Plate Tamping Damp Dirt

by Elliot
(Suisun City)

My pool site has been wet from rain for a couple of months. If it doesn't rain for a week {it will still be damp} can I power plate tamp the site or would I need to wait another week or two?

The top couple of inches will probably be dry. The ground had a pool on it for twenty years so it should be fairly compacted already, I would think. I don't want to tamp it too early and mess it up. Thanks for your help.


Hi Elliot. The rule of thumb we use around here is if you can walk across the site without sinking, or leaving footprints, it is fine to pack. My thought is it would probably not need much packing, if any, after having the weight of all that water sitting on it for twenty years.

Again, around here, in Arizona, the site would be good to go the way it is. But if you feel packing should be done, you kind of have to use your best judgment as to when would be the best time.