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BACKFILLING THE POOL
When backfilling the over-dig, it is useful to have a string set up along the coping of the long
sides of the pool to help maintain straight walls. The water level in the
pool should be at least
½ way up the vertical walls to help offset the pressure of the backfill. Do not fill the pool any
higher than 1”
-2" below the bottom of the skimmer or you risk over stressing the pool walls.
During the backfill process, be careful to remove any large rocks, cinders, large roots, or other
debris. Good backfill material can either be clean sand, river run, pea gravel, or small grade
limestone. The plumbing should be supported or arranged flat in the trench to avoid excessive
stress on the plumbing pipes. Backfill the overdig up to the top of the pool wall panel, not to
the top of the coping. This allows for some settling and the correct thickness for the concrete
decking. Once the pool is completely backfilled, fill the pool with water to the middle of the
skimmer opening. Excessive water soaking around the pool to help "settle" the backfill should
be avoided due to the possibility of water seeping under the footing and floating the liner. This
can also wash fine grit behind the liner. The best method for compacting the backfill is to rent a
high frequency power soil compactor (plate style compactor) available at most rental shops.
This tool can be operated somewhat close to the pool walls and is by far the fastest, most
effective way of reducing future settling problems
The final grading and contouring
of the backfill should take in
consideration the area and
drainage of the pool deck and
the drainage of the surrounding
yard with the purpose of
channeling the rain or snow
runoff away from the pool.
TOOLS
String, Earthmoving Equipment
TIP
It is possible for the pool walls to
get pushed inward during
backfilling. If this occurs, the pool
walls will need to be dug out by
hand all the way down to the
footing. This will allow the
pressure to push it back out.
IMPORTANT! All earthmoving
equipment (such as a caterpillar,
backhoe, front end loader or
bobcat) must be kept a minimum
of 3' away from the pool walls at
all times to offset the risk of
caving in pool walls.