Best way to backfill pool

by Beth
(Central Illinois)

I live in central Illinois. I am burying my 52" pool 24’ above ground pool into the ground. Do you have any advice on how to address drainage? Also, what should I backfill the hole with? I am concerned about the freeze/frost lines putting pressure on the pool walls if I backfill with dirt.



Hi Beth, you want to backfill with something that will pack solid, like dirt. You do not want the walls collapsing if you ever have to drain the pool. The only drainage you need would be around the top of the dirt next to the pool and the normal slope of a yard usually takes care of that. A slight grade, sloping out away from the pool, all the way around helps also.

Freezing ground is not something I am an expert on except that the concerns seem to vary a lot depending on where you are at. I recommend talking to homeowners around you who have done the same thing you want to do. Also talk to as many pool stores and installation experts as possible. They know the specific problems that your location might have.