Above Ground Pool Wall Coating

I have an above ground steel pool with Cristex coating on the walls. My yard is slightly sloped. One side will be in dirt about 10". I have a 15' by 21' pool. 21' will be in 10" into the dirt. My question is can I just backfill with dirt right up to the pool? I was told the moisture in the dirt will eventually rust out the steel. Is the Cristex coating going to protect this rusting effect and oxidation from the chlorinated water. The company who installed the pool said they spray a rubber coating for longer life of the pool. Do I need this rubber coating or does the Cristex coating take care of that. I didn't want to spend more money for that rubber coating.



Hi. I'm not sure any type of wall coating will protect a wall against some types of soil. I've seen some soil eat through pool parts in less than two years, parts that should have lasted 15 years or better.

So not knowing how your soil is going to affect your new pool wall I think I would be on the safe side and at least lay some landscaping plastic between the wall and the dirt.

The plastic is inexpensive and will help to keep some of the moisture off the sidewall. Something many people don't realize is how much water might get splashed out of the pool and how damp that ground might stay all summer.

I have seen pools painted with roofing tar before dirt was back filled against them. I'm sure it extended the life of the sidewall but it is a messy job. This is not something you want to do if you think there is a chance the pool will ever be moved. There is nothing worse than taking down and trying to reinstall a pool that has been tarred.

I am not familiar with the spray this company uses but it sounds like it might be worth looking into. At least compare the cost to that of plastic.

All pools use special coating materials on their sidewalls and most of them hold up very well. It just comes down to how much extra money do you want to spend and how long do you want the pool to last.