What Youll Need To Level The Ground
Leveling a particular area of your yard in order to install a pool isnt particularly tricky, but its a job made far easier with the right tools to hand.
Heres what youll need:
- Sod cutter or rototiller. Clearing the grass is one of the most back-breaking steps, and if you can use the right machinery to get the job done faster, my advice is to do it.
- Extended length of board and a level. As you lay the board flat on the planned pool site, itll become immediately apparent which particular areas need to be flattened out.
- Pick and a wide shovel. Removing any rocks from the site is critical to ensure no damage is done to your pool liner, and wide shovel will help you to dig out the bumps.
- Wide rake and a lawn roller. To smooth and level the sand on the site, you want a rake thats as wide as possible, then a lawn roller to compress the sand down flat.
Oh, and dont forget the desire to do a few hours of work preparing the site.
How To Level Out Your Ground With Sand For Your Above Ground Pool
After you have selected your swimming pool site, and have your sand, start moving your sand to your site, with more of it being dumped on the lower end. Again, if you have to level out more than 2″ from low to high side, you should remove soil from the higher end first! Find or construct a straight 2×4 that is 1 or 2 feet longer than your pool diameter. In our case our pool was 15 ft wide so we made a 16-foot 2×4 by attaching two 8-foot 2×4’s together with brace pieces fastened on each side as shown on the photo on the right. I used deck screws to fasten the brace pieces. Make sure your long 2×4 is straight!
Use the long 2×4 with a level on top of it to approximately level out your sand. Bring in new sand or distribute the sand as needed with a rake or shovel.
MenuDrill a 3/8″ hole exactly in the center of the 2×4 assembly as shown below. Drive a 3/8″ rod through the hole into the exact center of where your pool will be. The 2×4 will then “spin” on this rod, allowing you to perfectly level out the swimming pool area.
Start skimming off the sand, all the time with the level on top of the 2×4. This can be done alone or with two people. Pull the 2×4 toward you so as to fill in the area disturbed where you are kneeling. If there is a void, shovel on some more sand. If there is a great excess, rake the sand off to the side. In a fairly short time, you will have a perfectly leveled out swimming pool area! Watch The Video!
The Structure Will Be Weak And Compromised
The other significant risk with an uneven pool is the added pressure it places on particular sections of your pool liner and wall. Because the weight is not distributed evenly on all sides, it can cause the walls to buckle, twist and even break.
In a worst-case scenario, the damaged section of the wall will just give out, and your pool will be destroyed. This can send a flood of water through your yard, putting swimmers and anyone who happens to be nearby at risk of injury.
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Should I Drain The Water
As we just discussed, you should drain the water at least halfway to make it easier for you to pry the walls up. Most of the time, it is not necessary to completely drain all the water out of your pool unless it is severely unlevel.
Severely unlevel pools need to be drained and completely taken down to relevel them.
Draining at least half of the water and repositioning your leveling blocks will protect your pool from wall and water level problems. However, if you have issues with your liner, you may want to consider completely draining the pool.
Pool liners with wrinkles or divots in them can rip or tear. You can try smoothing them out with your hands and feet in a half-drained pool. You can also consider using a clean plunger to plunge either side of the wrinkle until it is removed.
That said, most of the time, you need to drain your pool to at least 1 to 4 inches of water and then take your time to smooth out the liner. Make sure to pull it tight to either side of the pool. If you notice rocks or severe divots in the liner, you should consider taking your pool down and properly leveling the ground before putting it back up.
Pool Liners Get Damaged
Pool liners, if laid out properly, follow the grounds surface where they are placed. If the liner is placed on uneven or unlevel ground, it will feature noticeable wrinkles and folds that can easily get caught or snag on the pool equipment. This can lead to tears on the pool liner itself, resulting in leaks.
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Once You Are Ready Use The Following Steps To Balance It
As of the moment, your pool is under major strain. Thus, for each of the following steps, move slowly. A single wrong move would leave you with the equivalent of a broken levee. It would be best to avoid such things.
1. Determine the Exact Variance:
From the beginning, youll want to know how much to compensate. Otherwise, it is like you are playing a game in the dark. When the lights are out, accuracy is out of the question. Without the right data, any approach you make will be approximate at best. From our perspective, such an intrepid endeavor may seem noble. Still, it tends to produce lackluster results. In the end, those are what matter the most.
2. Compensate for the Discrepancy :
Following that, you can start to lift the pool. Since there is so much weight on the wall, this is a vital step. Using multiple points of contact, lift the lowered section of the wall. That way, it is level with the rest of your pool. Unless the pool is fixed entirely, then your work is far from over. Until your balances air bubbles rest in the center, you must soldier on. Luckily, in most instances, things are that difficult. Plus, once you have done this, it will be far simpler the next time. That way, you can help your friend when they find themselves in your shoes.
3. Create a Solid Support Base:
We hope our guide on how to level an above ground pool with water in it has been helpful to you. Remember to use help, be safe, and call an expert when needed. Happy swimming!
What Tools Will You Need
Of course, to move forward, youll have to ascertain the appropriate equipment. Without that, youll be at an impasse. Unfortunately, this will require a little more than your bare hands. Still, it is a relatively low complexity project.
- Blocks:Usually, people tend to use cinder blocks. However, anything that can support the weight of the pool evenly should suffice. As long as you can raise the pool, these need to support the weight.
- Level:Most likely, youve seen a few of these in your lifetime. They have a small bubble of air inside something similar to a ruler. With these, you can determine if something is flat. If not, youll have a visual guide to just how far off-balance things are.
- Jack or Lift:Finally, unless you have help, youll need a jack. These let you lift the pool. Then, you can slide the brick underneath. That way, you dont have to put yourself in two places at the same time.
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The Pool Will Just Look Wrong
Ive seen my share of uneven pools, and its immediately noticeable. Like a glass balancing off center, when the water is not close to being level in your pool its a real sorry sight.
You can immediately see one side is lower than the other, and you can bet everyone else who comes to your yard and sees your pool will think the same way.
How To Level Ground For Above Ground Pool
Unleveled ground is a big no-no for above ground pools. Well teach you step by step how to level ground for above ground pool, as well as the things you need.
How To Level Ground For Above Ground Pool | Pad Outdoor
There will be times when your above ground pool may getlopsided because the ground underneath sank.
This is usually due to rainy weather, drainage problems, andother things. Should this happen to you, you need to balance the ground rightaway because the pressure of your above ground pool will move to just one side.When this happens, your pool will eventually break down.
Thats why well teach you how to level ground for above ground pool in just a few steps.
Contents
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Lay Down The Base Protector
Once you have a solid foundation of levelled out sand, you can start to lay down the base layer.
We recommend a specialised pool pad this usually entails a large layer of foam or tarp that will sit under the swimming pool, adding another layer of protection.
The addition of a base layer will lower the risks of puncturing the liner, help to insulate the pool and prevent heat loss. At an absolute minimum, its recommended to lay down a sheet of tarp.
How To Level Ground For A Pool Like A Pro
Every summer, when youd look outside your window, you crave a swimming pool sitting in the heart of your yard where you can have a warm bath and enjoy the hot afternoon with your family.
Youve tried everything. But it looks like theres never going to be a possibility of a pool there because of the uneven terrain.
No! No! No! Theres a solution. In this article, Im going to walk you through the whole process of how to level ground for a pool. And trust what youre going to read because after reading this article, youll heed the call to invest in an above ground pool.
You and your kids will enjoy this summer like never before. But first, understanding how to level the ground for a pool and why you should level ground for your pool is a crucial one on this journey.
Its one of the requirements for your pool, so its important that you know why such a step is vital.
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How Level The Pool Should Be
An expert on installing a pool will tell you that they can do everything to keep your facility as level as possible. It is easy to obtain when installing an above-ground pool.
In spite of having all the knowledge and the right tools, it can be a hard task to get it level. The right level of the pool is within inches. A pool with the right level is safer and will last for many years. It is thus vital that your already up above ground pool is leveled.
What Is A Gorilla Pad For Pool
Gorilla Pads are pre-cut floor pads designed to protect and cushion the bottom of above ground pools. Unlike old pool foam padding, which can be easily be cut or pierced by grass, roots, or rocks under your above ground pool liner, Gorilla Bottom pool floor padding is impervious to almost any sharp object.
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When The Pool Level Is Severely Off
Suppose the pool was more than a few degrees from perfectly flat. If that is the case, then things are more complicated. Since the pool is so tilted, the water is concentrating in one area. Thus, it will be far heavier for you to lift. Plus, on top of that, the wall is far more likely to break. While you move it, extreme caution is advised. Otherwise, you might be looking for a replacement sooner than expected.
How To Level An Above Ground Pool With Water In It: A Comprehensive Guide
Have you been wondering how to level your above ground pool that is already up and has water in it?
If so, then you are in the right place!
When you have an above-ground pool with water in it, there are a few additional concerns to keep in mind, otherwise, that precious investment could get permanently damaged. From our perspective, it would be best to avoid such a tragedy and make sure you are properly leveling your above ground pool with water in it.
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Can You Use Dirt To Level A Pool
Dirt that’s tamped will not settle or move around. In other words, you’re making a nice strong base for your pool, so don’t skimp on this step. Use your level to check for high points and tamp those areas down extra firm. Use the beck of rake to spread dirt and move from higher areas to lower areas.
Fix The Bumps And Holes
Id recommend digging into the ground to get it level, its actually better to remove the bumps in the dirt as opposed to adding more, as it helps create a more stable base.
Dont be afraid to dig down, its a good rule of thumb to sink your pool at least two inches down into the soil, as youll be topping it off with sand once youve got the base flat.
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Placing Sand On Unlevel Ground
The sand is meant to be a protective layer for your pool, not a leveling layer. It should be placed on ground that has already been leveled otherwise, you will see many leveling problems down the road as the sand settles.
Also, there will not be an even amount of sand protecting the pool floor from the rocks and debris below. Some spots could have less than an inch, while others have more than two.
Check Your Zoning And Find The Right Place In Your Yard
If your yard is large enough, this might mean that you have some options as far as placement for your pool.
Think carefully about the placement of your pool. If you want to change the location of your pool, youre in store for a world of headaches.
Consider how close the location would be to your house, your fencing, and your property lines, and the placement will interferes with other activities done on your lawn.
In most areas, your pool edge must be installed a certain distance from your property lines, usually somewhere between 8-15 depending on your local county or city rules and your residential zoning.
Your residential zoning can change from neighborhood to neighborhood so dont just copy whatever your relatives across town did.
You need to know the rules for YOUR specific property.
So make sure to check what residential zone you live in and what the rules are for your specific property.
If you have a rather large property and your pool will be nowhere near your property lines, this wont matter as much. But if your lot is on the smaller side, you will need to take head.
You dont want to finish installing, building, and filling that 10,000 gallon pool only to have a county inspector stop by and tell you you need to move it over 5!
If you are buying your above ground pool from a local pool supplier, they should have some experience with these rules and be able to point you to the right resources to find out all the answers.
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Can The Ground Be Leveled After The Pool Has Water In It
While not impossible, its exceptionally difficult to level the ground under an above ground pool after it is already filled with water. For starters, you have to drain the swimming pool until its nearly empty. Attempting to level a pool filled with water is not only nearly impossible, but its also exceptionally dangerous. If something happens and the wall of the pool is punctured in the process, a lot of water is going to come pouring out and that can cause significant injuries and damage your property.
How To Level An Above Ground Pool With Water In It
If you are looking for a quick fix to level your above ground pool, there is no easy solution. There are many DIY solutions that can help you level your pool and we will discuss them in this blog post. The first thing we need to do is ensure that the water level is at the same height on all sides of the pool, otherwise it will never stay leveled!
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When Should I Consider Levelling The Pool
Even if you avoid an uneven pool designs unpleasant look, you can not avoid the unbalanced water level on your pool. Additionally, it is dangerous to use such pools as even a single stone can make things worse for you. There are many instances where the pools structure is damaged due to the displacement of a stone or stakes.
That is why manufacturers of these pools provide clear instructions to set them up on leveled floor or ground. If you avoid your grounds unevenness, you can not enjoy a balanced water level in your pool.
Ready To Splurge On An Above Ground Pool
Are you convinced that an above ground pool will make the perfect addition to your back yard? Check out our picks for the best above ground pools to buy right now. Then, after your above ground pool is installed, make sure to fit it with the best above ground pool lights to make swimming at night safe, and/or solar-powered pool heaters to make winter swims possible.
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