Partial Below Grade Install

by Julie
(Waterford, WI)

Hello, we are installing an 18x34 Doughboy Sapphire pool. One end of the pool will sit 20 inches below grade. We need advice on exactly how to safely backfill the area and protect the pool walls from corrosion. I've attached a pic.

Also, you'll see how rocky our soil is, this is a concern, especially in the deep end. We will remove them and pack dirt as needed, but how many inches of sand would you recommend? We currently have enough sand for a 2 inch coat, but we're thinking we'll need more.

Any advice you can provide would be a great help, thanks! Julie

Hi Julie

I work in the Arizona desert, that looks like pretty normal soil to me. Keep working it, as the big rocks come out replace them with soil. Water and tamp the final grade and check once again for any rocks. After that your two inches of sand will be just fine. The more sand you use the more chance you have for footprints. You have so much more digging and dirt moving to do, just keep moving the rocks out of the pool area.

I do see a potential problem in the photo you posted. You started digging the hole before setting the braces and end rails.

When I do a deep end on an oval pool I always set the braces and end rails before I start digging, that way I dig the hole to fit the pool, instead of trying to fit the pool around a hole. That and it prevents any over digging, which is where it looks like you might be headed. Maybe not, photos can be deceiving at times.

Some of my customers would try and save some money and dig the deep end themselves, and 9 out of 10 times the hole was too big. This especially happens with Doughboy ovals. The steel channels extend into the pool a long way, past that you need another 6" of pool grade before you start your slope.

Just a suggestion, you may want to start unpacking boxes and get a pool frame to work off of.