leveling the ground, need help!

[mike17]

<br /><br />I got one of these pools awhile ago, and since then ive had to set it up twice do to the fact that the ground is not level. The second time i set it up it was pretty lvl, but since then it has got worse and is leaning to one side pretty bad and im going to have to take it down again.<br />My question is, what is the best way i could level out the ground so i wont have to go through all this again? <br />The pool is 16ft wide. and my backyard doesnt have the best grass in the world =P

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: leveling the ground, need help!

just installed a 24' above ground. gotta dig out<br />the sod and make it level, then add 4-6" of sand.<br />wet/compress/wet/compress... get a 8' nice straight<br />1"x4" and use it to level by scraping the sand in<br />a circular motion.<br />done properly, it will last forever.<br />good luck,<br />M.Y.

 

[JGREGORY]

Re: leveling the ground, need help!

Mike, sounds like it might be a compaction problem also. <br /><br />I used to work for a county maintenance dept. (before I got smart and finished college) There may be 2 things you have to do:<br /><br />1. If the ground your putting the pool on is constantly soft you may have to dig a deeper hole (8"-12") and fill it (4"-6")with some clean stone (recomend 3/4 river stone because it is smooth and won't put a hole in your liner) for drainage and then cover it with sand. <br /><br />2. You need to compact it. Use anything flat, a 2x6 or 8 cut to about 12"-18" long nailed to a 4x4 will work. My favorite is to take same 2x8 attach straps to it to you can put your feet in them and walk around in the hole.<br /><br />When we laid drainage pipe we had the same types of problems keeping the ground at a steady pitch and providing drainage for under the pipe so it didn't shift or settle.

 

[Homerr]

Re: leveling the ground, need help!

Don't foget, you can usually rent one of thoe rollers from a tool rental outfit. They work fairly well at campacting and leveling.<br /><br />There's also an engine powered compactor too.<br /><br />Good luck,<br /><br />H.

 

[Scoop]

Re: leveling the ground, need help!

I agree with everyone else on removing more material and replacing it with a better base then compacting, but would suggest renting a wacker vibrating compactor from the local rental. They work great and are easy to use. I used these for creating the beds for cement driveways, blacktop driveways, and pool bed prep. I know the digging can be a chore if you have to do it by hand, but I suggest getting a few friends and a couple cases of beer and brats and make a party out of it. It will be short work and everyone will have a great time when it's done.

 

[mike17]

Re: leveling the ground, need help!

Thanks for the help guys, ill be doing that this monday..(oh joy!)<br /><br />and Scoop, bad idea about the beer...im 17

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: leveling the ground, need help!

...and in Florida they think BRATS are little kids!!

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: leveling the ground, need help!

mmmmmm.... brats and beer.<br />if you use a roller to compress, roll in a circle<br />from center out. also, forgot to mention; have to<br />dig a lil deeper than sand added (6-8")<br />always remove high spot, never try to fill low.<br />took me 2 days hard labor to prep and 1 day to<br />completely install the pool.

 

[Gold Bear]

Re: leveling the ground, need help!

mike17 <br /><br />All good advice given above. If you do not have access to a grade level transit, you can use "spirit level" to find the high spots.<br /><br />A spirit level is simply a plastic tube filled with water.. Hold both ends up and you will find the water level. You can make the tube a long as you want without any problem. <br /><br />Good luck,<br /><br />Gold Bear

 

[Scoop]

Re: leveling the ground, need help!

Mike, you'll have to make it soda then. I sure wish I was 17 again. OK, maybe 21 I don't want to go back to High School, but I sure could use another four years of party.. I mean college.