Above ground pool leveling: How to Level Ground for a Pool: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

How to level above ground pool – Further Reading

1 How to Level an Above Ground Pool
2 Dangers of an Unlevel Above Ground Pool
3 How Do You Level Your Above Ground Pool?
4 How to Use a Water Level
5 How To Level an Above Ground Pool After It’s Been Filled With Water
6 What Not to Do With an Unlevel Pool Filled With Water

Having an above ground pool comes with a number of challenges. One is to to get the pool setup level on the first try. Another is often how to level an above ground pool after it’s been filled with water. That may be because of problems with the initial setup or because legs settled into the ground sometime after.

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.

That means all the footings need to be within an inch of the same elevation. If the footings are at the same elevation then the top rail will follow the footings. Unfortunately you often do not discover your measurements were off until you fill the pool with water and see that the water line is not even with the top rail. Then you are left with how to level an above ground pool after it’s been filled with water.

Sometimes a pool will be level when erected and then after rains and water splashing out around the pool base some footers will sink into the ground due to erosion or rise due to root encroachment. Should an above ground pool lose it’s level footing some action needs to be taken.

Consider the following… your family and friends are enjoying an afternoon in your pool, some sitting just a few feet away relaxing on a sunny evening. All of a sudden the side of the pool starts to rip open or the pool starts to lean due to the waves caused by the kids playing. Before anyone can take action, kids and over 17,000 gallons, 28 tons, of water flood the yard, dousing those sitting near the pool. Screams are heard, expletives are yelled, kids are coughing from the water in their mouths and nose, and hopefully, there are only some minor injuries.

Water weighs 8.34 lbs/gallon. A 24 foot round and 5 foot deep pool contains 17,000 gallons that weighs 141,780 lbs. That is over 28 tons that the pool walls needs to hold. That 3 inches that a pool is off level is putting 7,000 pounds of unequal pressure on the high water side of the pool. Would you want to be in the pool while a group of people is putting 7,000 pounds of force on the side of the pool trying to pull it down?

Even if the pool does not catastrophically collapse the unequal pressure can warp the track and frame and stress the liner. Above ground pool supports are not designed to carry unequal loads around the legs and frame.

How do you keep everyone safe? It’s quite simple, spend the time to level the pool as described below. And if you discover the pool is out of level then you have to start over by draining your pool. Unfortunately it often takes two or three tries when erecting an above ground pool for the first time to get it level. The water is inexpensive compared to the damage to people and property that a pool collapse can cause.

Pools should be erected on virgin soil that is well compacted and has not been dug up. Beware if the site was used for construction where fill from excavation from building the house was dumped.

Always dig down to level pavers. Never try to put fill under a paver to raise it. You must put the legs on solid blocks. No matter how solid your ground looks the legs are likely to sink into the ground if not set on solid blocks.

Use a 5 to 6 foot 2×4, and a heavy-duty level. You will have to ensure the beginning, middle, and ends of the 2×4 are all level between each of the cement pavers.
Invest or rent a builder’s level with a laser sight, or a manual builder’s level. This will involve the assistance of another person; however, it can be much faster with better results.
Build a Water Level as described below or rent a 360-degree laser level and you can do the leveling on your own.
Each ‘joint’ of the pool frame needs to be on a level surface overall. Get cement pavers for each joint or leg of the track/frame, and ensure they are level with each other and the surface of the top of the ground around it. You will have dig down to make the pavers level with the ground it. 8×8 inch or larger 4 inch thick cement pavers are the favored material for this. The cement pavers must be larger than the legs of the pool to compensate for any slight movements of the pool while filling it or at times when kids do cannonballs or make large waves in the pool.
Intex recommends using 2×6 or 2×12 pressure treated boards instead of pavers to support the legs on their rectangular pools. The support for the legs needs to be large enough so the legs do not hang off the sides of the support, and so the legs have room to spread out as the pool is filled.
Cement is not recommended for a pool to go on. It can cause wear and tear on the bottom of the pool. Most cement slabs have a slope to help drain water so are unsuitable for pools.
Put the pool together according to the instructions, then start filling it!

Water Level

Getting the pavers or blocks level is the key to having a level pool. A water level is an inexpensive tool to check that each paver is the same height. You can build a water level or buy one on Amazon and other sites.

To build a water level attach a vinyl hose hose to two objects, such as two jack stands, and place them next to each other and at the same height. Add some food coloring to the water. Look at the water in the tube, each side should be at the same height in the tube. You can mark the tube with a piece of tape and now you know at what height “level” is inside the tube. If you raise or lower one of the ends of your tube, the water level stays constant but the mark you made on the tube will be either above or below the “level” mark. ^[1]

You should chose one paver, generally the highest, that you wanted to level every other paver to. Remember that you want to dig down to level a paver, never build the ground up. Put one end of the water level on the reference high paver and move the other end to a different paver. Looking at the the water in the level you will see if you need to make adjustments to that paver. Then move on to a new location and made adjustments until they all are level to the reference paver.

Just imagine the water in the tube is your pool water level and the tube is the sides of your pool. This will show you if the water in your pool is at the same height all along the sides of your pool. Because the height of the water doesn’t change but your sides could be out of level.

Once you think you have all the pavers level do a final check. With one end on the reference paver, move the other end from one paver to another and see how close to level they all are. Taking your time and having patience in leveling the blocks can get your pool level within 1/2 inch or less. Now you are ready to begin assembling your pool.

If your water level is off by more than three inches you should fix it. We wish we could give you a simple fix to level a pool that has been filled with water but there are too many safety issues with the often-used simple fixes. Here is the best solution to level a pool that has been filled with water for having a fun and safe pool season:

Drain your pool!
Take the pool apart and move it aside, then allow the ground where it was to dry.
Make sure the area your pool’s track/frame will be on is level. Even if you have to hire someone to do this. The ground will need to be dug down. Do NOT add dirt or sand to build up any low spots to match the high spots. The weight of the pool and water will compress it making all of your work for nothing.

Taking the steps outlined above will ensure your above-ground pool can be used the entire pool season, and potentially for years to come without the concern of a potential burst or warping of the track/frame. It’s the least you can do to keep your investment and family safe.

Do not try and lift or move a pool full of water.

Many discussion boards mention simply cutting the legs or lowering the high side of the pool. Unfortunately, this can lead to undue stress on the track/frame and usually stresses the liner on the legs that are fixed as it can lead to odd angles unseen from the outside of the pool.

Do not try any tricks such as cutting the legs or hoisting legs up onto supports. This will cause irreparable damage to your pool and is a huge safety hazard to your family.

Above Ground Pool Excavation and Ground Leveling – Central Florida Above Ground Pools

Leveling and preparing the ground for your above ground pool is not an easy task. My opinion is ground prep is about half the job of the pool building project. Even the most experienced shovelers and sod busters will have a hard time removing the grass and leveling for an above ground pool. This is why I now have two machines to help me with the ground prep for the installation. When I was younger and stronger, we used to build these pools with just shovels and rakes. Now that I’m older and smarter, I use machines.

Planning on installing yourself?

Many above ground pool buyers decide to install it themselves. The main reason for this is to save money or keep the project cost down. Another popular reason is that they are do-it-yourselfers and take pride in being able to do the job on their own. I usually fall into both categories and understand fully the benefits of both reasons. Here then from one DIY guy to the other, are some tips on the excavation process of installing your above ground swimming pool.

Clear a bigger area

Preparing a pool site is labor intensive so DIYers often times will try to level as small an area as they can for the size pool they purchased. This can result in even more work because if you didn’t initially level enough earth for your pool, then you’ll have to dig more later when the track goes down and that’s more of a pain. Clear and level at least one foot more than the size of your above ground all the way around. Example: 24’round pool = 26′ cleared circle.

Sharpen your shovels

Trying to remove sod and level earth using a shovel without a sharp edge is a lot like cutting a cheap steak with a butter knife. You can do it but it’ll take longer to eat your dinner. Using a grinder or file to put an edge on your shovel will save you time and maybe a trip to the chiropractor. Also, I much prefer a square head shovel.

Rent a sod cutter

I know you’re probably trying to save money but if you have really good grass at the install site or if you’re 45 minutes into the dig and have only a couple of feet of grass dug up, rent a cutter. It’ll be the best money you’ve ever spent. Rental on a sod cutter is about $100.00 but you’ll save a lot on time, swear words, project moral, and grieve beers later.

Have some sand delivered

As a professional pool installer, I don’t get sand very often but that’s because I have the proper machines and know how to make a nice smooth pool bottom without it. Orlando and surrounding areas are made up of mostly sand, so adding more to a pool bottom will often make it too soft and that’s why I don’t use it much.

When installing the pool yourself though, it may be a good idea as extra sand can help you in the pool leveling process, cover pokey objects left in the earth, and aid in ground moisture control during the install. Depending on the conditions of your yard/pool site, using extra sand’s pros may outweigh its cons.

Get a liner guard

Above ground pool liner protection pads, sometimes called Gorilla pads, are kind of a lot of money for what you get, but they do a good job protecting the pool’s liner from anything sharp left in the earth bottom or any metal parts of the pool’s track or buttress structure. It’s a nice guarantee that if you left some sharp rocks or glass in the pool bottom, your liner won’t get a puncture.

Pool site preparation

If this part of the pool install job isn’t for you, consider having us come out and do the site clearing and leveling. We can come there with the equipment, remove the sod and level a big enough area to within an inch or two so you can then get started on building the actual swimming pool. The cost for this usually runs between $350.00 and $800.00 depending on the size of your pool, how off grade your yard is, and how far down you may want to sink the pool. This isn’t a cheap option for the do-it-yourselfer but is still hundreds less than a full install. It’s pretty common for us to do the leveling only as I get a lot of people asking for it. This is why I have it as an option on this site.

Landscape pools | Neptune Company

Infinity pools around the world are becoming increasingly popular. Today in the US landscaped pools dominate the private pool market in the south and central part of the country.

Irregular pools with grottoes, waterfalls, and rocks are the next generation of private pools. Such a pool will become a real gem near any home and will create a unique landscape that will delight its owner

As for the equipment and technology used in the construction of landscaped pools, they are very similar to those used in the construction of conventional pools. The difference is only in the shape of the pool and how the area around the pool will be designed.

Such pools differ from other water bodies in that they are not planted with plants. Usually pools are designed for swimming and bathing. The main decorative detail of the pool is the bottom, so this type of reservoir must be located in a place where the bottom is clearly visible. The shape of the pool can be arbitrary or correct, depending on the overall style of the garden. On a site where straight lines predominate, it is desirable to make the pool rectangular, round or square.

The most commonly used pools in landscape design are concrete waterproofing. The bottom of the pools is most often trimmed with various types of tiles. When choosing its color scheme, all kinds of shades of blue and green are most often used, which create an impression of depth and coolness. It must be remembered that the darker the color of the tile, the deeper the pool will appear. Modern styles of outdoor garden pools have a special elegance of the pools. This is ensured by the combination of the color of the tiles of the pool itself and the marble decorativeness of its surroundings.

Modern styles suggest swimming pools, around which there is a place to relax – umbrellas, sun loungers, a veranda with a table and an awning. The landscape should be planned in such a way that a walking area is created around the pool, which does not allow branches and leaves to fill up the pool in the rain and windy weather.

Plants are planted around the pool in such a way as to hide the pool from prying eyes, create the appearance of a protected area, the illusion of privacy and peace. You can make one side of the pool with wide steps, imperceptibly, plunging into clear water. However, it must be remembered that despite the decorativeness, the steps are always especially slippery and require attention and special care.

In order for the pool to bring joy, it is necessary to carefully approach the arrangement of the area around it. Shrubs and trees shield the space from the wind and prying eyes. In addition, dense vegetation obscures unaesthetic elements of the landscape.

Before planting a plant, you need to know how big it will grow. A tree that is too sprawling and tall creates an unwanted shadow, and foliage falling from branches that hang over the water leads to rotting of the water.

Plants should be planted no closer than two meters from the water to make it easier to keep the pool clean. And if you still really like the branches hanging over the water, choose trees with large leaves, as their foliage is easier to pick out of the water. Most evergreens shed their leaves throughout the year. Even if you plant them at a considerable distance from the pool, the wind will bring plant debris into the water. Therefore, it is best to plant deciduous species. In autumn, when the plants lose their leaves, you can cover the surface of the pool with a thin mesh.

If the pool is located in a small area, there is relatively little room for plants. You can get out of the situation by placing potted plants along the banks. Clay pots harmonize well with brickwork, and vines and shrubs growing in them close sharp corners without taking up too much space at the same time. The paved area around the pool will not look uncomfortable and bare if you decorate it with potted plants.

If the pool is built on a slope, it can be partially buried so that one edge is almost at ground level.

The high pool wall at the bottom of the slope can be camouflaged by planting tall plants next to it. The design of the walls of the pool bowl is such that they cannot withstand the horizontal pressure of the soil and the water contained in it.

Therefore, trenches should be made at the outside of the walls, drainage pipes should be placed in them and, after the pool is filled with water, they should be covered with gravel.

If you are building an above-ground pool on a level surface, you need to provide a convenient approach. To this end, you can partially bury the walls in the ground, or you can build a terrace with a staircase on one side. It makes sense to plant shade-loving plants near the stairs.

Your patio can follow the curved shape of the edge. Support beams are arranged in different directions, but the flooring should look like a single unit. You can finish with boards not only the terrace, but also the walls of the pool bowl from the outside, as well as other vertical surfaces. It would be nice to place a place for receiving guests near your pond. The above-ground pool can be successfully surrounded by terraces located at different levels. The flooring around the pools should not be very slippery, so it is most practical to make them from boards with a special relief.

Growing plants around the pool is quite difficult, as salt and bleach have an adverse effect on both the green spaces themselves and the soil. The most hardy species should be selected and, if possible, flower beds should be placed above the water level. The most practical plants in pots.

Southern cordyline (Cordyline australis), glorious yucca (Yucca gloriosa), Chinese rose (Hibiscus), and oleander will do well in pots, juniper in boxes, and agapanthus in small wide clay bowls. Plants should be placed as far from the shore as possible. The use of pots with a narrow top reduces the chance of soil getting into the water if the pot is accidentally dropped. We advise you to grow plants with leathery leaves on the shore.

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Overground pools made of concrete to order ⋆ Vecherniy Kyiv news

Aboveground pools made of concrete are style. After all, this configuration provides a distinctive multi-dimensional aesthetic and gives the original design of the courtyard .

Above ground pools: custom concrete construction

Another reason is functionality. Some homeowners choose above ground pools to meet the physical mobility needs of family members. Some elevated pool designs even offer safety and maintenance benefits.

Regardless of the reason for the decision to build entirely or partly from earth, the result can be pleasing to the eye and cost-effective. Check out some examples of these half above ground pool designs to see how they are configured to achieve beautiful and functional results!

Building Above Ground Pools: Overcoming and Using Yard Obstacles

Depending on factors in your outdoor home, your pool builder may suggest a plan for a concrete pool that sits anywhere from a few inches to a few feet above the ground.

A number of special design considerations can make a full or partial above-ground pool a reasonable solution for a new concrete structure.

However, the three most common obstacles that make it difficult to fully deepen the pool into the soil. These are:

sloping yards,
hard or stony soils,
underground water sources.

Sloping Yards

The most common reason for elevated pool design is sloping property. In most cases, the house is on top or higher, and the backyard slopes down from the house.

One way to get over a hilly piece of land – use its roughness to your advantage . At the upper end of the slope it makes sense to build a pool at ground level , and at the lower end of the slope to build this part of the pool above ground .

Both homeowners and contractors generally prefer these above ground concrete pools to sloping yard alternatives. This includes leveling the pool area using a complex multi-step process. Therefore, it is better to entrust the construction of concrete pools Kyiv to professionals from the Intercom company.

This construction includes one large or two small strong retaining walls, usually made of concrete or stone. Your contractor then has to haul many cubic meters of backfill to the job site and distribute it as needed to bring all areas to the desired level.

Finally, teams must compact every bit of soil throughout the yard.

By building one side of your pool out of earth, you can not only save money and possibly maintain a scenic view, but also make it more interesting and creative. In fact, a sloped yard often makes it easy to create the custom pool design that many homeowners love.

Troubled and hard ground

Another reason to build a concrete pool above ground is what is underneath. Rocks, frame and just stones create serious problems in excavations that require special equipment and special tactics for digging a pit.

To save the time and money associated with shipping special earthmoving equipment and hiring a jackhammer crew to work on a rock or hard soil filled jackhammer, consider a raised basin.

Your contractor can dig a few inches to a few feet through the soft topsoil and then build a structure that is partly underground and partly above ground.

The custom raised pool is not only a practical solution to the “heavy excavation” problem, but also creates a visually intriguing final design.

Underground water sources
Do you have a pond, lake or river near your home? Is your site located above the water table, as indicated by frequent patches of wet or wet ground?

Another prime candidate pushing for an above-ground concrete pool is the excavation site vulnerable to groundwater . To build a typical underground pool, contractors would need to remove the earth and create a dry stable recess for the concrete shell. Water interferes.

So, before starting the regular excavation under the pool, a professional builder will make a small test hole. If the water table is already present two or three feet below the surface, full excavation can be difficult and costly.

Here’s why: your contractor may have to install pumps and run them constantly to remove water from the pool opening while all other phases of construction are being completed.

To increase the stability of the pool shell in areas with high water tables, your builder may also add a special layer of fine gravel to the bottom of the hole. It may also be necessary to install permanent hydrostatic relief valves.

These additional steps, materials and equipment make construction more labor intensive and add to the overall budget of any pool.

But here’s the good news: you can negate the time and budget required to deal with groundwater levels by choosing the raised above-ground pool. Its configuration bypasses most of the problems associated with water intrusion and still gives you all the freedom to choose the beautiful design features of a concrete pool.

Pool Design: A New Level of Style and Functionality
Some homeowners want a fully above ground concrete pool purely for its unique look.

Sometimes the idea comes from a creative pool builder who presents this atypical configuration to clients who ask for something “original” or “different from all neighbor pools”.

In other cases, homeowners cling to this unusual concept after seeing a raised pool in a magazine or during a trip. In fact, it’s not uncommon for vacationers to return from overseas – whether in Caribbean resorts or European cities – where they see unique concrete pools built from the ground. Back at home, they want to reproduce the image in their backyard.

Some people like elevated design because they want to evoke the image of a large public fountain or fountain pool they see in a park or in front of a museum. While they prefer elegant fountain-inspired style, they still need a pool that the family can play and exercise in.

In addition to the great looks of a raised concrete pool, it may offer some unexpected functionality. If your pool is only a foot above ground level, the added benefit is that the wall becomes a comfortable place to sit and chat by the water.

An above ground pool also offers some safety benefits. While you should never leave a small child unsupervised by a pool, the Fully Raised Pool with raised sides all around creates a barrier for wayward toddlers.