and Lomart lines. They are quality pools that assemble the way they are supposed to every time.

There is nothing wrong with a retaining wall and drainage. I have seen it done very successfully and you never have to worry about a cave in. If I were doing that I would use a foam pool cove, just to be sure that if any water did sit around the pool for a short period of time, that it would not wash out the cove.

The clay should not make a difference as long as the pool is sitting on a firm base. If that means adding a few inches of crushed granite over the clay, that's what I would do. Granite is so much easier to level and smooth than clay, something to consider.