High Water Table Install Question

[jammerdave]

Getting ready to install a pool. The water table in my area is at 3 feet. Any thoughts on fiberglass or gunite. Have been told that fiberglass can float, but I'm sure gunite could do the same thing. Has anyone installed a pool with a water table this high. THANKS

[quantumchromodynamics]

To build any pool under those conditions, the local water table has to be pumped out until the pool is completed and full of water. It's a manageable thing if the builder knows what they are doing.

The builder will have to put well points and pumps in the area to pump out the water and keep them running until the water in the pool is higher than the normal water table.

An empty fiberglass or Gunite pool will float if the water table is high enough.

[jammerdave]

To build any pool under those conditions, the local water table has to be pumped out until the pool is completed and full of water. It's a manageable thing if the builder knows what they are doing.

The builder will have to put well points and pumps in the area to pump out the water and keep them running until the water in the pool is higher than the normal water table.

An empty fiberglass or Gunite pool will float if the water table is high enough.

Thanks for the reply, Any thoughts on which type of pool would be better in these conditions?

[quantumchromodynamics]

Tell me about your budget, and what you want for a pool.

I recommend that you retain a geotechnical engineer to do a complete geotechnical engineering study to evaluate your situation and advise you on all aspects of the project including a design for proper water management strategy.

If possible, have the pool built as high as reasonably possible to reduce the water table issue. Make sure that the well points are left available for use when the pool has to be drained again.

For a vinyl liner, avoid steel walls or anything that would rust or otherwise be affected by water.

For a concrete pool, be sure to increase the concrete thickness, rebar diameter and concrete strength rating. I would recommend 12 to 14 inches thick, 7/8- inch rebar and 7,000 psi or higher rated strength concrete.

Make sure that there is sufficient hydrostatic relief valve capacity.

Have the geotechnical engineering study include an assessment the soil conditions and determine whether or not any type of structural piers will be needed. Piers, or piles, can be installed in several different ways, such as being driven in, augured in or by drilling a hole and filling it with concrete.

Make sure that any concrete decking contains rebar and wire mesh throughout.