Level Your Above Ground Pool Area Without Heavy Machinery - Our Favorite Ground Prep Hacks

Installing an above ground pool in your backyard can be an exciting project, but improperly leveled ground can lead to cracks, tears, and other issues down the road. Properly grading and leveling the area where your pool will sit is crucial for structural integrity and longevity. But you don't need expensive equipment or excavation services to get your pool spot prepped. With some clever no-dig hacks, a few simple tools, and a bit of effort, you canlevel the ground and get it ready for your above ground pool installation.

By following thesepool ground preparation hacks, you can save hundreds or even thousands on excavation costs and still end up with a solid, flat surface for a structurally sound above ground pool.

Assess the Current Ground Level

Before determining how to go about leveling, you first need to understand the existing contours and grade of your yard. One easy way to do this is by using garden hoses:

• Fill several garden hoses with water, removing any kinks or bends.
• Lay the hoses in a zigzag pattern across the area where you plan to install the pool.
• Use a bubble level tool to check that the hoses are perfectly level and make adjustments as needed.
• Measure any low or high spots in relation to the hoses and mark them with spray paint or stakes.

This snake-like hose method gives you a good visual for any problem spots in the installation zone. Once you've mapped things out, you can move on to tackling the uneven terrain.

Level Low Areas with Sandbags

For low spots and depressions in the installation zone, sandbags can be used to bring the grade up:

• Fill heavy duty sandbags with sand and place them in the low areas.
• Cover the sandbags with a thin layer of soil, then compact it down firmly with a hand tamp or machine tamper.
• Check for level using your hoses and add or remove bags as needed.

The sandbags provide a no-dig way to fill in low spots and get depressed zones of the yard up to the proper elevation. Just take care to thoroughly tamp down the soil over the bags to prevent future settling.

Use Landscape Fabric for Soil Separation

When you have high and low spots close together, it's important to keep the existing soil and any fill material separated. This is where landscaping fabric comes in handy:

• Cut strips of the fabric and lay them between high and low areas of the yard.
• The fabric will prevent the soils from mixing together as you add fill material.

The landscape fabric acts as a simple barrier and helps maintain stable soil boundaries as you level everything out.

Fill Gaps with Leveling Compound

For narrow depressions and gaps between high points, a poured-in leveling compound is useful:

• Apply compound to low areas and use a trowel to smooth it out.
• Let the compound dry completely according to package directions.
• Once dry, compact with a hand tamper and check for level.

The compound will fill in low spots as it dries, helping bring the terrain up to grade. Just watch for any settling or shrinkage and be prepared to add more compound if needed.

Use Boards or Pallets to Cover Large Dips

In yards with significant ground depressions, boards or pallets can create an instant level surface when layered across the low spots:

• Arrange pallets or boards over major dips and hollows in the soil.
• Shim and adjust them until they form a flat, even plane.
• Cover the boards with soil and compact it down.

With enough wooden boards, you can practically build a new ground surface over the top of depressed or uneven earth. Just be sure to tamp it all down firmly.

Top with Gravel or Sand for Extra Stability

As a final step, applying a thin layer of gravel or sand across the leveled area provides extra stability and a nice, smooth surface for the pool foundation:

• Spread gravel or coarse sand across the leveled zone to desired thickness.
• Use a hand tamper or plate compactor to firmly compact the layer down.

This gravel topping helps secure the leveled ground and gives you a perfectly flat base on which to install your above ground pool.

Do Final Level Checks

Once the main ground prep is complete, re-check the entire area using your hoses and level tools:

• Lay hoses out in a zigzag and examine the area for any remaining uneven spots.
• Fill low areas with more leveling compound or shims as needed.
• Verify the surface is completely flat and level before moving ahead with the pool installation.

Being meticulous at this stage helps ensure no high or low spots were missed. Taking the time to properly level and prep the installation zone will pay dividends later by boosting the lifespan of your above ground pool.

Leveling and prepping the ground for an above ground pool doesn't require expensive excavation equipment. With handy no-dig hacks like using sandbags, landscape fabric, leveling compound, and boards, you can shore up low spots, fill depressions, and create a perfectly flat surface for your pool. While it takes some effort, doing the ground work yourself rather than hiring a contractor will save you big bucks in the long run. Follow the grading and prep tips outlined here, and you'll have a solid base for a structurally sound above ground pool for years of summertime fun.