Level Ground for Pool

by Jackie
(Ocala, FL)

What's the best way to level the ground for a large above ground pool? (32' x 16') My yard is mostly sand.

Who can I call to level it if I don't want to do it myself? Thanks, Jackie



Hi Jackie. A handy man or an excavator should be able to level the ground for you. Just make sure they use a laser level. Laser levels are the most accurate way to level a yard. They are also the easiest leveling tool to use. A transit works well also but requires a second person to hold the level stick.

Sandy yards require special care to assure the pool has a firm foundation to sit on. One way to do this is to use patio blocks under the uprights and end rails. This creates a solid base for the pool frame and should not wash out easily. The side supports would also need extra blocking.

Another way of creating a solid foundation is to remove six inches or so of sand from a four foot wide area around the circumference of the pool. The sand can be replaced with something like a crusher run from the local sand and rock store. This will compact very well and leave the pool frame sitting on firm ground. It will also leave a couple of feet of firm ground beyond the pool to prevent any kind of washouts from rain.

I use my laser level to not only level the ground but to level the footplates at each end of the pool. I also use it to level the brace assemblies and the blocks they rest on.

It's not enough to just have someone come in and use a level one time on the ground. It needs to be used throughout the installation.

Level Base

by Tammy
(Meridian, MS)

We put our above ground pool on cement and checked to see if it was level after a bit of water. It is not level, measuring 3 inches on one side, 2 inches in the center and 1 3/4 inches on the other side. The user manual says it is not level enough if 1-2 inches of water pools on one side before reaching the center.

So, is it not level enough since the difference between the center and the deepest side is one inch? If it is not level, what can we put under the deeper side to level it out since it is on concrete? Thanks!



Hi Tammy. It sounds to me like you will be just fine. The only important measurements are those around the outer edge. To really find out how level your pool is measure from the top rail down to the water level. Do this in at least five places around the pool. You will probably be close to within and inch of being level. This is just a guideline, not a strict rule. If the pool is on concrete, and if the slope is even, and the pool is round, you can stretch that one inch by a little.