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Going for a relaxing swim is just what everybody needs in this hot weather. Unfortunately, not everyone already has a pool built in their homes. However, if you have free space in your backyard, you may be a candidate for constructing your own. In this guide, we will walk you through how to level your ground before beginning to create your pool.
Why Do We Need to Level the Ground for a Pool?
For a safe swimming experience, laying a leveled foundation is essential. Uneven surfaces can damage an above-ground pool as the water level will not be equally distributed, and the structure of the pool will be weak.
Tools Required to Level the Ground for a Pool
Here is everything you will need to level the ground for your pool:
1. Sod Cutter
2. Wide Rake
3. Wheelbarrow
4. Wide Shovel
5. Rolling Tamper
6. Wooden Board
Things to Keep in Mind Before Leveling the Ground for Your Pool
If you do not have anyone available with experience in using the tools mentioned above, we strongly recommend hiring a professional. Leveling the ground for a pool is physically taxing, and you may injure yourself if you are inexperienced with the work required. If you believe your physical condition can handle such labor, then you can follow the guidance below to be able to level the ground yourself. To make this task easier for yourself, we advise you to keep these points in mind:
- Select an area of the yard that is not muddy or sandy to level the ground for your pool.
- Be sure not to pick an area near any trees because you will end up cleaning leaves from your pool daily, making daily maintenance needlessly more arduous.
- Choose a relatively flat area.
- Avoid areas with large obstacles nearby, as you might also be setting up stairs, pool accessories, or slides.
- Ensure that the chosen area has no pipelines or underground cables running below.
Leveling the Ground for a Pool: Step-by-step Guidance
Step 1: Choose the perfect area
The very first step involves the selection of the ground you are leveling. Refer to our above guidance and ensure the area is flat and far from big obstacles and trees. Make sure there are no pipelines or cable lines underneath the site you choose.
Step 2: Remove the grass and rocks
For the second step, you need to use a shovel to remove the grass from the area you have chosen to level. Make sure to remove all rocks and debris from the site as well and clean up after you have finished.
Step 3: Use grass and weed killer
Not only do you have to remove the grass, but you will also need to ensure that it does not grow back again. A sod cutter will help you eradicate all the grass, pulling out all the short plants so that no roots are left behind in the grass. Apply grass and weed killer powder or liquid, so they do not grow there again.
Step 4: Fix the holes
Now that all the plants and grass are gone, the surface left behind is probably unsightly. Holes and bumps will be scattered everywhere that you will need to fix to smooth out the area. You can either fill all the gaps with more soil or dig out the bumps. Filling the holes can easily result in more lumps, so it is better to dig out the ones already there. Take a shovel and start scooping the soil to make the area flat. If the ground is significantly bumpy, you can rent more heavy-duty equipment to dig out the bumps and finish the job more efficiently. Otherwise, identify all the raised patches and use the shovel to dig out the soil as best as you can.
Step 5: Check the levelness
After making the surface as flat as it can be by digging out the bumps, you need to review the level of the area. Use a wooden plank or board to check the uneven surfaces and make them evenly leveled.
Step 6: Tamping the soil at the surface
After leveling the surface, tamp the soil to make it firm; this will strengthen the support system of the pool. Before tamping, water the soil using a garden hose. Now use the rolling tamper to compact it. If you cannot find a tamper, there is actually a common alternative that you can use instead: a drum filled with water.
Step 7: Layer with sand
Now, you must pour at least a ton of masonry sand on the surface. Spread the soil evenly throughout the area and make sure the layer of sand over the soil is 1-2 inches thick. Roll over it with the tamper (or the alternative drum filled with water). Check if the sand contains any rocks or debris. If there are any of these, be sure to remove them. The sand should be distributed evenly and levelled correctly.
Step 8: Pour fungicide and herbicide
Like soil, sand can also grow plants that will damage your pool. So, after leveling the sand, pour some herbicide and fungicide to ensure your pool does not get overgrown.
Step 9: You are done! (Start setting up the pool)
After completing the eight steps listed above, you have finished leveling the ground for your pool. Now, you are ready to start building your pool however you like!
We hope you enjoy beating the heat!
FAQs:
1) Can I make a pool on the balcony or somewhere on the roof?
It is fun to imagine having a pool with a great view that is high above the ground. Unfortunately, unless your house is built to accommodate such a modification, you cannot construct a pool on your balcony or roof because of its heavy weight. The weight of the water will cause the floor underneath to collapse, and if it is on your roof, you risk your roof falling in on you.
2) Can I build an above-ground pool directly on the grass without removing it first?
Doing this will cause significant damage to your pool before you have even constructed it, and eventually, you will experience leakages.
3) Can I make the ground level by filling the holes instead?
Yes, you can. You can simply fill the lower levels with crushed limestone or masonry sand.
Conclusion
Leveling the ground for a pool is key to laying the foundation you need to build a pool. Always keep in mind the precautions mentioned earlier while selecting the area where you want to install your pool. Leveling the ground should be done with great care; make sure not to leave out any steps as you risk ruining it. We hope we have helped you in your first steps towards building a breathtaking pool!
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