Foolproof Guide to Leveling Sand for Your Above Ground Pool
Installing an above ground pool in your backyard can be an exciting endeavor, but improper site preparation can quickly lead to frustration. Achieving a completely flat and stable base is crucial before assembling the pool framework and liner--and that starts with properly leveling and compacting the sand layer that will support it over time.
In this comprehensive DIY guide, we walk through foolproof techniques for grading your land, transporting sand, using laser levels, operating compaction equipment, and more. Follow these key six steps and you'll have long-lasting pool enjoyment instead of constant battles with shifting ground and leaning structures.
Step 1: Selecting the Right Sand
Not all sand is created equal, so choose wisely depending on your climate and soil conditions. The optimal grade to meet compaction, drainage, and stability needs is usually coarse builders sand, though Mason sand also works well. Bank-run sand with various material sizes can lead to uneven settling issues.
Visually check that particles range from fine gravel to medium-sized pebbles without silt contaminants. Then verify composition and strength through lab testing if the source is unknown. Aim for uniformity: Single-sized particles compact better than blended mixes, offering firmer support.
Estimate needed amounts based on the square footage of level ground required under the pool framework. Allocate between 2 and 4 tons per 100 square feet area to achieve around 2 inches thickness after compaction.
Common Sand Pitfalls
Watch for potential "gotchas" during transport and handling:
- Under-ordering extra trips once spread. Ensure needed totals are delivered upfront.
- Allowing contamination from ongoing site work or weather exposure.
- Assuming compaction level based on volume alone. Particle sizes change density.
Step 2: Preparing the Base Ground Surface
Start by removing all vegetation, organic matter, and sharp debris from the installation area. Use tillers and compactors to break up and flatten the existing soil base. This consolidation also reveals hidden voids for inspection.
Grade the ground so water flows away from the central space, with a roughly 1 inch drop for every 8 horizontal feet. Laser levels, transit levels, or even a standard water level can help verify precise slopes and identify any low spots to address.
Achieving Flatness
Test flatness across the entire space, filling low areas with layers of crushed stone or compacted dirt as needed. Keep adding thin layers until getting to 0" variance across plane. Tamp constantly while building up to avoid settling.
A 4-foot level or laser line will pinpoint smaller dips and bumps for precision smoothing. Be patient--a perfectly flat pad is fundamental before adding ANY sand.
Step 3: Adding and Leveling the Sand
With graded base established, transport sand via wheelbarrow to minimize disruptions and begin dumping evenly around perimeter. Use a rake, lawn roller, and garden hose to help feather and spread piles until obtaining desired 2 inch average depth.
After full coverage, divide space into sections and utilize screed pipes or straight wood planks to gradually smooth everything into one continuous flat plane. Making constant passes back and forth, adjust highs and lows gradually until leveling instruments show zero variance across sand layer.
Compacting in Phases
Walk over entire surface, scoping for impressions or soft areas, then compact again using equipment like hand tampers, jumping jacks, or plate compactors if available. Complete this in several directions to squeeze air pockets for better density.
Let sand settle overnight after attaining full compression. Place boards on finished layer and recheck flatness the next day for any new indentions before proceeding, rectifying as needed.
Step 4: Installing Pool and Liner
With graded earth below and level sand atop, begin constructing above ground pool frame according to manufacturer specifications. Assemble bottom tracks first before erecting side panels and vertical supports.
During this phase, take precautions to protect liner from accidental punctures or tears. Cover protruding stubs or fasteners and avoid directly kneeling or walking on assembled steel sections whenever possible.
When liner arrives, clear sand completely before carefully unfurling entire sheet within frame footprint as a single piece. This prevents folds and damage while allowing custom tailoring for unique shapes if needed.
Preventing Sinkage
Pool legs sinking into sand overtime remains a common issue after assembly. Set concrete paver blocks below the liner perimeter to evenly disperse weight before filling to prevent this.
Foam pool cove pads also insulate against cold subsurface temperatures while providing supplemental structural stability across the entire bottom--especially in soft soils.
Step 5: Maintaining Levelness Over Time
Initially, carefully monitor water fill levels and distribution the first few days, ensuring the liner sides stay vertically aligned. Uneven hydraulic pressures can distort an otherwise properly installed structure.
Periodically check paver blocks and equipment pads haven't shifted or settled. Sand compaction can slowly loosen over years depending on site-specific conditions and usage.
Also inspect places where people enter and exit for uneven erosion. Refill any visible depressions immediately to stop progression and re-level affected areas as needed.
Long-Term Vigilance
Ongoing maintenance is vital for catching flatness variances early before they compound exponentially. Be proactive checking the entire perimeter each season for new dips, divots, or grading changes.
Use thin metal probe rods to test subsurface stability around supports, listening for soft hollow noises indicating looser soil beneath. Remedy these sinkholes by drilling drainage holes, backfilling with gravel, and re-compacting.
Step 6: Troubleshooting Common Mistakes
Despite best efforts, sand leveling mishaps still occur. We will review some typical errors and suggested solutions so you can get back enjoying pool time quickly.
Sloped Conditions
If laser levels suddenly show significant out-of-level readings days or weeks after assembly, don't panic--subsurface moving is likely the culprit. Confirm whether opposite sides have risen and fallen together or if one end alone drops.
General slopes mean underground issue like loose soils or hidden springs. Call experts for structural evaluation and corrections like helical anchors before attempting releveling.
Random dips or humps in the liner likely indicate compacted sand has shifted since installation. Mark each trouble area's depth variance then pump the water level several inches below to access sand.
Remove paver blocks/foam pads and carefully dig out indentations before backfilling with fresh sand mix. Recompact, double check flatness, and replace protective barriers before refilling pool.
By methodically following these foolproof tips for leveling sand under your above ground pool, you'll ensure maximum longevity and prevent frustrating structural problems from surfacing down the road--literally! Now dive in and start enjoying your refreshing backyard oasis.