Oval Pool Installation On Wet Ground

by Angie
(PA)

We are waiting to have our 18'X 33' Doughboy AG pool installed. The ground was prepped and close to level. Rain stopped the work. The ground is wet. Not soupy, but still looks dark and wet. The contractor said to call him when it was dry enough. My question is: How dry does the ground have to be to install the pool. We are putting a deep end in it and I am concerned with the wet ground compromising the installation.

Hi Angie. My rule of thumb about installing above ground pools on wet ground is that you need to be able to walk across the area without your feet sinking in the mud.

My guess is if you can do that it should be fine. The deeper down they dig for the deep area, the dryer the ground should be. If the ground is dry enough to allow them to dig without sloshing around mud it will probably be fine.

It really depends on the contractors and what they are using to dig with. They may want to get the deep area done while the ground if soft and then give if a few days to firm up before the final shaping.

They will have to be the ones to decide what will work best.

Yard Too Wet For Pool Installation

What would you recommend for a slightly damp yard (muddy at times like spring, and a little water runoff stream running through backyard)?

Would an in ground pool be better than an above ground? Or neither perhaps. Two years ago my hubby bought a second hand above ground pool that has been sitting outside in the snow, so I'm trying to figure out whether we need to cut our losses with this pool and start afresh, or perhaps we are on our way down to the lake because our yard is not suited for a pool. What do you think? Thanks

Hi. The best way to install an above ground pool in yards that stay wet a lot of the time is to build up an area for the pool. You could have dirt hauled in and compacted, raising the pool area by six inches to a foot. This area should exceed the size of the pool by at least three foot all the way around.

The other option would be to sink the pool into the ground by a foot or so. When the dirt is back filled against the pool the water in the yard would not be a problem. This works even better if some type of drainage is provided to run the water away from the pool.

As an extra precaution against rust you could paint the portion of the wall that is in the ground with roofing tar. This will seal the wall and extend the life of your pool.