Ground ready for install

[matt4x4]

NWMNMom - I think you're referring to Islander2C's wall.
Can't find the thread though.....

[hoffmans]

Maybe you were thinking of Glepage's pool and retaining wall?
Here is the pic in the Above Ground Gallery http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthr...?t=2294&page=5

We are still plugging away here.
Thanks for all your input folks!
I really like the tar idea.

Double checked the level last night w/ the laser level.
I think DH plans on getting the excavator guy out here to regrade that hill that is feeding the pool area & take care of the backfill.

Right now the deepest we had to dig down was 2' 3" on that west side.
I called the sales lady we bought the pool from. She said we could backfill up to 2' w/o voiding the warranty.
I thought of skirting the outside of the wall w/ black plastic- just duct tape it all around and let it drape down. My thinking was- it would keep the backfill off the bottom tracks to help keep rust at bay. Don't know if DH likes the idea or not.

~Hoffmans

[ChuckD]

I think roofing felt might be a better idea where earth contscts the sides. Also, don't forget about what happens when there's no water in the pool. It'll make a good resistance to the backfill, but when absent????

[matt4x4]

Pool should NEVER have no water in it, if you must replace the liner at a future date, make sure it gets done when your soil is dry and rock hard, you won't risk any caving then.
As for roofing felt, felt may not be the right material since it retains moisture to some degree with it's porous fibers, maybe rubber roofing membrane, but at the same rate, a good thickness vapor barrier should suffice - thicker than 6 mil though.
The tar is not a bad idea, however, the pool wall is allready coated with about 6 high tech coatings layered for long term protection, if going with the tar, it would be your final barrier against the soil's acidity and plastic shouldn't be necessary anymore.
If the pool co. tells you 2 feet is fine, then try to slope it in such a way that you crown it at the highest point, and get relatively good slopes around each side of the pool, I would also leave the last foot unfilled - about 3 feet out from the pool wall, lay in some 4" Big-O tube (it's perforated plastic drain hose with a silt filter sock wrap) and backfill to grade with 3/4 inch gravel or pea gravel, this will stop weeds and grass from growing next to your pool and provide adequate drainage around the perimeter of your pool so it does not get overly sarurated soil all around it.
I have the septic bed beside my pool, so a hill comes down to directly beside the pool wall - in order to stop water from collecting there, I dug a trench around the pool and laid in the Big-O and backfilled with gravel and it seems to do a great job removing the water that used to collect there after rainfalls.

[hoffmans]

Wow
What a buncha useful ideas.
Matt- we are taking your drain tile idea for sure.
Ok- apparently the freeze line in our area is 18" maximum. Last winter we only reached 9". Winters here are mild.
But at any rate, we are going to have all the ground regraded around the pool and have the whole pool back filled to the 2' mark.
Even-Steven all the way around- no worries about weird freeze effects.
We will do Matt's drain tile idea and the slope away. Love the pea gravel fill tip to prevent weeds.

My skirting idea was only to protect the bottom track & plates from the clay. But using the gravel drainage tip, there won't be any wet clay in contact w/ the track & plates, so we should be fine there too.
You are right, the walls should be fine, they do have a zillion coatings on them.

Ok, so now we are at a stand still b/c of the RAIN.
Tomorrow (Thursday) If there is no rain we will lay out the tracks & plates and check for level again.

Am I good enough help for Tom to get the sides up or does he need a dude friend to come help us?
I think this wall comes in 2 pieces, not one long roll.
I also remember Dennis and Matt talking in the past about putting the wall on planks (or something) and rocking it to unwind???
Maybe we could do that, then we wouldn't need to ask anyone to come over & help? I really would like to avoid asking someone to come over on a work night/school night. Most people's weeknights are pretty busy w/ family stuff, it's not as easy as asking someone to comeover on a Saturday afternoon for a few hours where there would be burgers and beers.

Thank You all,
~Hoffmans

[NWMNMom]

We used the plank(s) to unwind and between DH and I, we did just fine.

[hrsdennis]

Here is what I do. I use a two wheel dolly to move the wall into place. I start the wall at a footplate and hold the wall up with my tripod. I unroll the wall a few feet at a time by leaning the wall back into my knees and then with a little twist of the hands and a little hip movement to move the knees to move the wall it somehow unrolls itself. I then turn and insert the wall into the bottom rail. As the wall gets lighter I will be unrolling with one hand and inserting into the bottom rail with the other. I do not use any boards under the wall. They would just slow me down.

My helper is always close behind installing the pool framework. That’s the real trick, install the frame as you install the wall and it will never blow down.

I am not a big fan of to many hands. Take small steps and two or three people are plenty.

Keep us updated, Dennis