---
title: Fiberglass Pool Installation | Crushed/Chipped Stone Backfill Material
description: The use of clean, crushed stone backfill is imperative to the long-term success of a fiberglass pool installation.
---

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# Crushed/Chipped Stone Backfill Material

[ 1.  Stone & Foundation Backfill ** ](https://www.riverpoolsandspas.com/installation-crushed-chipped-stone-backfill-material)

[ 2.  40 PVC Hard Pipe ** ](https://www.riverpoolsandspas.com/installation-all-schedule-40-pvc-hard-pipe)

[ 3.  Plumbing Straps ** ](https://www.riverpoolsandspas.com/installation-plumbing-straps)

[ 4.  River Rod ** ](https://www.riverpoolsandspas.com/installation-rhino-rod)

[ 5.  Plumbing Encased in Stone ** ](https://www.riverpoolsandspas.com/installation-plumbing-encased-in-stone)

[ 6.  12" Concrete Collar ** ](https://www.riverpoolsandspas.com/installation-concrete-bond-beam)

[ 7.  8" Dewatering Pipe ** ](https://www.riverpoolsandspas.com/installation-sump-pipe)

![](https://www.riverpoolsandspas.com/hubfs/Stone-and-Foundation-Backfill.png)

[** ![How-Much-Backfill-Is-Needed-for-a-Fiberglass-Pool](https://www.riverpoolsandspas.com/hs-fs/hubfs/How-Much-Backfill-Is-Needed-for-a-Fiberglass-Pool-Video.jpg?width=1390&name=How-Much-Backfill-Is-Needed-for-a-Fiberglass-Pool-Video.jpg "How-Much-Backfill-Is-Needed-for-a-Fiberglass-Pool") ](https://www.youtube.com/embed/1bPFGC7G6oM?rel=0&autoplay=1)

 How Much Backfill Is Needed for a Fiberglass Pool?

What is backfill material?

It is simply the **material** that we place **under the pool** and a**round the outside of the pool shell** after it is set in the excavated hole.

The use of** clean, crushed stone backfill** is imperative to the long-term success of a fiberglass pool installation.

Sand is the traditional material used in the industry, and it works well in areas with pure sandy soils. But it doesn’t take a soil specialist to understand what happens to sand when it becomes saturated with water: it **liquifies**.

Consequently, we've experienced a much higher percentage of fiberglass pool installation issues when using sand as a backfill material:

- The pool shell **settles** after installation
- **Leaks** develop from pressure on plumbing as a result of sand settlement
- The side walls of the pool shell **bulge**

These are challenges we faced and fixed early on, but they virtually **went away overnight** the moment we stopped using sand and began using clean, crushed stone as our backfill material.

The plumbing is encased in stone as well, which **prevents plumbing settlement.**

Unlike sand, the right stone backfill **will not move or settle**. This creates a condition for long-term plumbing success.

It **drains better**, it **doesn't move**, and **doesn’t change its properties when wet**.

**Related Content:**

- [7 Deadly Sins of Fiberglass Pool Installations](https://www.riverpoolsandspas.com/blog/7-deadly-sins-of-fiberglass-pool-installations)
- [How Much and What Type of Stone Is Needed for a Fiberglass Pool Installation?](https://www.riverpoolsandspas.com/blog/how-much-and-what-type-gravel-fiberglass-pool-installation)
- [Installing a Fiberglass Pool Properly: Sand vs Stone, Which Is Better?](https://www.riverpoolsandspas.com/blog/installing-fiberglass-pool-on-sand-vs-gravel)
- [How To Prevent A Nightmare With Your Swimming Pool Project](https://www.riverpoolsandspas.com/blog/how-to-prevent-a-nightmare-with-pool-installation-project)

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