how do you know if ground is level for pool

How do you know if ground is level for pool?

• Hammer a metal stake where the center of the pool will be.
• Tie a length of string about 6-inches longer than the radius of the pool to the stake.
• Remove all grass, sod and other vegetation from the marked pool area with shovels or a powered sod cutter.

Full Answer

How do I level the ground for a pool?

Choose the flattest area in the yard for an easier time leveling the ground. Avoid places in the yard with large trees, as the leaves could clog up the pool. Ensure the area is at least 6 feet away from any receptacles or large obstacles. Avoid leveling the ground for a pool near any septic lines, power lines, or cables.

What happens if an above ground pool is not level?

If an above ground pool is not level, the water’s weight can cause damage to the walls and liner. As a result, your pool will collapse, potentially causing property damage or personal injury. Properly leveling your pool can be tricky, so can fixing your unlevel pool.

How much should the water level be in a swimming pool?

Therefore, it should be between ¼ and ½ inch level in order to be pleasing to the eye. The pool level can be up to 2 ½ inches off without being structurally damaging, although it will be obvious that the water level is off. Anything that is off by 3-inches or more is dangerous and needs to be fixed right away.

How do you measure the area around a swimming pool?

Mark off an area with a diameter 2 feet (61 cm) larger than your pool. Once you’ve chosen a suitable spot, place a stake in the ground at its center. Divide your pool’s diameter by 2 to find its radius, then add 1 foot (30 cm) to the radius.

How do I make sure ground is level for pool?

STEP 1: Determine your location and remove any large rocks or debris. ... STEP 2: Place 2x4s on the site and place a level on top. ... STEP 3: Add or take away soil until the ground is level. ... STEP 4: Repeat the process until the entire area is flat. ... STEP 5: Rake any remaining rocks or debris and tamp the ground.More items...•

What happens if ground is not level for pool?

The water will press with more force on one section of the pool than the others. This uneven weight distribution can buckle, twist or even collapse the pool wall, resulting in property damage and injury to anyone in or around the pool when it fails.

Does my pool have to be completely level?

The pool will twist, buckle, or even collapse, causing property damage and injury to anyone in or around the pool. Also, the inflatable ring pools are more likely to fold under the force and blow out causing major damage and a safety hazard. Even the most well-constructed pool can fail if the leveling is off.

Does an above ground pool have to be perfectly level?

An above ground pool needs to be setup on level ground. Manufactures typically state a pool should be level within an inch, while those who are OCD may try to do even better. An above ground pool that is off level by 3 inches or more is unsafe.

Can I put a pool on uneven ground?

Installing a pool on uneven ground creates a safety hazard. You'll end up with a shallow and a deep end, which can be dangerous to smaller children if they cannot touch the bottom.

How do I level my ground for a pool without sand?

There is an easy way to do this. Screw two 2-by-4 boards together alongside each other so they are one or two feet longer than the diameter of your pool. Next, lay the attached boards on the ground where the pool will be and put a level on top. Slowly lift and lower one side of the 2-by-4s until it shows level.

Can your pool overflow from rain?

The pool will only overflow by the amount of rain in excess of the amount of rain needed to fill the pool to the top. So if your pool is the normal 3” below the top, the rain would need to exceed 3” before any additional rain would be available to overflow onto the deck.

How do you level the ground for a pool on a slope?

1:383:32Level Ground for a Pool - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou'll need to dig away these area in order to create level ground for the pool. Dig away soil.MoreYou'll need to dig away these area in order to create level ground for the pool. Dig away soil. Instead of building up low patches. Always dig away slopes.

Why Pools Need a Level Base

If you landed on this article, you likely have an above-ground pool. And you likely spent a pretty penny on it. Leveling the ground evens the load on the sides and prevents an off-kilter pool from causing damage to your yard and home.

How to Level Ground for a Pool

How to level ground for pool is pretty straightforward if you know the steps to take. Here’s how to go about it.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can combine crushed stone or crushed limestone and mason sand to level the ground without digging. First, you need to achieve anywhere between one to two-inch levelness using the crushed stone. Next, use the sand to flatten out the ground further.

How Do You Level Ground for a Pool?

There you have it: how to level ground for pool in nine simple steps. Some of these might seem unnecessary, but you made a big investment in your pool, and skipping any of these can cause property damage or injury.

How to Level Ground for Pool: The Best Way to Do It

How to level ground for pool? Here’s everything you need to know about leveling ground for a pool to make sure you get it right. Learn how to measure the area, level the area, and learn the best tools to do the job.

Different Alternatives on How to Level Ground for Pool

If you’re wondering how to level land for a pool without digging, this may be the perfect option for you. It happens to be the most cost-effective method of balancing the ground for the pool. It is far easier to level the sand than it is to level the soil.

Bottom Line

A common mistake by pool owners leveling their above-ground pool is starting working at the higher sides of the pool. However, we recommend starting to work with the lower sides of the pool. It requires less effort to increase the height than to lower the higher parts.

How to build a pool with 2x4s?

STEP 2: Place 2x4s on the site and place a level on top. Place 2×4 planks from the center of the pool site to the outer edge, using as many planks as needed to reach the border. Place a level on top of each 2×4. Use the levels as guides of where each part of the site is not level. Use stakes to mark these spots before starting to dig.

Can you eyeball the ground level?

Do not attempt to eyeball the level of the ground. Being off even by an inch or two could have severe consequences for the above-ground pool. There’s also the option of using stakes and twine, placing the level on top of the string to ensure the ground is level.

Can you put soil in a pool?

It’s not advised to add a large amount of soil to lowered areas because the above-ground pool will flatten the earth, possibly creating an uneven surface. If the site is being topped off with sand, a good rule of thumb is to dig the pool area at least 2 inches into the ground.

Can you level the ground for an above ground pool?

Leveling the ground for an above-ground pool can be a difficult task, so it’s advised to have a professional verify the area for the pool is truly level before you have your pool installed.

Where can I find an in ground pool?

In-ground pools can be found on residential or commercial grounds. As the name suggests, there are built in the ground, so you will need to dig the ground. An above-ground pool is set on the ground, and the frames around it make it safer to swim in.

What is the best way to dig a pool?

Foam is an excellent alternative to digging. All you have to do is place it on your grass and then build the pool on it. Solid foam is made out of polystyrene or polyurethane. The only problem with this alternative is that it can be expensive.

How do I put sand in a pool?

Drill a three/eight-inch hole in the middle of the boards and secure them to the ground with a metal rod. Afterward , pour sand over the pool perimeter, and rotate the boards until the sand is level. Wet the ground and flatten out the sand with a tamper.

How do I remove sod from a pool?

You should remove the sod from the area you want to place your swimming pool in. Otherwise, the grass could get into the swimming pool floor and ruin the pool. Plus, it makes the floor uneven and so makes it an unstable base to build your pool. To remove it, just wet it and remove it with a grub hoe or sod cutter.

Why do you need concrete for an above ground pool?

Use concrete to ensure a level and smooth ground. The rough texture of concrete makes sure your above-ground pool stays in place, even when multiple people are using it. Unfortunately, the roughness of the concrete could also be the downfall of your pool. Literally, it can cause leaks.

How long does it take to install an above ground pool?

It’s more difficult to install an in-ground pool, and it’s more expensive. An above-ground pool will take one day to install, and an in-ground level pool can take multiple weeks.

What tools do I need to level a pool?

Bear in mind that this will take a few days, but it’s essential not to be in a hurry, so the job gets done right. Leveling tool. Wide shovel.

How to level a pool with 2 by 4 boards?

There is an easy way to do this. Screw two 2-by-4 boards together alongside each other so they are one or two feet longer than the diameter of your pool. Next, lay the attached boards on the ground where the pool will be and put a level on top. Slowly lift and lower one side of the 2- by-4s until it shows level.

How to measure the distance from the bottom of a 2 by 4?

That is how far off, or “unlevel” the ground is. The next thing you should do is drill a hole through the middle of the 2-by-4, making it about 3/8 of an inch.

Can you use crushed limestone to seal a pool?

It is just not a good medium. Pivot the plank around the pool area and level continually until you are pivoting 360 degrees without stopping. Next, you can spread a layer of crushed limestone over the pool area and seal it by wetting, tamping, and leveling it with your base.

Can a pool be a hazard?

An improperly installed pool can be a big hazard for anyone using the pool as the force of the water can break out the side of the pool and violently push the contents, including the swimmer, out of the pool. Not only will you risk injury to the people in the pool, but you also run the risk of hurting anyone standing outside of the pool.

Can you put an above ground pool on an unlevel pool?

It is difficult to imagine a more significant threat than diving into a refreshing pool on a scorching summer day. This dream is quickly fused if the pool is not correctly installed or leveled. If you place an above ground pool on the unlevel pool you will find yourself with an unnaturally deep end on one side of the pool.

FIRST REALITY CHECK – REMOVE THE GRASS!

Here’s a common scenario. You’ve bought a pool for less from Walmart made by Intex or Coleman and it came in one big box.

REMOVING THE GRASS IS A TOUGH JOB!

As an above-ground pool installer for 35 years and counting, it’s very common for me to come to an install site where the homeowner had first attempted to self-install.

TOOLS NEEDED TO LEVEL THE GROUND FOR A SWIMMING POOL (THE KEY TO YOUR SUCCESS)

You don’t need much in the way of tools to level earth, but having the correct tools will help. A lot!

FINALLY – STEPS TO LEVELING THE SITE FOR AN ABOVE GROUND POOL

It’s easier when you know exactly where the pool is going and how much ground (earth) you have to level. With an above-ground pool, you’ll want to level one foot bigger than the size of the pool.

CONGRATULATIONS! YOUR SITE IS NOW LEVEL

If you have successfully removed the sod and got an area of the yard where you want your pool one foot bigger soft/workable and level to at least one inch, then you are ready to install the pool on it.

How much should a pool level be?

Therefore, it should be between ¼ and ½ inch level in order to be pleasing to the eye. The pool level can be up to 2 ½ inches off without being structurally damaging, although it will be obvious that the water level is off. Anything that is off by 3-inches or more is dangerous and needs to be fixed right away.

Why is it important to level an above ground pool?

Leveling Your Above Ground Pool Is Important. Water weighs much more than we think it does. That weight can cause severe problems to even the toughest pools if they are not leveled correctly. When assembling your above ground pool, it is important to take your time during the leveling step.

What happens if your pool is not level?

If an above ground pool is not level, the water’s weight can cause damage to the walls and liner. As a result, your pool will collapse, potentially causing property damage or personal injury. Properly leveling your pool can be tricky, so can fixing your unlevel pool. Luckily for you, we have the answer to all your pool questions, ...

Why is it dangerous to have a pool off by 3 inches?

This is because, at 3-inches, the imbalance of the thousands of pounds of water in your pool will put too much pressure on one side over the other , causing severe damage.

How to use a pool board?

To use the board, place it on the ground, and then put a level on top of it to see how level the board actually is. To use a string level, tie the string to a wooden stake and hammer it into the ground at the edge of where the pool should be.

How much water does a 15 ft pool hold?

An average 15-ft round pool with a 52-inch wall holds a little over 5,000 gallons of water. That is a little over 41,700 pounds of water weight. When this water level is off by more than three inches, you will start to see problems due to the weight of the water with: Damage to the liner. Pool wall damage. Uneven water level.

Why should a pool track be outside of the sand?

The pool track should be outside of the sand to ensure the sand doesn’t wash out. Tracks on top of the sand will move with the settling sand and possibly sink, making the walls uneven.