pool stability

[joandsteveshill]

Hi, following my successful conversation with Glan yesterday I am now more confident in the chemical management of my new pool....thank you.

One thing I did not mention, but would like some advise on in this. We had the pool installed by a friend who is really good with his hands (Steve and I are rubbish at this sort of thing!). On filling the pool however, we have notcied that the ground is not quite as level as we had thought (despite having it excavated twice). The pool is a B&Q above ground Dream Pool, 460cm diameter and 120cm deep with steel panelled sides, a liner, and sits on a bed of sand. We have a ground cover between the liner and the sand.

The land seems to slope about 4 inches from one side to the other, so the water is slightly deeper at one side. The liner is holding the strain, some of which is taken by the support of the steel wall.

What I need reassurance on is, is this a terrible thing? Is the pool likely to collapse or is the liner likely to be strong enough to contain it.

All the literature goes on about levelling and we though we had cracked it, but, obviously not.

Realistically we are not going to be able to dismantle it and move it this summer, but I would appreciate your views.

Look forward to hearing from you.

[Glan]

Hi Joan,
Glad you have sorted out your water chemistry, I am very concerned however about the extent of your ground levels. The pool will with all probability collapse in a very dangerous and dramatic way, you will have a very large body of water going down towards the direction of the lowest part of your garden.
I must impress upon you how quickly you must empty your pool and level the ground.
If you do not, someone could get badly hurt.
I await your confirmation that you fully understand this warning.

All the best

Glan

[joandsteveshill]

I understand, just not sure how we can do it now. We will probably have to dismantle the whole thing, and I'm worried this may damage the pool. Will discuss with Steve, we will sort it though.

[joandsteveshill]

Hi,

Have examined the pool at length! What we have is an excavated square area of 16 foot (which was stage 1). When the retaining frame was erected to support the bank (as the garden is sloping) it was noted that the ground was not level. The frame is made of new railway sleepers (2 high) supported in the ground, and goes all the way around.

Stage 2 was a circular area dug inside the frame of just over 15 foot, the bank of this is deeper at one side, and the other side is level to the floor, the pool sits nicely in here (not against the sides), and we all thought it was level until the water went in, and we noticed either the ground gave way on one side because it was softer over there, or it was not level at all. Our friend who erected it is an engineer and is convinced it is more a "settling" issue, although the end result is the same.

On your advise we are draining at the moment, but think we have 3 choices.

1) wait a week and see if the ground gives way any more (there is a 7cm drop at present). Your previous email implies though even as it stands the pool is not stable, so probably not an option at all.

2) Dismantle the whole thing and put in a concrete base. Could you advise how deep this should be as no recommendation is given on our instructions, or......

3) Could we reinforce the side of the pool that is lower with lengths of sleeper attached to the external frame, and pushing against the metal struts/legs of the pool? This would take the weight off the poolside (or at least share it), and onto the frame.

We want it to be safe, and would value your views on the supporting option as an alternative to the concrete base.

Mnay thanks, Jo.

[Glan]

Hi Jo,
I can see where you’re coming from with the sleepers, but unfortunately this will not work, the only solution to stop you having to remove the pool and level, would be to concrete around the pool steel wall with at least 1m deep, and 250mm thick concrete. This will have the effect of turning your above ground pool into a concrete pool. I have to say this is not an option I would choose, as the amount of work involved will still be considerable.

If I where you, I would bite the bullet and redo the base, sorry. :(

ATB

Glan

[joandsteveshill]

Thanks, we are going for dismantling and concrete base, have to say we are gutted though. The wholse project costs have soared and it takes the fun out of it a bit, still, it will be great when it's done.