Keep Your Above-Ground Pool Sturdy With This Easy Leveling Method

Is your above-ground pool looking a little crooked lately? Over time, outdoor pools can become unleveled due to factors like uneven ground settling or the enormous amount of weight and pressure from the water inside. If your pool is off balance, one side straining lower than the rest, don't panic. With the right tools and techniques, you can safely re-level your pool without needing to drain all the water first.

Properly leveling an above-ground pool is crucial for maintaining its structural integrity and preventing damage. When the weight of the water inside is concentrated more heavily on one area, it puts excessive strain on the pool walls and frame. The end result can be bent panels, liner tears, framework cracks, or even collapsed walls. No one wants to deal with a broken pool, so stop minor unleveled issues before they become drastic.

Detect If Your Pool is Unbalanced

How can you visually determine if your above-ground pool is uneven and in need of leveling? Here are a few telltale signs to look for:

• The water level itself appears slanted or uneven on different sides
• The vertical pool walls look slightly bent or crooked
• The pool floor seems to slope to one side
• Using a basic level tool shows opposite sides are not plumb

Even a minor imbalance can cause disproportionate strain over time. Don't ignore small issues early on or they could lead to irreparable damage. When in doubt, grab a level and double check that your pool is sitting flat and true all around.

The Risks of Letting Your Pool Become Unleveled

What exactly happens when you allow an above-ground pool to remain unleveled? The downward force of the water weighs heavily wherever the pool is lowest. This progressively strains the materials in that area beyond their limits:

• Pool walls can dent, bend, crack, buckle inward, or even fully collapse
• Liners may crease, tear, or develop leaks
• The metal framework can warp and weaken
• Fastening points between panels loosen
• The entire structure becomes unstable

The most catastrophic scenario is when a pool section gives way and bursts from the immense water pressure, rapidly flooding the surrounding area. Damages from an unleveled pool can be extremely costly and difficult to repair. Prevent this headache by taking action at the first signs of any imbalance issue.

When Should You Check and Correct Pool Leveling?

To keep your above-ground pool in top shape for years to come, add "check pool level" to your routine maintenance to-do's. It's smart to examine the balance and make any needed alignments:

• During regular seasonal opening and closing
• After periods of heavy rain or snowmelt
• If you notice visual signs its off level
• Every few years as ground settles over time
• When installing the pool originally

Don't just set it and forget it. Staying vigilant ensures you can remedy minor issues before irreversible structural catastrophes occur. A perfectly level pool equals a longer-lasting pool.

Gather the Necessary Tools

Leveling an existing above-ground pool does not require elaborate equipment. You likely have most of the simple tools needed already in your garage or toolkit.

For very small leveling jobs, a pry bar, boards, and a hand sledgehammer can substitute for a jack. But for best control and safest results, invest in a quality jack designed for heavy loads. Don't take chances with make-shift tools when undertaking structural realignment.

Step-By-Step Guide to Re-Leveling Your Pool

Ready to get your above-ground pool back to its balanced beginnings? With a little time and some elbow grease, these steps will have you lounging in a perfectly placid pool again:

1. Determine Which Side is Low

First, do a walk around your pool's entire exterior and interior to identify which side or section sits lower than the rest. Use a two-foot level tool placed vertically against the panels and horizontally along the floor:

• Check opposite walls for plumbness and mark any low spots
• Scan the floor for slopes and divots
• Double check by gauging the water level heights

Chalk lines come in handy for clearly marking the problem areas. Locating the pool's low points will dictate where lifting and support needs to occur.

2. Lift Up the Low Section

Here comes the heavy lifting - literally. With the low side marked, now carefully jack up that side just enough to slide some support blocks underneath. Take precautions not to lift too abruptly or quickly:

• Remove a bottom panel for safe jack access to the frame
• Position jack gradually under sunken side, avoiding utilities
• Pump jack to raise pool no more than 1/4 inch at a time
• Place blocks beneath frame as you lift for support

Having a helper make the lift nice and steady while you slide in blocks saves frustration. Let the water's counterbalance keep the pool stable. Slow and minimal lifting protects the structure.

3. Make Alignment Adjustments

Now examine your level again. Are both sides reading plumb? If not, keep adding blocks under the sagging areas until equilibrium is achieved. You may need to lift slightly more in certain spots. Take your time and double check your work:

• Stack additional blocks where they're needed
• Use shims or wedges for minor gap filling
• Check floor levelness as well as side walls
• Visually inspect the straightness of panels

Getting everything meticulously lined up on all planes takes patience. Don't rush through this intricate process.

4. Verify Levels and Make Final Tweaks

You're so close to pool party perfection. Run through your level checks one more time, making any final micro-adjustments necessary:

• Look for level water line on all sides
• Double check side wall plumbness
• Ensure floor is evenly flat
• Do panels align cleanly?
• Make any final shim or block additions

Now admire your stable, rebalanced pool! Top up the water level to the correct height and start enjoying your leisurely swims again. Just be sure to close up any unsecured openings to prevent accidents.

Maintain Proper Leveling Ongoing

Putting in the work to properly level your above-ground pool helps safeguard its structural longevity. But don't stop assessments once it's realigned. Follow these tips to keep your pool happy and balanced for years on end:

• Periodically recheck the level - Don't let small issues go unnoticed
• Monitor ground slope around the pool - Prevent settling or erosion
• Repair liner damage immediately - Stop leaks before they spread
• Add water to keep pool full - Prevent uneven settling when empty
• Examine the pool walls and corners - Ensure panels are tight and secure

By staying vigilant with routine checkups and maintenance, you can avoid the headaches of major unleveled pool problems down the road. Keeping your pool properly balanced equals keeping pool enjoyment flowing.

Dealing with an unleveled above-ground pool may seem daunting at first. But with the right tools and some mechanical advantage, safely realigning your filled pool is totally doable. Just take precautions, work slowly, and double check your level measurements at each stage.

Following a good maintenance plan prevents minor balancing issues from becoming major disasters too. So bust out that level tool regularly! Remember, patience and little lifts keep your pool party going all season long. Just be sure to inspect overall ground slope, repair liner damage promptly, and refill to full to prevent uneven settling year after year. With routine care, your sturdy, level pool will provide endless fun without issue.