Best way to re-level pool?

by Ann
(ON, Canada)

Our pool has sunk on one side, almost 4" lower than the rest of the pool. What is the best way to fix it? The original installers did not put patio stones under the posts, and when the neighbor landscaped his yard, our yard got too much water. The ground underneath is clay and we are also fixing the drainage for the yard.

Do we lower everything the full height? Do we meet in the middle - lower half and raise half? How solid are the rails - can we carefully jack them up a couple of inches without removing the wall (there is no room to store it), or undermine a patio stones width at the post? (The pool has been drained and most of the liner removed.

The pool is 17 years old or more, and aluminum, not resin.

Thanks
Ann

Hi Ann, pools can always be brought back to level. If you raise the low side I would recommend using blocks under the posts. This is a big help to make sure it does not settle again. Be sure the dirt under the rails is solid also.

You can use a round point shovel to raise the wall enough to work under. Just stick the point under the rail near an upright and lean back on the shovel. Done carefully this will not damage the pool in anyway. You just need a few inches under the rail and posts to work.

Leveling the outside frame is the easy part. You now need to take your time and get the inside area as level as possible. I find it much easier to raise the low areas rather than lower the high side. Having the base inside the pool level when you reinstall the liner is important. You need to do what ever makes the most sense with this in mind. Make sure the cove is all rebuilt and is high enough on the wall.