Bottom of Pool not Level

by Kyle
(S.C.)

We just installed a 27' round by 52" metal wall above ground pool with resin posts and caps. The base frame rails are level and the top frame rails are level (with 3/4"), however the sand beneath the liner is not. About 75% of the pool is 2" deeper then the other 25%. The walls are straight and the post bases are still on firm ground. It was just a bad job of leveling the sand beneath the pool liner. Will this be ok or should I drain, tear down and start over? All I hear from other pool people is the 1" rule, is there any tolerance on this? Desperately awaiting an answer.
thanks, kyle


Hi Kyle. This happens a lot and no, it is nothing to worry about. That’s not what the one inch rule is talking about.

It is easy to do a great job of leveling the outer two or three foot of ground for the rail to sit on and then not doing such a good job across the bottom of the pool. Many people think they can level this area with the sand, and although it is possible, it is not recommended. That would leave maybe five or six inches of sand on one side of the pool and the normal two inches on the other. The problem with this is the sand that is to thick will leave footprints more easily than the other side.

It sounds to me like your sand was spread out over ground that ways not level. I would think it would be hard to spread sand out as uneven as you describe, but possible I’m sure.

There is really only one drawback to having the pool bottom unleveled. Installing a liner, without any wrinkles, is much more difficult when one side of the pool fills up before the other side. The liner gets pulled in strange ways and can cause real headaches.

Many years down the road, when you go to replace your liner, worry about it then. Until that time, enjoy your pool.