Inground Pool - Help Please

[bmac]

Well, wifey and kids wanted a pool. Matters not that we have a neighborhood pool that our homeowners dues pays for. Wife says water is dirty and there are often unruly kids there, making their visits unpleasant. Didn't help that a few neighbors have installed backyard pools.

So, I give in and we take the plunge (pun intended). They are nearing completion of the project - should have it filled by next weekend if the liner arrives before mid-week.

Yesterday, they completed the concrete decking. As I begin to contemplate the landscaping around this money pit, I had some thoughts that I wanted to bounce off you fine, creative folks.

I thought my backyard was relatively flat. However, the true slope came to light once the pool was formed up and the decking was poured. On the rear-most portion of the pool, the dirt slopes down from the pool deck to the yard (covering, I might add, a lot of previously installed Bermuda sod - Ouch!). I am guessing that there is a 2-3 foot vertical difference between the height of the pool deck and the grass at the bottom of the slope.

I had originally planned to re-sod the area from the yard to the pool deck but am now having second thoughts. Here is my idea - to come off the pool deck about 4 feet and then cut a vertical drop to the level of the pre-existing lawn. I would then place a retianing wall and place shrubs / flowers in the area around the pool and re-sod from the existing grass to the retaining wall.

I have attached a picture to help illustrate my idea. Keep in mind as you view the photo - the equipment in the background belongs to the pool contractor - not me. I do not yet own a tractor (and after paying for this blasted pool - it may be awhile before I do - Dangit!). But, I can rent and play with a Terramite or something similar if you guys think it would do the job. I could probably get the pool contractor to do the digging while his equipment is here, but then I lose out on the fun.

Does anyone have another idea for this project? My thoughts on the retaining wall was to use those pre-cast concrete thingys you see at Lowes or Home Depot. I think they would support the dirt as long as the wall isn't too high. Anyone used those before? Easy or difficult to install? Should I use this pool landscaping project as justification for a BX22? I would probably have to put the project off for awhile to aford that option. Maybe spread some pine straw over the clay to hold things for awhile.

Sorry for the long post. Any help and suggestions would be appreciated.

The true slope is hard to see in the photo. I'll post another view that may help.

 

[bmac]

Here's a view from the rear of the pool.

 

[bmac]

And, just for fun, here's what the pool looks like.

 

[MDNY]

Bmac,

Forget the pool, you have a nice yard too. Pretty large one at that. How big of a lot do you have 2 acres?

Pool looks nice too. I can understand your family wanting their own. Neighbors change attitudes and move, community pools are not the same as your own.

Good luck.

 

[TAB]

I think the retaining wall would work well and look great. It will also help the pool area look like it blends into the yard. The retaining wall is definately something you can do, just don't shortcut on the base (thats why so many look wavy) and make sure you get drainage from behind it. We did a stone retaining wall on one side of our pool, two lifts of about 2'. We are going to change one thing this fall, we had flowers between the pool and the upper wall but are putting in 30' boxwoods with gravel mulch. It will look better in the winter and cut down on some of the stuff that blows from the landscaping to the pool. The blowing is the only drawback to the raised pool. If you have to have a privacy fence that will take care of the wind.

 

[bmac]

TAB,

Can you explain more about the base and drainage? Should the first course of stone rest on a gravel bed, sand or the native clay? Should there be gravel behind the wall before back filling?

I have heard others recommend gravel or stone "mulch" around pools. Organic mulch seems to blow into the water. I like your idea about the boxwoods.

Do you think 4 feet is wide enough for the planting bed? Also, do you have pictures of your wall that you can post?

Thanks

 

[MossRoad]

<font color=blue>Should I use this pool landscaping project as justification for a BX22?</font color=blue>

Of course!!! /w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif

You're asking the right crowd if you want a yes to that /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Have you planned for a security fence around the pool to protect the todlers and to CYA with the insurance company?

 

[bmac]

The entire yard is fenced with locks on each gate. This will satisfy the local codes. I'll have my insurance agent take a look as well. Interestingly, I checked with him before we broke ground to see what impact this project would have on my homeowners rate. Was surprised that it doesn't increase my premiums at all. He did recommend that I bump up my umbrella from $1 million coverage to 2 or 3. This is pretty cheap insurance so I will probably heed his advice.

Codes and insurance notwithstanding, my wife and I are very safety conscious. So, in addition to the locked gates, we will have a pool alarm and I am even thinking about a security camera / motion detector. We'll see about that.

I do appreciate the reminder about the fence. And, I knew I could count on everyone here for tractor support. As if anyone really needs an excuse.

I was hoping to get some advise on techniques for terracing the perimeter per the first attachment. Is this a job for a backhoe? Would a FEL be sufficient? As mentioned before, I don't own a tractor and my only experience is renting a JD 4300 on a couple of occassions. Man, I NEED that Kubota!

Photo is me on the rental moving part of a playset that used to be where the pool is now.

 

[bmac]

Here's a pic of the pool site before excavation and after I moved the playset.

 

[MossRoad]

I'm sure you could do it yourself, and it would be very fun. However, if the contractor already has the equipment there, he might not charge you too much to rough it out for you. By looking at it, I think I could do the excavation very well with my little tractor's FEL in an easy day provided I had a good plan before I started. Building walls takes time, etc.. and having a good plan so you don't have to move dirt twice, stockpile dirt nearby, but not in the way for easy back filling and not destroying the existing yard in the process are my main concerns. I don't think a back hoe would be necessary, unless you need to dig a trench for a footing for the wall.

If you are considering purchasing a tractor, I think your idea of renting a machine is a great one. It will give you great insight as to what a machine of a given size will do , etc.. and might halp you make a decision as to which type of machine you need. Good luck and keep us posted on this interesting project.

 

[MReeter]

bmac,had to build retaining walls also,I would leave at least 4' between pool and walls,closer 6'.A BX would be perfect for this project,the blocks we used were 90 lbs. each,our FEL was well worth its weight,also moved a lot of gravel to pour in the block cavities.The walls are about 4' at the highest point and have not moved an inch in 3 years,I recommend the heavier blocks,they are tougher the work with,a little higher priced,but will stay put for many,many years.

 

[MReeter]

Another shot..

 

[bmac]

MReeter,

That wall looks great. What did you lay your 1st course of block on? Do you know the dimensions of these blocks?

Thanks for your help

 

[Bill_in_MI]

bmac,
I had the same situation when we put our inground in several years ago. It had to be raised 2 to 2.5 feet due to ground water level. It worked out ok though because it made the pool deck level only a few steps down from the house slider doors. I then added a deck on two sides and just sloped the ground gradually the rest of the way around. It's too dark right now to take a pic, but I found one that gives a rough idea. I can take more if you want. We used planting beds to keep the grass a little way from the pool. Easier to keep it clean when the grass clippings start to fly. Oh...I did make use of my old Kubota B7100 to move the dirt around!

 

[micromike]

Here is a great site to brows. Lawnsite.com

http://lawnsite.com/index.php?s=

Many expert landscapers who can answer virtually any question. Nice pool and yard. I'm sure you're going to love it. I would!

Mike

 

[MReeter]

bmac,The blocks are approx. 18Wx12Dx8H,the first course was laid on a "footing" of chat,finely crushed stone about 1/4"-3/8" in size.The footing was dug about 20" wide by 6" deep,and filled with chat.The first course of blocks is laid below grade,this helps to keep the bottom from kicking out.

The blocks are tied together using 4" fiberglass pins,holes are pre-cast in the pour,also a cavity that is filled with chat.The pins and the crushed stone is what holds the blocks together and keeps them in place.The chat is what lets water drain through the blocks,so there is not pressure behind the wall.

This style block might a little over-kill for what your wanting to do,I've seen them used in walls that are 12' tall,and haven't budged. They are a lot of work to install and finish,but I only wanted to do this once.

I've seen walls with the natural colored blocks with red cap blocks,and visa/versa,very sharp.Good luck on your project,looks like a good job to break-in a BX on!!!

 

[bmac]

Bill,

Your landscaping is beautiful. Just to make sure I understand you, your planting bed surrounds the pool deck and from there you planted grass on a gentle slope? I.E., no retaining wall.

The slope on mine is such that I think I would have to put at least 1 or 2 courses of blocks around the planting bed to keep the soil / mulch from washing down the slope. That would sure be easier than building a 2-3 foot high retaining wall.

Thanks for the reply. I would love to see more pictures if you have the time.

 

[bmac]

Mike,

Thanks for the site reference and the kind words. I know the wife and kids will enjoy the pool. I would have rather had a tractor. Maybe next year.

 

[TAB]

I will look for some how to sheets at school to send you. I have usually put down about 6" of stone dust or crushed concrete as a footer below grade. This was compacted and made as level as possible. That takes a little work but with that solid level base everything else will be much faster and easier. If you don't go over 4' high you can do it in one lift. Over four feet you will want 2 or more lifts with 4' or so between drops. Keep the one around the pool at least 4' wide as you don't want a kid to horse around and fall over the side. Make sure water can get from behind the wall so it doesn't get too much pressure from behind. In gravely or sandy soil I have made the footing thicker in a couple places and had tile get the water from behind. In clay I have put a drain pipe behind the wall and drained it out the end or through an opening that we cut into the block.
Have fun with it and don't jump to soon, make sure you do what you want not just something to get it done. Of course you need the tractor, at least as much as your wife and kids needed the pool.

 

[bmac]

MReeter,

Well, those are some hefty blocks. From your description, I remember seeing a wall installed with this kind of block on one of the "Building Shows" (as my kids call them) - This Old House or something similar. Very nice. Sturdy.

I agree that my project (and my back) may not require that kind of product. But, like you, I don't want to have to come back later and repair a shifting wall.

Thanks for the reply.