Dear Washington Rock is a new blog series in which people ask our representative, The Rock, questions about which materials to use for their projects. If you’re interested in having your question answered, drop us a line.
Dear Washington Rock: I am a homeowner that will be installing an in-ground vinyl pool this summer.
I dug an area around the pool where I will install bracing material for the pool walls. Sonotubes are integrated into the pool bracing to support the pool deck.
I need about 15 yards of backfill material to fill this area after everything is put together. The material has to be non-expansive and is better if it drains well. Most manufacturers suggest rock or sand. What product would you suggest?
—Pool Prepping in Tacoma
Dear Pool Prepping: Sounds like you’re looking for a clean, sand-type material. I would suggest using our utility sand for your project. It is a clean, inexpensive, and sound product.
Our washed utility sand is a coarse sand made at King Creek Pit (product code 910-3). It contains a mix of sand and small pebbles up to 4.75 millimeters in size. This mix compacts but also provides adequate drainage, making it a great pipe bedding material.
—The Rock
For more information about Washington Rock’s sand products, visit our Sand Products page.