Landscaping Around An above Ground Swimming Pool To Protect The Wall
by Robbin
What is the best way to landscape around your pool? I just had my 11 year above-ground swimming pool replaced. I've used beach rocks (about 1" diameter smooth surface) about 5-6" deep going out about 2 1/2 feet out from wall on my old pool. The installer said that I should not put the rocks butted to the wall since they'll scratch it and, in time, wear away the powder coating and exposing bare metal. (This is true) I've got all these rocks (about $1000-$1500 worth) and am going to reuse them but I'm not sure how to protect the wall before I push them back to the wall. One other thing, at the end of the installation, one of the crew guys shoveled a lot of the left over sand mixed in with the rocks that had been pushed aside (for re installation) up to the track. As he was doing it I questioned it because of what the other installer (his co-worker there with him) said about scratching the wall. He replied that he had to for the interim so I could fill the pool. (I have heard something like this. You always want to check with the manufacturer to find the best ways to handle this. If it was only for the interim, he should be able to come back and smooth things out) Now I have to shovel all that left over sand mixed in with the rocks out of there, sift the rocks from the sand and shovel the rocks back in (I do not want dirt in with them because weeds grow and I don't like the look). I checked out about a 4' section last night to see what I was dealing with. I shoved the rocks/sand away from the track. A lot of the smaller rocks were stuck up under the track. I dug them out as well as getting a lot of the tiny pebbles out of the small gap between the track and wall. (I would have the installer back to take a look at that. It seems as if you're doing alot of digging and scooping. Why didn't he fix the issue?) Then I shoved up pure sand under the track and a little overlap. One of the problems is that I noticed that the installer did not cove it properly. The booklet said 8" long and 4" up for the curved cove. When I questioned the installer after he left, he said that he put a cove there. But walking around the edge in the pool last night I felt that there is hardly a cove - almost up 90 degrees from floor. (This is my understanding: For Beaded Liners, create a packed triangular cove which is 4" high and 4" wide against the pool wall. For Overlap Liners, create a packed triangular cove which is 6" high and 6" wide against the pool wall. Lightly sweep over entire cove to remove any imperfections. I would bring the contractor back, have him read the booklet, then prove to you that what he did matches what it says in the booklet. If it's not the same, ask him why not? Why is his way better than the manufacturer's requests?) So needless to say, there is not much sand under the liner where the track is - maybe hardly any so the liner would be very close to the track. I am very distraught and don't know what to do. (Different above ground pool manufactures have different, but very similar, rules concerning this issue. Check with them, then give that proof to your contractor and ask him if his specs. match the manufactures specs. If he is doing something different, ask him why?) I was thinking of putting that landscaping material up against the wall before I put the rocks back rather than plastic (or the hard plastic edging rolls as he suggested) so it could butt right up to the wall/track but still allow water to drain (rather than plastic). (Many pool owners do that. I know exactly what you're talking about If you want rock up against the pool wall, there should be a barrier between the two.) Thank you for your help. Follow Up Comment By: Robert That's alot to write about Robbin, so what I'll do is go through your post and give answers in there. Follow Up Comment By: Robbin Date: June 25, 2010 Hi Robert Before I leave from work I want to let you know that I thank you so much for getting back with me and for your suggestions. Because I've been so busy at home, I've yet to check you're website to see if there were any comments. But I will do so this weekend then get going on what I have to do. Thank you so much again and I will get back with you regarding the resolution of my problems. I'm glad I found your website and am sure I'll be using it over the years. Take care Robbin Question: Plants Around An Above Ground Pool Date: Dec 02, 2011 By: Debbie I would like to plant some shrubs around my above ground pool for PRIVACY but no one seems to know what to plant. I have a peeping tom over my back fence who seems to just lay in wait for any signs of pool usage, including my children. We want to be able to enjoy our pool with privacy from this sicko. Can you please help with NAMES of plants that do not drop their leaves & grow to at least 2-3 mtrs in height. They also need to have a non invasive root system, as there is only brickies sand between the earth & liner. Does such a plant exist?? I live in Brisbane Australia. The pool is 4.5mtrs W x 9mtrs L x 1.2mtrs H. Your help would be much appreciated. Comment By Robert Thanks for the question Debbie First I would advise you to look as some trees and shrubs that are indicative of your area. I've never been to Australia (and I say that at the most unfortunate level) so I can only guess at what you would need. I did find a site that may help you: http://www.calyx.com.au/hedges.html Here are some plants and shrubs to consider: Redosier Dogwood Leyland Cypress Lilac Many of my pool customers had Oleanders. These are very good but may tend to flower. If you have an above ground pool it may not be a big issue. An Oleander grows very fast and can reach 2 - 3 meters. Others can include these: Cherry Laurel Eleagnus Euonymus Pittosporum There are different variations of these plants so be sure to check with your local plant nursery to see which of these you could use. Hope this helps and let me know how it turns out for you. |
