Summer brings a lot of happiness and fun. It’s something refreshing to be able to go outside again without worrying about freezing to death from not being properly covered. Summertime is special, especially for pool owners, as this is the best time to enjoy their pool the most.
Summer is the period when many people eventually decide to own a pool. If you’re one of the people that is planning to own an above-ground pool or have gotten one already and are wondering the most affordable ways you can level the ground for effective placement, then you’re at the right place. Stay with us as we take you through the phases.
Before we look at the phases, you’ll love to quickly take a look at the pool manufacturer’s instructions from the manual. There are certain factors to be considered before going on to pick a location for your pool.
- Ensure the ground under your pool is flat and level.
- The ground must be firm, not muddy, sandy or jittery.
- Avoid placing your above-ground pool on a balcony, as they are much heavier than an inflatable hot tub and might collapse it.
- Ensure you place the pool in an area where it can be easily drained.
Here are the steps to follow to level the ground for your pool placement.
Step 1. Remove any stone or dirt from the area with a rake, or wear gloves and do it with your hands.
Step 2. Place two by fours on the site ground. Keep them from moving by drilling a hole inside, then using a stake to nail them into the ground.
Step 3. Place a level that’s at least several feet long on top of the two by fours. Put it in the center to see where the ground isn’t level. Then you can go ahead and level the two-by-fours with cable ties.
Step 4. Use a shovel to level the ground. Spot uneven areas and level them either by removing or adding soil.
Step 5. Keep using the two by fours to level the ground until it becomes entirely flat.
Step 6. Remove any remaining sands and dirt on the area with a rake.
After you’ve completed all these steps, be sure that you’re good to go. You can now mount your pool.
Can I use sand to level my pool?
For economic and space reasons, most people opt for above-ground pools, which are a cheaper alternative to in-ground pools and occupy less space. However, one of the important aspects to consider when planning on getting an above-ground pool is the site where you’re going to place the pool and how to effectively make sure that it is balanced to avoid damage or cause the structure of the pool to be unbalanced.
And yes, of course, you can use sand to level the ground on which you’ll be placing your pool. Just like I stated earlier, you can either remove sand or add sand to balance the ground and make it flat.
Let’s look at ways you can easily use sand to flatten the ground for pool placement.
- Dig out the sod around the area: Dig and clear the area of any rocks and debris. Dig and remove all grass and plants from the area.
- Clear out all the dirt until the area is level. Make sure you dig and clear the area till the entire area is equally flat. Hold a level against the ground and see if it lays flat. If it doesn’t, then the ground isn’t level. Dig out high spots and fill the holes with a shovel, then smooth out the soil with a rake.
- Now go ahead and lay and connect the bottom rails of the pool. Put the rails on the ground, organize them into a circle, and push the ends together. Follow the instructions of the manufacturer inside the manual.
You can go on to install pavers where the two rails you’ve set connect. After you might have done this, you can plaster them in between. You can then fill the circled area with sand, wet it, and use a tamper to tamp it down and make it equal.
How many inches of sand do you need for a pool?
While setting up an above-ground pool, it is important that you get the accurate knowledge needed, or else you might damage your pool because of inadequate structure.
It is generally recommended that your pool should have a two to three-inch base of sand under an above-ground pool.
If the dimensions of the area where you intend to situate the pool are known to you, then you won’t have a hard time figuring out the amount of sand you’ll be needing for your base using a sand calculator.
What kind of foam goes under a pool?
An above ground pool brings you all the fun, especially when friends and family are cruising in it with you, but the main thing is properly installing that pool so that it lasts and continues to give you the enjoyment it brings.
Having a layer of foam under your pool helps protect the liner from getting damaged.
There are quite some options when it comes to foam liners for you. Let’s look at some of them immediately.
Intex pool ground cloth is one of the most popularly known manufacturers of above-ground swimming pools. For most Intex pools without foaming or ground cloth, they offer quite a few affordable ones that can easily be gotten from shops or their online sites.
The Styrofoam bottom liner is also a very good foam for your base. It offers more protection than the pads. However, you can install the pads after the sides of your above-ground pool are installed.
Can you put plywood under the above-ground pool?
Yes, plywood is very helpful in keeping the base of your pool level. It is very important that your inflatable swimming pool sits on level ground because if the sides are not balanced, water is more likely to spill from the sides and cause damage to the pool structure.
Ensure that you follow the right steps and procedures, as stated earlier, before going on to install the pool.
Can you put an above-ground pool on grass?
It is certain that installing an above-ground pool on top of the grass will kill it over time. The pool will definitely affect the grass. Unless you do not care much about whether they die or not, then you can go ahead and install it.
The chemicals administered into the pool are still likely to get on the grass, which kills it and makes the lawn become discolored.
What is the easiest way to level the ground for a pool?
Getting an above-ground pool is one thing; setting it up properly is another. If you’re looking for ways you can accurately level and set up your above-ground pool, then this article is for you.
Step 1. Select a location: It’s very important to pick a good location because once your pool has been set up, it can’t be quickly undone. Consider locations where your pool water can easily be drained, just in case you want to.
Step 2. Clear the site: properly clear the location you’ve picked. Clear grass and remove grass, debris, and any dirt around the area, as this can damage your pool liner.
Step 3. Level the ground: The next important thing to do is accurately level the ground because if the ground is not properly leveled, your pool can bend one way and allow water to pour out. Use a leveling device to properly check the ground levels, then use a shovel to add or remove sand in the needed areas to make the ground flat.
Step 4. Use a tamper to tamp the sand down: tamp the sand down hard on every surface until it becomes equal and compacted.
Step 5. Time to lay your base protector down: put your pool base layer or pad in the area you’ve just arranged. A base layer is some form of cover that serves as protection for the vinyl of your swimming pool.
Step 6. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the manual towards setting your pool up.
What should I put under my above-ground pool to level it?
Once the ground you’re setting your pool on is level and flat, there won’t be any problems with leveling anymore. However, you should decide on what platform you want to put your pool on. Is it concrete or grass?
Concrete has been generally said to be the best option since it’s very level and smooth. Grass can still be a good option if the ground has been leveled and the grass has been killed off.
Also, it is important that you consider what exactly you’ll like to put under the above-ground pool as a base. There are options like interlocking base tiles, carpet, Intex ground cloth, and after-market pool pads. It’s up to you to decide which one will be suitable for you to use.
