I've had a similar setup for about three years now, and honestly, the sand shifting hasn't been much of an issue. I did tamp down each layer pretty thoroughly when I built mine, which seemed to help a lot. Sure, after really heavy rains, I've noticed minor settling here and there, but nothing major enough to cause unevenness or instability. If you're worried about it, you might consider edging the area with some bricks or stones—just something simple to hold everything in place. But honestly, from what you've described, it sounds like you've done your homework and set things up thoughtfully. I'd say give it some time and see how it holds up through a few seasons...you might be pleasantly surprised how stable it stays.
I've seen setups like yours hold up pretty well, but honestly, stability can vary a lot depending on soil type and drainage. My own pit settled unevenly after a year, even with thorough tamping. Just keep an eye on it after heavy rains...better safe than sorry.
Your setup looks thoughtfully done, and honestly, even the best-planned pits can shift a bit over time. I've seen a few projects settle slightly after the first year, especially in areas with clay-heavy soil. But as long as you're mindful after heavy weather and address any minor shifts early, it should stay safe and functional. Keeping an eye out like you're doing already puts you ahead of most people...so don't stress too much.
Good points above, especially about clay soil—seen that cause headaches more than once. A couple quick thoughts:
- Did you put down a gravel or sand base underneath? That can help with drainage and minimize shifting.
- Also curious if you used any kind of retaining wall blocks or just stacked stones? I've noticed retaining blocks tend to hold up better over time.
Either way, sounds like you're already ahead by keeping an eye on it.
I built one a couple years back and skipped the gravel base initially—big mistake. Had some shifting after the first rainy season. Ended up redoing it with gravel underneath and proper retaining blocks, hasn't budged since. Definitely worth the extra effort upfront...
