Filling in a back yard pool.

[Reg]

I think this is the right place for this,.
Apology to the mod if it is not, please move it if you deem fit.

My son is working for a "Landscaper".
A lose term for a guy who will take on just about anything.
They have a BobCat (small Gehl, to be precise) and I move it around with my truck/trailer for them sometimes.

Yesterday it was a back yard pool fill project and about an hour into it I got called to please bring my tractor to pull the Gehl out - - Huhh ?
Another guy had been going along close to an edge when the concrete apron had caved under the weight of the machine.
Fortunately there was some dirt already in that area and the broken concrete slid across as a slab. Nobody was hurt.

I speculate that;
In ground pools are only lightly back-filled before water is put in.
After the water is put in there might be some more fill, but I doubt that it is ever rollered and PACKED.
If a decorative concrete apron is then poured it is quite possible that (over the course of several years) the fill will settle and voids will develop, i.e. the concrete apron will not be supported and if relatively thin will NOT be able to support a vehicle such as a tractor or BobCat.
As a decorative "apron" this one appeared to be only a couple of inches thick where it broke.
I would guess the construction would be the same as for a path/walkway.
-----------end of speculation-------------
I was able to get on supported concrete and tugged it out easily enough with 3/8 CHAIN - - to the drawbar.

I would like feedback on this, specifically whether my speculation on how back-filling is done around in ground pools is close to reality.
Also whether my assumption that fill settles even if sheltered from rain by the concrete apron.

Thoughts ?
{other than don't let my son do such projects}

[PaulChristenson]

Well, when I filled in my pool there was nothing but dirt under the concrete apron...no gravel or stone...

The backfill was a different issue, because it was a banked pool on two sides...

[Red55]

There was a post that showed a TBL going over because the concrete gave way. . . Now if I could only remember the post. Most inground pools that I've seen have been backfill and I see quite a few put in just before the winter so the fill can settle in before the concrete apron/slab was poured in spring. Also remember that with deconstruction you have changed the dynamnics of the site. I just fill in my pool and I jackhammered (all day) about 5 yds of concrete that I tossed into the hole before I started backfilling. -ED

[Reg]

Originally Posted by Red55

There was a post that showed a TBL going over because the concrete gave way. . . Now if I could only remember the post. Most inground pools that I've seen have been backfill and I see quite a few put in just before the winter so the fill can settle in before the concrete apron/slab was poured in spring. Also remember that with deconstruction you have changed the dynamnics of the site. I just fill in my pool and I jackhammered (all day) about 5 yds of concrete that I tossed into the hole before I started backfilling. -ED

Thanks,
I think that is probably what SHOULD have been done, but this is pretty much a hack job.
An opportunity to bury junk, no attention to packing it down every so many inches of lift, just get tailings hauled in and shove 'em over the side, then get it more or less level, get paid and get out.

Hind sight, I know, but if the shallow end had been filled first with the broken up apron they would have had something to drive on to actually CARRY the fill to the deep end... and build it up to level with constant driving over it.

Right now the tailings are wet and it is like driving around in clay soup.
I might take the tractor down there in a couple of days if things dry out and they don't get too impatient and "finish" it.

tnx,

\R

[Charlesaf3]

out of curiousity, why are the pools you guys discuss being filled in?

[PaulChristenson]

I filled mine in, because in VT you have a very SHORT season, unless you want to invest in the POWER Companies for a pool heater...

[Reg]

Originally Posted by Charlesaf3

out of curiousity, why are the pools you guys discuss being filled in?

It is my understanding that the home owner's kids are "all grown and gone".
Change of lifestyle, loss of interest, etc.
There is obvious evidence of neglect, probably over several years.
There are 4 (casual count, might be more) beer kegs in the yard, presumably empty.
THAT pool is a liability to THAT homeowner, in upkeep and risk exposure.

So, from some angles filling it in makes some amount of sense.

[Charlesaf3]

ah thanks.

I've thought of putting one in, so its really useful to hear about why people take them out. No need to go to that trouble and expense if I'll just fill it in later.

[Treemonkey1000]

The sad fact also is there is a huge liability issue that goes with them. Pretty much you have to have them fenced in around here to help protect yourself from being taken to court if someone gets hurt. Even if they were trespassing.

[TomOfTarsus]

<Tangent>

Yeah, I live near Pittsburgh and had a few pools while the kids were growing up. Stupid...

Too short of a season, constant messing around with chemicals and cleaning, expense of running a filter, all that malarkey, and the legal risks.

I have a membership at the local YMCA now. Heated indoor pool, 12' deep end, springboards, we can go all year around, no messing with chemicals or cleaning, lifeguards always present, no legal liablilties, shower on their dime & all at once (with 5 kids that's a big plus) - and there's a lot more to do at the "Y" than just swim... hindsight...

</Tangent>