You can only enjoy your hot summer swim when you know that your pool is properly installed. Nobody enjoys swimming in a risky pool.
If your pool is not level, you will not enjoy it because the pool will not be stable, and more so, it can break out and injure people around you.
Installing a pool on level ground guarantees a safe and enjoyable swimming experience. In this article, you will learn how to use sand to level the ground for Intex or Coleman above-ground pools.
Why you need to level the ground for your pool
- It makes the water level uneven.
It is not safe to install your pool on sloped grounds because it will create safety issues. Uneven ground creates shallow and deep ends, which can be dangerous for children that can’t touch the bottom.
Moreover, it can affect the cleaning equipment like the skimmer when it gets stuck at the shallow end.
- You get a compromised and weak structure.
Since the pool base is not level, there will be an uneven distribution of pressure across the pool. This builds pressure on a particular section of the pool liner and wall and can make it twist and break.
Then imagine where the damaged part just gives out. The pool will break out and flood the whole place, putting the swimmers at risk.
- Everything about the pool will look wrong.
If you have an uneven pool, you will not be comfortable with the look. You will always feel that something is wrong with it. Even the thought of it will worry you a bit.
So, it’s not good to have something that will not give you peace of mind. People visiting your home will feel the same way when they see the pool.
So, how do you Level the ground with sand?
Leveling the ground with sand is the cheapest method, while concrete is the easiest. But that doesn’t mean that using sand is difficult. No, it is not as difficult as you might think.
There are two simple methods you can use to level the ground for your Intex above ground pool. You can use any of the methods and the result will look good.
But before we start, you need to get the required tools. Check out this article to know some of the tools you will need for the project.
Method 1: Working with paver plates
If you don’t want your pool to spill water, make sure it is level. You can use paver plates to make it look more professional.
Step 1: Locate the best spot
Who wants to waste resources trying to move or disassemble above ground pools? You need to do everything possible to avoid such things from happening.
Preventing it starts with this first step. Do your best to find the right spot to install your pool.
If you don’t want to dig, getting a flat and level area will be great, and it will make the whole process straightforward. If the ground is flat, you will do less shoveling.
Also, consider the trees in the area. You don’t want a tree near your pool if you’re not going to cover it all the time. Trees can easily get debris and dead leaves into your pool.
That might lead to frequent maintenance issues. So, avoid it by all means.
Another thing is to stay away from sewage lines, power lines, and underground cables. Make sure that the spot you intend to use is within your property boundaries.
Step 2: Clear the area
You need barren ground to install your Intex above ground pool. So, remove all the grass with your shovel and dig out any sod.
Look out for stones and debris and remove them from the area. Remove all plants by digging them out through the roots to ensure that they don’t grow back. If they mistakenly grow back their roots, they can damage the pool.
If you can clear them easily, you can use weed killers, or even cover the area with a tarpaulin. After a few weeks, the grass and plants will die.
Step 3: Level the soil
Clear the surface of the area and make sure it is level. Use your level to confirm whether the area is level or not. Use your shovel to fill in the low points and shovel the high points. Though this topic is for those who don’t wish to dig, digging at this point is highly recommended.
Step 4: Connect the pool’s bottom rails
After leveling the soil, the next thing to do is to arrange the rails on the ground into a circle. Push the ends together and fasten them following the instructions in your manual.
Step 5: Sink the pavers
If pavers are not included in your pool, you can get them from the home improvement stores. Sink them under the rails. Ensure the plates are level.
Step 6: Fill the ring with sand.
Start by pouring about 3 bags of sand into the circle. Continue filing until you get a thickness of about 2 inches minimum.
Use the rake to smitten and level the sand.
Step 7: Water the soil
Now that everything is almost ready, you need to water the soil and allow it to dry. You can allow it to dry overnight.
Step 8: Tamp down
You need the sand to be as compact as possible. So, tamp down hard using a temper until you stop noticing the footprint on it.
Method 2: Wooden beam
Step 1: Locate the best spot
Who wants to waste resources trying to move or disassemble above ground pools? You need to do everything possible to avoid such things from happening.
Preventing it starts with this first step. Do your best to find the right spot to install your pool.
If you don’t want to dig, getting a flat and level area will be great, and it will make the whole process straightforward. If the ground is flat, you will do less shoveling.
Also, consider the trees in the area. You don’t want a tree near your pool if you’re not going to cover it all the time. Trees can easily get debris and dead leaves into your pool.
That might lead to frequent maintenance issues. So, avoid it by all means.
Another thing is to stay away from sewage lines, power lines, and underground cables. Make sure that the spot you intend to use is within your property boundaries.
Step 2: Clear the area
You need barren ground to install your Intex above ground pool. So, remove all the grass with your shovel and dig out any sod.
Look out for stones and debris and remove them from the area. Remove all plants by digging them out through the roots to ensure that they don’t grow back. If they mistakenly grow back their roots, they can damage the pool.
If you can clear them easily, you can use weed killers, or even cover the area with a tarpaulin. After a few weeks, the grass and plants will die.
Step 3: Level the soil
Clear the surface of the area and make sure it is level. Use your level to confirm whether the area is level or not. Use your shovel to fill in the low points and shovel the high points. Though this topic is for those who don’t wish to dig, digging at this point is highly recommended.
Step 4: Fill the ring with sand.
Start by pouring about 3 bags of sand into the circle. Continue filing until you get a thickness of about 2 inches minimum.
Use the rake to smitten and level the sand
Step 5: Lay the wooden beam
Get 2″ x 4″ pieces of wood that span across the area. You can get more wood if one is not enough and fasten them together. Lay it across the sand.
Step 6: Fasten the level
Fasten your level on top of the wood team with a marking tape. With that, you can easily observe the level. If it is even, it means that the ground is even and flat.
Step 7: Insert a metal rod.
With your tape, locate the center of the beam and drill a hole through it. Insert a rod of about ⅜” through the hole and drill it into the ground.
Step 8: Rotate the beam.
Step into the ring and pull one end of the beam toward you to rotate it. It will spin while you move back within the circle. Observe the level while you spin. If you notice an uneven spot, correct it with the board and keep rotating until you complete the cycle.
If your shoes leave any divots, the board will level it as it passes through it. You can level anyone you notice after the cycle with your shovel.
Step 9: Wet and compact the sand.
Compact the sand by wetting it thoroughly with water. Ensure the whole area is properly sprayed and soaked.
Step 10: Tamp down
Starting from the outside edges of the circle, tamp down the sand thoroughly until you stop noticing footprints on it. Ensure you tamp down all the spots without leaving anywhere untouched.
Once you are done with the tamping, the ground will be ready for your pool.
