Patio block question

[NWMNMom]

Never did find out, do we need or NOT need patio blocks under uprights of an oval buttress free in the north where it is subject to freeze and frost heaves with winter/spring? We have severe winters here, sometimes the ground is saturated in our area so there are some issues with frost movement in the ground.

We were told when purchasing that we needed 12x12x1" blocks under each upright so we bought 22 of them and they sit stacked and waiting for our installation in the coming weeks. If putting blocks under the uprights/patio base plates (pool claims to have "oversized" patio base plates) will cause the wall to buckle in the spring with frost changes, I want to bring them back while I can. Any advise please????

[chazzilla]

My instructions called for them, but I am in Arkansas, and my install was not buttress free. I would just put them in for peace of mind if it was me. It is not that much more work, and I feel it wouldn't hurt. Hope this helps!

[NWMNMom]

I would really appreciate some input from someone who has a buttress free pool or has installed one IN AN AREA WHERE THERE IS FROST AND FREEZING WEATHER. We were completely freaked out when reading another post on this board where the poster indicated putting blocks under the uprights where there is frost will cause the wall to buckle when there are frost heaves. We NEED to know soon because install is only weeks away, we want to do it right. The local pool stores (closest one is 125 miles away) will not provide advice because we did not buy from them (they didn't have a buttress free model anyway) nor will they install this far away. We are on our own. PLEASE HELP!!! thank you.

[nicker]

We are in the same situation. Other then we have a round pool. I have read the the install instructions say to use them. How ever the dealer I bought our pool from said they DO NOT use them when they do installs. My neighbour also did not use them, third year on his pool no problems. London Ontario Canada. We get frost. I don't think I am going to use them either.

[NWMNMom]

Thank you. I appreciate the help. We bought all those patio blocks because the install instructions called for them, then read that they shouldn't be used in frost areas. I am going to return them.

[csevel]

Before you return them, I would ask an excavator or a contractor. Even though our pool has very wide base assembly...I feel much more confident setting the uprights on a footer-type foundation instead of directly into the mud precisely for the freeze/thaw effect. We get fairly harsh winters here in Ohio and it just seems like using patio blocks makes sense & would give much more stability to the installation.

[bsbrega]

I live in a frozen-tundra winter area and have had my AG 27' round pool for 15 years with no problem. And YES, I have blocks. I would go right ahead and use the blocks.