6 Steps to Build Your Pool - Handbook Series
Your 6 Steps to Build Your Pool Handbook Series - continues today with digging that big hole for your pool.
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"Its only a hole" - we hear you say...
Well, there's actually a lot more to digging out a pool than most think. So before your rush off to hire a big machine, let us talk you through some of the most important information and advice on excavation.
Every year people are killed or seriously injured by collapses and falling materials while working in excavations because of Material falling from the sides into an excavation; and people or plant falling into excavations. So please be careful...
The Starting Line You only want to mark out the hole once. Line paint be easily removed and road pins knocked over. Spray out the pool with a suitable colour spray.
Setting up profile boards as far away from the dig avoids a digger and dumper knocking them and is a good datum for the entire build. Once in position the pool can be checked and marked out by one person.
Starting the dig
Start at the deep end if you have one, or furthest from the muck away pile. Check maintain safety fencing to protect others. Check the heights as you go you don't want be going back to try and excavate more.
Inspection
A competent person who fully understands the dangers and necessary precautions should inspect the excavation at the start of each shift. Excavations should also be inspected after any event that may have affected their strength or stability, or after a fall of rock or earth. A record of the inspections will be required and any faults that are found should be corrected immediately. Ensure excavations are made safe, by trench supports, battering back fencing or other equally effective measures.
Sheet the dig: You’ll need to sheet the sides of the dig, this protects the sides from rain and can prevent loose material falling into the hole. Spoil: An average 10m x 5m pool will generate 118 cubic meters of spoil. It can be a real challenge to get rid of; it’s heavy, bulky and messy, and becomes far more problematic once it’s wet. Sheeting under the piles of spoil helps to keep it dry and makes it easier to move. You can recycle the spoil it if its good top soil. By keeping it dry, it means it can be worked with straight away.
The Dig: You need to over dig a pool by 1.2m width and length from the internal pool size. This allows for the wall thickness and provides a safe working space. Making it too wide will cost you more money in back filling. If you dig the pool to deep it will cost you more in waste removal and concrete. Every 1cm you dig to deep on a 10m x 5m pool will equate to a ton of spoil or concrete. Always backfill with clean pea shingle to save any settlement around the pool. Avoid getting the machines into the hole: When it rains and your in a hole in a heavy machine, it can be hard to get in and out.
Keeping the dig dry: Keeping the dig out dry is so important. A sump Pump allows a dry working environment. It is essential if you have ground water issues.
If this has got your cogs turning and prompted a question, you'd like to ask, give us a call. No question is ever too silly to ask. Our friendly team are here to help you.
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