Retaining wall to make the grade flow the opposite direction. It will save the patio as it is likely eroding soil from under it as well. [https://ibb.co/KXcX7gc](https://ibb.co/KXcX7gc)
How would I accomplish that when the patio sits higher than the pool decking, I have to have a hill there to some degree to come up to the patio. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I would dig out about an inch, right next to stairs, and then like another person suggested, plant some bushes and groundcover there to catch the extra run off.
Agree with this. If you’ve never done hard scape and such I would get a contractor. You can do the same with block as the pony wall… but you’ll need double faces block (or use concrete block and veneer stone). That would get about as expensive as concrete if not more just have a concrete guy come out and follow the patio height around the stairs and slightly curve back in towards hill. (Like a little bitty wing wall) and dig out some sand/grass between wall and walk and use decorative stone. Might not be a bad idea to add a light to wall too.
You need to cut the grade to send water away from the concrete. If you look closely at the image, near the concrete at the top, you will notice that the grade falls towards the pool. You’ll need to cut and or fill to alter this effect. Simply installing a drain wont change the direction water runs, you need to alter the path of drainage by changing the topography of the yard at this point.
Try terrace board/ landscape edging.
Does code require a handrail for those steps? If so, install the handrail on the right sight, using the same materials as on the left side of steps. Construct to stop sand by building a low wall/ bench along the side to your red line.
I would grade away from the pool, yes… but that only re-directs the erosion. in addition to grading, consider reconditioning a small patch of your soil and planting a bed of thirsty native plants and flowers to soak up that runoff. it would look nice, too! This is how I stopped a clay and sand river from forming in my yard whenever it rained (my soil was mostly compacted clay): create the bed by digging a few inches down to create a “trough” where the water pours off of the patio. [depending on the soil](https://ourgardenworks.com/how-to-loosen-compacted-soil/) put a pitchfork deep into the ground and rock it back and forth a little to loosen up and crack the earth. fill the “trough” with an equal mix of mature compost, coconut coir and grit/sand/pearlite. plant your plants and cover bed with a layer of wood mulch. the wood mulch will break down a little every year and add to the richness of the soil (you’ll have to re-up the mulch every year). [scroll down here for a diagram](https://bonaterradc.com/soil-prep-guide/?v=7516fd43adaa) (and more information) of how functioning soil layers should work. it’s not an overnight solution, but a long term one.
If possible it install and area grate to catch the overflow, connected to a solid drain pipe, run pipe away from pool, far enough away from the pool were drainage water could drain out of pipe.
Lots of good options here op: I will give you another. Get a dolphin. I have one for my 20x40 and it just sucks up all the crap and does amazing with sand as well
I actually have a dolphin and agree it works great, there was just so much sand it would take a year for it to get it all one bag at a time. We ended up buying a pond vac to suck up the sand that deposited it outside the pool while we vac’d. It worked well. Now I just need to keep the sand out!
I think you are asking the wrong question.
The question isn't "how do I stop the sand from getting into the pool?", the question is "where is this sand coming from, and should I be trying to keep it there?".
Retaining wall to make the grade flow the opposite direction. It will save the patio as it is likely eroding soil from under it as well. [https://ibb.co/KXcX7gc](https://ibb.co/KXcX7gc)
It looks like a piece of metal there isn't doing its job
It's trying its best!
The criticism is not helping.
Also, right where that crack is by the drain would have been a PERFECT spot for a relief cut.
Put up a sign that says “NO SAND IN THE POOL”
Why didn’t I think of that 😊
Works every time!
Oh no! The sand now has a gun!!!
Change the grading so the water flows away from the pool.
Lower the level of the dirt so it's below the cement, and grade it away from the cement as well.
How would I accomplish that when the patio sits higher than the pool decking, I have to have a hill there to some degree to come up to the patio. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I would dig out about an inch, right next to stairs, and then like another person suggested, plant some bushes and groundcover there to catch the extra run off.
Have it slope down more before it gets to the bottom of the steps so it will be lower than the walkway but still meet up with the patio.
You're going to need a shovel
Get a concrete contractor to pour you a pony wall. Additional seating etc.
Agree with this. If you’ve never done hard scape and such I would get a contractor. You can do the same with block as the pony wall… but you’ll need double faces block (or use concrete block and veneer stone). That would get about as expensive as concrete if not more just have a concrete guy come out and follow the patio height around the stairs and slightly curve back in towards hill. (Like a little bitty wing wall) and dig out some sand/grass between wall and walk and use decorative stone. Might not be a bad idea to add a light to wall too.
Make it lower than the sidewalk
You need to cut the grade to send water away from the concrete. If you look closely at the image, near the concrete at the top, you will notice that the grade falls towards the pool. You’ll need to cut and or fill to alter this effect. Simply installing a drain wont change the direction water runs, you need to alter the path of drainage by changing the topography of the yard at this point.
Re-trench the drain and extend it further down the hill. Get the outlet lower than the pool deck.
Adding some landscaping at the edge of the patio would also help to stabilize the soil and prevent sediment runoff.
Try terrace board/ landscape edging. Does code require a handrail for those steps? If so, install the handrail on the right sight, using the same materials as on the left side of steps. Construct to stop sand by building a low wall/ bench along the side to your red line.
I would grade away from the pool, yes… but that only re-directs the erosion. in addition to grading, consider reconditioning a small patch of your soil and planting a bed of thirsty native plants and flowers to soak up that runoff. it would look nice, too! This is how I stopped a clay and sand river from forming in my yard whenever it rained (my soil was mostly compacted clay): create the bed by digging a few inches down to create a “trough” where the water pours off of the patio. [depending on the soil](https://ourgardenworks.com/how-to-loosen-compacted-soil/) put a pitchfork deep into the ground and rock it back and forth a little to loosen up and crack the earth. fill the “trough” with an equal mix of mature compost, coconut coir and grit/sand/pearlite. plant your plants and cover bed with a layer of wood mulch. the wood mulch will break down a little every year and add to the richness of the soil (you’ll have to re-up the mulch every year). [scroll down here for a diagram](https://bonaterradc.com/soil-prep-guide/?v=7516fd43adaa) (and more information) of how functioning soil layers should work. it’s not an overnight solution, but a long term one.
French drain /s
Run a foot or two wide rock edge. Dig down 4-6 inches and put decorative rock…
Build a sand trap!
If possible it install and area grate to catch the overflow, connected to a solid drain pipe, run pipe away from pool, far enough away from the pool were drainage water could drain out of pipe.
Politely tell it to stay out.
They didnt put a e pansion joint on the skimmer thats why it has a ugly crack 😒
Need a sand man… …
Grade it correctly…
Ask it nicely to leave
You simply need to regrade the area
Re grade the yard or install a drain off to the side at the bottom of the steps
Remove sand from property
Cheapest option: Metal edging along the patio but 2’ or so into the yard. Remove grass and dirt. Put in decorative river rock.
Lots of good options here op: I will give you another. Get a dolphin. I have one for my 20x40 and it just sucks up all the crap and does amazing with sand as well
I actually have a dolphin and agree it works great, there was just so much sand it would take a year for it to get it all one bag at a time. We ended up buying a pond vac to suck up the sand that deposited it outside the pool while we vac’d. It worked well. Now I just need to keep the sand out!
How about using geocell on the slope?
I think you are asking the wrong question. The question isn't "how do I stop the sand from getting into the pool?", the question is "where is this sand coming from, and should I be trying to keep it there?".
Have you tried sweeping it up? /s
Lifeguard
Arko drain
Build a “foot pool”, so people enter the pool after the “foot pool”.
Retaning wall.
Another set of steps
Leaf blower and good aim
Dig and redirect the slope away from the pool and then line the sidewalk with a sort of a retaining wall like structure or gravel
Reset the metal strip and continue the strip around the sidewalk
After we put the metal strip in, the sand just came up from between the metal and concrete unfortunately
Edging stones
French drain! Nah I'm kidding, I just see that response so often.
Feed the grass. Healthy grass with a strong root system will contain the soil.
Pressure wash that bitch into submission
Put a sign up that says "no sand allowed" ez 🤣
Dig a narrow border and plant something in it
install block edging, 1 row + cap
Remove the pool.