What could be more fun in summer midday than diving into that swimming pool in the backyard? The feeling of that experience is therapeutic. However, having imagined such kind of recreational experience, you might want to include swimming pool installation in your summer budget. According to your budget, you decide to settle for above ground pool. What you don’t know about the high-ground pool project is the key to its stability which is level ground. At that instant, the first step in your project is how to level ground for above ground pool.
Easy steps on how to level ground for easy set pool
Leveling ground for a pool doesn’t require rocket science. In case you are wondering why a level ground is an integral part of an above-ground pool, check out the next paragraph.
The uneven ground makes the water in the pool inclined to one side than the other. In such a case, you end up with a deeper and shallow end in the pool. With an unbalanced water level, the pool becomes subject to a lot of risks. Your children might drown should they find themselves in the deeper ends of the pool.
Another significant effect is the pressure on the pool walls which leads to the destruction of the pool. The uneven water distribution in the pool makes one side of the pool walls undergo a lot of stress than the other side. Constant pressure weakens the walls with time and starts cracking. Eventually, the cracks will give way to the pool water.
The unleveled ground makes the pool looks unattractive. Am sure you want everyone who comes to the pool to admire its sight. Unfortunately, the unbalanced water level is visible to everyone who comes to the pool, so it is hard to avoid.
Before you start the actual leveling process, there are some tools you will need to make the work easier. Here is a list of what shouldn’t miss in your shopping list
List
- Shovel
- Leveling board or any leveling device
- Sod cutter
- Lawn roller
Leveling ground for pool
Step 1: Identifying the location
We would recommend you find the flattest position in your backyard that will give you easy work. A flat area presents an easy time when performing the next steps.
Make sure the region is not prone to fall leaves even though a little shade is not harmful. Falling leaves make maintaining the cleanliness of the pool an all-time task. But you can’t be cleaning the pool every time since you have other duties to take care of.
Keeping your pool away from trees is one sure way of keeping it clean all the time. Another factor to note is sewer lines and underground power lines. Make sure the site is not above any power line or sewer line as that will pose a significant danger to the swimmers.
Step 2: Prepare the site.
Once you have the location, the next step is clearing the ground of any vegetation cover using the sod cutter or a rot tiller. Use the shovel to lift off gravel and any other unwanted debris on the ground.
Once the ground is clear, make a hole at the center of the designated site. Drive a metal rod inside the whole. Use a string tied on the metal rod at the base where it can touch the ground to level the ground. With the string extended across the ground, you can pull it as you move horizontally to cover 360 degrees of the ground.
The movement of the string will remove any debris asymmetrical to the required level. Do this to all parts of the site. If you are using the level board, measure the ground to identify unleveled areas.
Step 3: Level the ground
This is the hardest part. By now you will have identified the unleveled sections. Use a shovel to dig such areas or scoop the swollen areas.
You can also use the rot tiller at this stage to break the soils that are still making the ground rough. The main objective is to have a smooth ground for the base of your pool.
Finally, bring the string and rotate it again to make sure all areas are at the same level.
Step 4: Place the pool bottom protector
Lay the pool bottom protector on the leveled ground before the pool construction begins. The pool protector keeps a sharp object on the ground from penetrating the pool base. It also acts as an insulator by preventing the loss of heat from the water to the ground.
Conclusion
With the above steps, you can have your above ground pool installation lasting an extended period. Take your time during leveling of the ground since if you miss it, you will only realize the miscalculation when the pool is full of water. You do not have to incur such losses when you have the steps for ground leveling.