Florida Block-Pool Build

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duraleigh said:
changing the subject a bit.......are you thinking of a well point (pump) to keep the water away from your pool?
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I have installed FOUR well points and pumped them simultaneously from directly under the deep end, and it wasnt really enough to keep my water table at bay. This is part of my frustration from earlier in this thread, dealing with the rain and high water table.

What I've decided on since then, is using a dewatering system I've seen on the internet quite a bit. I whipped up a 5th grade level Paint drawing to explain.
The other big help with the ground water problem is simple. I'm going to give up a foot on the deep end. After talking to people, there seems to be no real benefit to extra deep pools if you don't dive.
With these two measures in place, and a very overkill footing for the walls, I believe I can overcome the challenges with the water.



pool dewatering.png
 
duraleigh said:
Likewise, no diving board for me so my "deep" end was about 6 feet.

I am on a slope so I can drain to daylight and the ground water really comes out of there during a thunderstorm.
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I'll probably end up around 5 ft.
So do you still have that house with the pool? If so, I've always wanted to see how your finished skimmer inlets look with the pool filled. I've gone through all your old media here and never saw a photo of it. Only some taken during construction.
 
Well, I've been digging. It's slow progress because the footing trench is so large. I have to go WIDER than needed because the sand walls inevitably cave in. I decided I need a layer of crushed rock put down first, simply to try to combat the muck and mud at the bottom...so I'm ALSO going down further.
4" of rock, then the 8" footing, then the CMU wall 5 blocks tall.. I need to get 52 inches below the elevation of the house's foundation. I don't want the pool sticking out of the ground more than a few inches when it's all done.

This is all done by hand at this point, the mini excavator will just chew up the ground, it's not precise enough. I'm also BELOW the water table. The mini ex would sink in.

I have to be honest, this is the hardest physical labor I've ever subjected myself to. Unfortunately I pulled a muscle in my neck/shoulder area yesterday about 6 hours into it. About 24 or so wheel barrows full of saturated (heavy) dirt. Bummed that I can't get back out there today!

I'll keep posting pictures as I progress. I'll attach a couple in this post.

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I hate to be the wet noodle. I do. But you're standing in a 10 ft deep hole if the wall gives way.

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timjs said:
I'm also BELOW the water table. The mini ex would sink in.
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timjs said:
I have to go WIDER than needed because the sand walls inevitably cave in
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kimkats said:
That is not going to be fun for a while. Sad for you that your body is taking such a beating :( Any teens in the area that need a good work out and some pocket money?
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I wish I could find some help. My friends might help but I'm pretty sure they'll run outta steam 30 mins in! 😄
Newdude said:
I hate to be the wet noodle. I do. But you're standing in a 10 ft deep hole if the wall gives way.

View attachment 553662



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It looks pretty bad from that angle! I'll shoot a quick video and attach it here to address the allegations! Haha.. I'm being safe I promise.
 
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Newdude said:
Ok Phew. Only looking out for you. :)



I'm a hard hat, and as much as I hate the clipboard guy, you made me grab my clipboard. :ROFLMAO:
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Gotta keep you on your toes! Haha.. but thanks for the concern.
I'll be glad when this footing is in the ground and done. It's simultaneously both the most BORING and the most DIFFICULT part of this entire build. Can't wait till I'm stacking blocks!
 
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timjs said:
Can't wait till I'm stacking blocks!
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It will seem like more progress, but it ain't exactly 'fun'. No matter how close they get delivered, they get moved the rest of the way with one 38 lb block on each hand per trip.
 
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timjs said:
I wish I could find some help. My friends might help but I'm pretty sure they'll run outta steam 30 mins in! 😄
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I got some neighborhood HS kids to help on some of the manual labor I tackled, like hauling 15 yards of river rock 100 yards by wheelbarrow and spreading it all around the deck. My back told me it was the best money I spent. It was a lot cheaper than the landscaper wanted. Another option is to reach out to some small lawn company that focuses on mowing vs. higher end landscaping. This time of year work is slow and guys are often appreciative of the extra work.
 
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KevMo said:
I got some neighborhood HS kids to help on some of the manual labor I tackled, like hauling 15 yards of river rock 100 yards by wheelbarrow and spreading it all around the deck. My back told me it was the best money I spent. It was a lot cheaper than the landscaper wanted. Another option is to reach out to some small lawn company that focuses on mowing vs. higher end landscaping. This time of year work is slow and guys are often appreciative of the extra work.
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That's a great idea, thanks!
 
YippeeSkippy said:
Call the High School coach- football kids may want some body building if you toss a bit of cash at them?
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If it comes to it, I'm not opposed to that either!



Did more digging yesterday. It might seem like I'm not making good progress but I calculated it and it's about 2 yards of wet material I moved yesterday with a shovel. That's actually quite a lot. My back is certainly feeling it, but I want to try to work on the next section of the footing trench today since weather is nice.
 
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