IMPORTANT: The accuracy of the excavation will
determine the number of bags of Pool-Krete needed for the job. If the hole is cut too deep
or too large the requirements will increase.
NOTE: After excavation, the bottom and hopper wall
should be fine graded with a shovel to the line and raked free of excess loose dirt. Loose
dirt and rocks should be removed. Do not tamp or attempt to pack loose debris as this will
result in a non-suitable base for the pool-Krete and will encourage erosion of the bottom
or sides.
BENEFIT: Pool-Krete properly installed will outlast
packed sand or sand/cement bottoms due to its high adhesion characteristics which prevents
wash-outs and liner abuse due to abrasions.
Any recesses left by over digging or rock removal should be
dry-packed with Pool-Krete and allowed to stiffen before the bottom is installed.
Conditions To Observe Before Installation
Moisture in the Excavation
Extremely wet hopper walls and bottom resulting from recent
rainfall should force postponement of the Pool-Krete installation for at least a day or
until the walls dry out. Pool-Krete will not adhere properly to mud. The adhesion of
Pool-Krete will not be adversely affected if the walls or bottom are merely moist.
NOTE: Installation of Pool-Krete on extremely hot days
can be simplified by slightly wetting down hopper walls and bottom with a gently mist.
This will prevent the dry dirt from absorbing moisture out of the Pool-Krete too quickly.
This practice will minimize cracking and insure proper setting up.
Hopper Wall Seepage
Pool installation in geographical areas where water seepage
is observed to be a problem can be remedied and controlled. Seepage occurring where the
hopper walls converge can be controlled by digging a trench approximately 6" wide by
6" deep into the wall; filling 1-¼" washed gravel; covering with
visqueen,
polyethylene or empty Pool-Krete bags; then dry-packing with Pool-Krete. After Pool-Krete
has stiffened, installation of the Pool-Krete onto the hopper walls can proceed.
Hopper Bottom Seepage
This problem will not go away unattended. One
recommendation is to excavate the hopper bottom a foot or so deeper that specifications
require; spread approximately 4" of washed gravel in to the bottom; install a small
sump pump on top of the gravel with a flexible drain hose inserted up through the trench
outlined in illustration 2; and backfill the bottom with an additional 8" of washed
gravel. Cover the bottom with visqueen and then proceed with Pool-Krete installation. The
drain hose mentioned above should extend out of the pool area, as a permanent fixture and
should be plugged after the removal of the ground water, subsequently used again if the
need arises.
Pump should continue to run removing all water after
installation of Pool-Krete and until liner is installed and pool filled with water to the
level of the wall panel bottoms. Only then should the pump be shut off.
If seepage occurs across one or more of the hopper walls,
the following recommendation can be used. Repeat steps as outlined below and above. In
addition, add a horizontal trench connecting into the above, (see Illustration 2) as well
as vertical trench running from the middle of the horizontal trench into the hopper. This
procedure should be repeated for each wall where seepage is observed.
Mud in Hopper Bottom
A muddy condition in the hopper bottom resulting from
rainfall can be remedied by working hydrated lime into the problem area at a rate of 100
lbs. Per nine square feet. After stiffening, Pool-Krete installation can proceed. This
procedure will be more effective and less costly than simply adding dry Pool-Krete to the
muddy areas.
Rain During Installation
Although Pool-Krete should not be used during rain, there
will be occasions when the weather simply rolls in quickly during installation. If
possible, cover the pool area with polyethylene. A light mist will generally not affect
the Pool-Krete. Large drops of heavy rainfall, however, will cause the wet Pool-Krete to
pockmark or even wash out.
Helpful Hint: Pool-Krete that has pockmarked can be
easily repaired by first sweeping the surface lightly, removing the irregularities and
then with plaster-wet Pool-Krete mix, lightly trowel over the affected areas with a thin
topcoat. This will restore the bottom to its intended surface texture.
Mixing
Mortar Mixer
A conventional mortar mixer five cubic feet capacity or
larger can be used to mix Pool-Krete with water. Naturally, the larger the mixer the
larger the batch. Approximately five to six gallons of water should be poured first into
the mixer followed by a bag of Pool-Krete.
Helpful Hint: Weather conditions will dictate the
amount of water needed to properly mix one bag of Pool-Krete. Hot, windy conditions will
dry out the Pool-Krete faster than will cool cloudy conditions. An additional two to three
quarts per bag may be necessary on a hot sunny day. The extra water will allow easier
troweling and minimize cracking of the Pool-Krete.
Hairline cracks can be expected to occur using any
cement-based product and should not cause alarm. Stress cracks can be caused by too rapid
hydration and if desired can be cosmetically eliminated by lightly troweling some dry
Pool-Krete over the affected area.
Mixing Time
After the Pool-Krete has been added to the water, mixing
time should not exceed two minutes. Mixing should continue until all dry pockets of
Pool-Krete have disappeared into a wet, uniform consistency. Overmixing will cause the
vermiculite particles to break down and can result in troweling problems.
Benefit: The vermiculite in Pool-Krete provides the
porosity necessary in a lightweight concrete. This porosity is a primary benefit to the
hard bottom as it is responsible for allowing water to pass through during periods of
rising water tables. In an empty pool, the water will pass through the hard bottom and
unseat the liner. As the water table recedes, the water in the pool will reverse its
passage down through the Pool-Crete hard bottom. This important benefit is an advantage
over other types of pool bottoms since it prevents shifting, wash out, cracking and
expensive bottom repair.
Pool-Krete Mixer and Pump
This specialized piece of equipment used by builders who
annually install high volumes of pools adds speed, efficiency, and further consistency to
the installation of hard bottoms. With the pump and 75’ hose, the Pool-Krete can be
placed accurately into the pool without wheelbarrows and buckets. Labor saving speed is
the key factor when using a Pool-Krete mixer is the contra-blend paddles used to mix the
Pool-Krete and water.
Unlike a mortar mixer, the Pool-Krete machine folds the
mixture gently without degrading the vermiculite particles. Mixing time, however, should
not exceed 1-½ minutes.
Benefit: Yields from a batch of Pool-Krete in this
machine will increase dramatically as a result of the specially designed paddles.
After mixing, the Pool-Krete should be discharged out of
the mortar mixer (if used) into a mortar box or wheelbarrow. After discharge, it is
important to repeat the first step of adding water to the mixer for the next batch
regardless of the time interval between batches. This will prevent any leftover material
from adhering to the paddles or mixer causing unnecessary clean up or down time.
Helpful Hint: For ease of installation, one
recommendation is to set up the mortar mixer at on corner of the shallow end. This can be
accomplished by backfilling the selected corner with dirt. Setting the mixer close to the
pool wall allows the Pool-Krete to be discharged over the wall to a waiting wheelbarrow,
resulting in time savings and eliminating excessive moves of the mixing operation as the
installation proceeds into the shallow end.
Helpful Hint: When setting up the mixing operation on
the outside corner of the pool, drape a sheet of polyethylene over the pool wall to avoid
splattering of the Pool-Krete. This will eliminate any extra clean up.
Placement of Pool-Krete
Prior to the placement of the Pool-Krete, form a dam on the
outside of the pool wall to fill any large gaps between the bottom of the pool wall panels
and the ground. This can be accomplished with either the concrete footing used to anchor
the wall braces or packed backfill. (See Illustration 3)
Helpful Hint: The 55-gallon drum recommended allows the
mixer operator a continuous and amply supply of water not always available through a
common garden hose. Prior to beginning the hard bottom installation, the operator should
have a batch mixing and another already in the wheelbarrow. This will allow the mixer
operator to work slightly ahead of the troweling operation.
Installation technique can vary, but one recommendation is
to start in the hopper and work toward the shallow end. When installing by this method,
begin by applying the Pool-Krete to the vertical areas where the hopper walls join. (See
Illustration 2) Work from the top to avoid reaching over in-place Pool-Krete or
accidentally sliding dirt over the trowled areas. The Pool-Krete should be trowled 1
1/2" X 2" onto the pool wall panels and gently tapered down onto the top of the
hopper wall. (See Illustration 3)
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Helpful Hint: On particularly hot days, troweling can
be made easier by dipping the trowel into a water bucket kept nearby.
Helpful Hint: The angles created by the joining of the
sloped hopper walls should be as sharp and as well defined as possible. Avoid creating a
radius at these junctures as it could result in liner wrinkles.
After connecting all the hopper walls, complete the hopper
bottom and work toward the shallow end, placing the Pool-Krete first on either side and
working toward the middle of the slope.
Helpful Hint: The placement of 2" by 2" wood
stringers halfway up the hopper wall, parallel to the pool bottom, will allow for accurate
placement of desired Pool-Krete thickness assuring the builder straight slopes.
Installation of Liner
The vinyl liner may be installed immediately upon
completion of the Pool-Krete hard bottom; however, it is recommended that there be no
traffic in the pool until the Pool-Krete has had sufficient opportunity to harden. This
period will normally be two days depending up temperature. Traffic in the pool prior to
sufficient hardening will result in unsightly indentations, which serve as collection
points for dirt, which serve as collection points for dirt and potential algae. The pool,
however, may be filled immediately after liner installation.
Pool-Krete Usage Chart
This chart represents the typical number of bags of
Pool-Krete Premix needed for various types of pool kits. Usage will vary depending on soil
types and individual builders, but this table will provide a rough guide for supplying the
proper amount of Pool-Krete for different size and type pool kits. |
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