Need Assistance with Compacting Dirt before Pouring of Patio around Steps.
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Need Assistance with Compacting Dirt before Pouring of Patio around Steps.
We recently had a pool installed in the fall. The cover prevented a lot of settling approximately 2' around the perimeter of the pool. 95% of the pool is fine as the constructing of the steel walls are straight and we have compacted the dirt and I can not poke a stick without putting a lot of pressure straight down so I am assuming the dirt is compacted pretty well around the pool.
Although the steps, which I thought was compacted well was not. I went around every 4" around the perimeter of the plastic steps (4 steps in all) and slowly poked a hole down without disturbing the 2 jets in the steps and slowly poured water in each hole. I allowed the water to sit for about 5 minutes and carefully used the shovel to slowly push the dirt down and I am getting more settling.
So my questions are as follows:
1) How often should I do this? Is once a day ok?
2) How much water is too much water? Do no want any problems with water soaking underneath and eventually lifting the liner.
3) Any other thoughts on removing the air pockets, if any would be great.
The mason will be here between 3-4 weeks for the Concrete Patio. The steps have about 14 supports that are embedded in the concrete base. So I believe the steps will not come apart off the pool. More concerned about settling and shifting of concrete down the road.
https://imageshack.com/i/nmg5tfj
PLEASE CLICK ON LINK- As I am having trouble uploading pictures. Thanks!
Although the steps, which I thought was compacted well was not. I went around every 4" around the perimeter of the plastic steps (4 steps in all) and slowly poked a hole down without disturbing the 2 jets in the steps and slowly poured water in each hole. I allowed the water to sit for about 5 minutes and carefully used the shovel to slowly push the dirt down and I am getting more settling.
So my questions are as follows:
1) How often should I do this? Is once a day ok?
2) How much water is too much water? Do no want any problems with water soaking underneath and eventually lifting the liner.
3) Any other thoughts on removing the air pockets, if any would be great.
The mason will be here between 3-4 weeks for the Concrete Patio. The steps have about 14 supports that are embedded in the concrete base. So I believe the steps will not come apart off the pool. More concerned about settling and shifting of concrete down the road.
https://imageshack.com/i/nmg5tfj
PLEASE CLICK ON LINK- As I am having trouble uploading pictures. Thanks!
#3
Member
Thread Starter
No, not sand. This is the original soil that drains well, not any clay either. I have been instructed to put water daily for the next few weeks. Have been poking holes like I mentioned before & carefully stepping on the soil. In the middle of the steps it is so compact that I can not even push a plastic tube through it. So this area is fine. Works on the outside of steps daily. And this picture is from the Fall. The settling was about 4"-6" but has been filled since.