How to level the ground for an above ground pool

[@matthewfrancis2967]

If you're still following this video, I did it today and it worked great. I live in Texas so crappy clay like dirt. About 4 hours start to finish and done. Great tip

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

Thank you I'm glad it helped, cheers from up here in Eastern 🇨🇦

[@keishadover6834]

I'll start tonight or tomorrow

[@frankthorpe3160]

I'm glad you explained that you have to keep checking the level as you go. Several videos on here tend to make you think all you have to do is drag a 2x4 around in a circle and Instant level occurs. Like Magic.

[@jackbenimble4281]

My pool is uneven, but I’m a cup half full kind of guy, I told my wife I made it so there was a deep end and shallow end for the kids 😂😂🧸🧸🧸

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

Lol, best comment to date lol

[@peanut7004]

😂😂😂

[@truckdriver47]

😂

[@Blessd-savingrace]

Lol, ours is WAY OFF

[@ArchAngelMx]

Same here. I said something similar. Our pool looks like it could collapse at any moment 🤭

[@KarleenRoberts]

Thank you! Need to level ground for pool. Had the two by four and level, but the nail and swing it around...genius!!! Thanks so much!!!

[@scratchgolf]

This is the way! kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5WTgn9_edhof7s&ab_channel=EricC

[@TDG_GAME]

Thanks for sharing the 2×4 trick. A couple of summers ago with my first pool I was just randomly trying to move a 4' level around on the ground trying to get it right.. needless to say it didn't turn out well and the pool floor had plenty of high and low spots in it. I'll definitely be doing your method when I set up my new one!

[@scratchgolf]

This is the way! kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5WTgn9_edhof7s&ab_channel=EricC

[@ronpaul9172]

I'm trying this out this week, in Idaho. :) So far, so good! Last year, I tried to eye-ball it....Safe to say, it didn't turn out well. lol. Thank you for the tips!

[@forextrader2464]

I just did this and its very important to make sure the ground is level before the pool goes up. My ground wasn't as level as it should have been. I have to tear the pool down this winter. I saw another YT video where they said it doesn't matter as long as the legs are level. Thats NOT true. Level the ground completely before hand. I have to redo now.

[@ocvp_tx6951]

Same, my dumbass thought placing pavers under the legs would help Lmaoo. Had to take it down last summer

[@stevedigre6467]

I thought I was dang near level this first year 2022. But, I realized I had to do something different when my 13 went and sat on each side and it was 4 inches difference. "my nose is underwater" on this side "my chin is touching the water on this side". Leveling this fall for next summer.

[@Casshern_Sin]

I have a seriously bumpy garden and have a 10,000 litre AG pool to put down. I will give this a go! Thank you 😊

[@seanf31]

Thank you so much for posting this. I have purchased the same pool but got stuck on the step of leveling the ground, and I in no way want to put up a pool on uneven ground. I had no idea how to level a ground because it's impossible to judge it by eyeballing it. This video was most helpful, now I'm looking forward to the next step which is this one, may be able to put up pool after all :)

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

Thank you :)

[@ericmuller3339]

How did it turn out?

[@johnoneill3109]

Another great thing to put down to prevent rocks from poking into the pool is insulation foam.

[@xxtyy]

Where do you get that? Hardware store?

[@stevedigre6467]

@@xxtyy the kid school floor mats that interlock like puzzle pieces work well and provides a soft cushion as well

[@Kristina-kl8hw]

My husband just put ours together and the ground is so unlevel. Thankfully it's not full yet! He wont be happy we have to start over. 😂🤣 thank you so much for this video!

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

Your very welcome

[@lmarierussell]

Mine toooo

[@tarallewellyn1694]

We are redoing 🤔

[@kristinsmithphotography]

@@tarallewellyn1694 We have to start over too... =(

[@gregie9999hotair1]

Our ground in back has a Ton of gravel so prep is important. Remove sod, and then rake rocks, use board to level and tamp down. Will be using stone dust first and then Mason sand and after each additional product has to be tamped down again same as the sand. But I can see this will be alot and I mean alot of prep to have a level successful installation. It's all in the preparation. I haven't even gone to pick up any materials yet, still removing concrete pad that was broken up. One more load of that and string trim area to clean up. The location for the pool isn't there where concrete was, a different location ackually in back yard on grass.

[@mskeakitty]

The tarp will compress and the rocks will poke through. Best to put sand on top of the gravel. Sand eventually cuts through the liner also so best to put old carpet over that and it lasts years

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

Great points, definitely putting several inches of sand down next year, great idea on the carpet, I'll have to keep an eye out for someone doing Reno's and tossing old carpet out.

[@_Lizz_]

I put foam insulation board down and tape the seams with gorilla tape. Makes the pool floor nice and smooth.

[@BrunoMoniz]

@@_Lizz_ did you put the foam on top of the sand or directly on top of the dirt?

[@_Lizz_]

@@BrunoMoniz I leveled the dirt then put the foam board directly on the dirt and covered the foam board with a tarp.

[@janineberger2042]

@@_Lizz_ what kind of foam board did you use ? Looking to cover an 18ft diameter pool on a budget

[@lily_is_awsome8453]

This is freaking genius, thank you

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

Simple but effective 👌

[@dozergetscrafty]

The pros say never try and raise a low end , your supposed to lower the high end. But with a more temporary pool ots probably fine. Good vid!

[@OzarkMountain]

Strictly because of the grou d being packed . So if you tamp the ground either way will work.

[@ivyb4351]

Do not lay any kind of rock down to level the ground even sand is not meant to level the ground sand is for how it feels on your feet and that is it I repeat do not put sand or Rock to level your ground

[@dundalkmacgyver800]

Gravel is a good way to puncture your liner.

[@joeburton7784]

How do you level for a rectangular pool? Would be getting either a 9x18 or 12x24.

[@davidlegkodukh6969]

I would strongly recommend buying a *Level* (At most hardware stores like Lowe's or home depot, bigger level is better). It will show you EXACTLY how leveled your floor is.

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

A bigger level would be much easier, that's my next purchase if I have to do it again

[@kurobauchiha1209]

Any way you can level a ground with just a shovel? We're unable to get all that stuff. I'd say our ground is only unlevel by a hair. It dips down in the center. Any tips would be highly appreciated.

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

You can, the pools are fairly forgiving if your off by a few inches

[@cookingwithcatrinatheitali9316]

I’m gonna have to level my yard fir my pool and this makes me think I can do it! Fingers crossed!

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

Best of luck, I hope this helps :)

[@UGotHookah]

Did you ever get your pull up I'm just putting my pull up hopefully sooner than later I don't know what the freak I'm doing but I have someone helping me hopefully they can figure it out

[@cookingwithcatrinatheitali9316]

@@UGotHookah not yet, me and my son gonna try maybe this weekend! I sure hope it works lol

[@UGotHookah]

@@cookingwithcatrinatheitali9316 what kind of pooll did you get send me an email I want to see what you got [e-mail]

[@UGotHookah]

@@cookingwithcatrinatheitali9316 I wish I had the confidence to do it I don't but I'm trying to ask someone to do it and I told them I would pay them but people are ridiculous they want $1,000 to level and put up a 15 foot pool that's a rip-off and a scam so I have to keep looking for someone to put it up cuz I know I can't do it but I definitely want to know what you got you should videotape it along the way so people can see how it went

[@jameswaldin9925]

You start with the lowest spot in the gravel and go all the way around and never fill in low spots. You take out high spots to match the low spots. Never put a pool over stones because they will make their way through eventually.

[@oooER1Nooo]

Was going to make this same comment, no one wants to dig but if you want it done right that’s the only way to go. If you fill low ground to match high, you don’t know how much settling will occur which can often be significant and you’re back to unlevel ground again.

[@govalgo11]

What size gravel

[@jamesdodds3195]

@@govalgo11 use sand. It won't puncture your liner

[@Ionizap]

@@jamesdodds3195 Mason Sand

[@Gtag-t79]

how do you keep your stake from pulling up out of ground? I tried this but the stake kept pulling out of ground.

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

My ground is pretty solid, but did have to check a few times to make sure it wasent pulling up

[@Mamaof20915]

Thank you so much for sharing this video!

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

Your very welcome:)

[@The_combat_trucker]

before I do this. I have extremley lumpy land. IF i use sand won't the sand over time just be pushed out from under the pool and make it uneven later over time?

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

It may a bit, this year I'll be adding a underlay pad over the sand for our new pool, hopefully the video of the new one should be up in the next 2 weeks.

[@Royce1982]

If there is a small dip in center will it make a difference?

[@elementalpedia]

Not ground cover lay carpet padding down instead of sand or ground fabric. It protects your pool and it makes the ground softer in the bottom of your pool.

[@Ionizap]

That's an awesome idea, I've been watching so many vides and never heard that mentioned.

[@Alexandra4JC]

Thanks for this video. I hope I can do this correctly.

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

Best of luck :)

[@claytonandry]

Thanks for uploading this video! I can’t wait to try it out in a couple months.

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

Your welcome

[@sheamckay]

great video thanks man!

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

Thanks!

[@darlenevalerio6462]

Was so very helpful!! Thank you!

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

Thank you 😊

[@thatfoxygamer5644]

You never put the pool on Molch gravel or stones

[@JoKool77]

Hey there thanks for uploading, I am giving it a try to do this today.

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

Thank you

[@sedilalove8756]

It's really easy

[@coreyallen958]

Same

[@mswildi]

Your method is fine, but if you're erecting a pool, I would strongly reccommend you first clear the area of all those pebbles. They will work right through your sand base a pierce your liner.

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

I agree, this year when we set it up again we will be adding alot more sand to the base

[@zfear6959]

Super informative- I was trying level strings arrayed around the area but this will be more manageable (assuming I can find a straight 10' piece of wood!). re- sand: i'm clearing desert topsoil with lots of rock embedded - is the trick that sand is just under the liner and the uprights remain on the native ground (to avoid shifting)?

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

That's what I would do, sand then something between the sand and liner (stops the liner from wearing on the sand)

[@1984kame]

for the wood, you could always use different pieces and lengths and attach them as long as they are straight and flat :)

[@zfear6959]

@@1984kame you're assuming I have the skills to do that and not create a Frankenboard or something. ;)

[@rhipul]

very informative. thank you. i learned a lot.

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

Your very welcome ☺

[@niyaspillaipalakkal6981]

If I fix this pool rooftop it's any issues for building?

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

They are really heavy when filled with water so you would have to see what your roof would be rated to safely hold. If it is you should have no problem with it there.

[@Learninggether]

Great ideas to level and build the pool!

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

Thank you :)

[@Jahida360]

My backyard is still right now Is full of grass and it's super bumpy we live in ☹️ I know that I have to do this I remember my father doing it as a kid.... And I'll be doing it on my own dose Not seem too easy

[@rhdtv2002]

Tiller would help..or sod cutter

[@sarahroberts3558]

Super helpful!! Thanks!

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

Your very welcome

[@ocvp_tx6951]

LMFAO!!! This is effen genius!! I’m definitely going to try this method lol

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

I hope it helps, cheers my friend:)

[@tarallewellyn1694]

We put on grass area that was leveled up with top soil (since not represented for sand). For the 14” pool how big was diameter of your pool spot?

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

I did about 18' diameter so I have about 2 feet extra all around the pool

[@ScottNewsam]

Thank you for this! I thought I had a my site level, but it turns out after filling it I am about 2.5-3" off. 18' diameter, 48" walls. Do you think this will be a problem? Next year I will try your method to make it more level.

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

If your only keeping it up for a few months then taking it down you'll be fine

[@ScottNewsam]

@@PovertyPointCustoms Yes. Will be taking it down when the season is over. In the colder climates over the winter like Long Island, I don't think these types of pools are meant to keep up year-round anyway. So we'll take it down, store it and then put it up again in the spring. Thanks for your thoughts. 👍

[@thomasnuzum4629]

what would you do if the pool was already up but not level AND NOT FULL of water should you move it ?

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

I would, then re level the low spot/s

[@Electronics-rs6ex]

We dug the poles down last year on the high side!

[@ivyb4351]

I'm not laying anything except roand ground covers just digging and made two raised garden beds for the dirt you will have free so might as well:)

[@stock7628]

If it's a concrete slab could i just add pavers under the pools posts? My slab looks level but i'm pretty sure it has an angle for rain to run off

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

As long as the papers don't rub against the pool liner your should be fine.

[@ivyb4351]

Weather was finally in our favor to be able to swim today

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

Your lucky, it's nice here but still not swimming weather:(

[@ivyb4351]

@@PovertyPointCustoms it will be soon:)

[@fazeob3d13]

Yea thanks for uploading know i now what to expect with my pool

[@TomiSalamiXD]

Thank you lol this was so smart I'm going to go do this right now lol

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

I hope it helps, made my leveling so much easier then guessing

[@albertramos6574]

Would this work on a bigger pool? I have a 26 foot round

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

You could use a 14 foot 2x4, that would give you a 28 foot diameter circle so this method should work fine

[@bbowen1751]

Great video, I thought I was going to have to hire someone to do this. What an easy method. How did you make sure it was compacted well, did you have to rent a machine. Thanks much!

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

The area has been compacted over the years but I drove over it many times with my old farm tractor which was 3500lbs which compacted it. A compactor from a rental company would be perfect to rent, in our area they are apx 85.00 a day but you would need a truck or small trailer to pick them up (in our area they charge apx 80 to deliver and pickup plus the cost of the rental).

[@keishadover6834]

WAS looking forward to the follow up assembly video mentioned at 7:07☹

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

There is one in the play list, as well as maintenace and how to take it down

[@scottylee79]

How did you add more wood to the the 2x4x10 to make it 17ft?

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

You start in the center and rotate the board, so a 10 foot 2x4 will rotate and give you a 20 foot circle (more roughly 18 depending on where the 2x4 is attached in the center)

[@omgitsofi.]

Help how long does my 4x2 have to be for a 15 feet diameter ?? Thank you

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

Mine was 10 feet, that gives you roughly a 20 foot circle when leveling. You could use an 8 foot for a 15 foot pool but the longer 2x4 gives a larger diameter circle.

[@omgitsofi.]

You’re awesome I’ll try it tomorrow. Thank you for the help !!

[@millysmindtrip1179]

Thanks. Good video. Curious how long it took you to complete it.

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

It took and hour or so by myself to setup, a few hours before hand to level the ground and APX 10-12 hrs to fill with our garden hose

[@jonathanmartin4098]

Do you know the spacing between each leg on the 14ft model?

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

There are 14 poles, so it is 3.14x14 then divided by 14 so roughly 3.14 feet between poles

[@lorihall5420]

Now would I just do it twice for an oval? This makes it look so easy

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

I actually just picked up the same pool but now 16 foot by 48 inches deep for this year (another round) which fit the area here well

[@seanf31]

I just finished doing this for the past two days, however I can tell by looking at my area that it is not level, it goes down on one side, what went wrong?? ..warped board maybe? ..all that time I spent doing this and I was very careful to make sure my level stayed level the whole time, what happened?

[@ivyb4351]

Did you buy your level from Harbor Freight

[@UnderARock]

Ivy b 😂😂

[@JessieBlueJay316]

I'd like to know how your pool linner held up to all that gravle?

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

I didn't have any issues but I layed plastic under it, this year we bought the larger version of the pool and will be getting a few tons of sand to put down as a smoother base first. Hopefully it will be setup in the next month and will be doing an updated video on it.

[@JessieBlueJay316]

@@PovertyPointCustoms thanks for the response. Most of the research I've done in the past few weeks I've found that the sand is a smooth barrier but not a safe bet for leveling (on its own) i do think i will use much of what i picked up from this video to level our space. Thanks for posting.

[@stephentrace4571]

Thanks for the vid!

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

Your very welcome

[@thisaintaracebutistilltake4201]

Can you link your pool in your description please?

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

www.walmart.ca/en/ip/summer-waves-14ft-elite-frame-pool/6000200596290

[@dFreemZ]

Do you recommend moving the sod first?

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

Definently, as the sod will die and start to decompose and will cause the ground to shift under it a bit.

[@aprilwaller123]

I would have dug up the rocks and just had dirt, no weeds ect.. then added sand on top, then level the ground. This is what I'm doing for my 20x48 pool.

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

This year it's getting a few inches of sand (I take it dow for the winter)

[@leyroy1980]

I do the same thing without sand As long as you take it down in the winter it'll last for years

[@josephbrown5525]

Thanks man!

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

Your welcome:)

[@Ttct50]

Only problem is loose soil will get pushed out and or down as you put water in.

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

You definitely want to make sure it is tamped down, your right the weight of the pool will definitely compress the ground below it.

[@Ionizap]

Anyone have any good ideas on how to strip sod. This guy didn't have to. Edit: Sod cutter?

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

If it's not a large area I've used a spade shovel to get under and lift up the sod (I've used this method for flower beds etc)

[@samcala5064]

Thank you!!!!!!

[@JoseRodriguez-wj7iq]

This is simple but should help. Thanks for the video

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

Your very welcome

[@jesswhyuwannaknow930]

Can i install the pool on concrete?

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

You can but would need something between the liner and the concrete as it would wear a hole in it quit fast. You can actually purchase a pool floor pad that is similar to a thin foam that you can put on top of the concrete, then the pool will go on top of the pad.

[@jesswhyuwannaknow930]

PovertyPointCustoms thanks for the quick response! Leveling the ground in my backyard looks overwhelming...but i have a concrete slab back there as well figured it would be more simple ....thanks

[@crazydonutface]

@@jesswhyuwannaknow930 just check it for level, most concrete is pitched to allow water runn off...

[@carpet180]

jess whyuwannaknow Yes we put one on our concrete patio slab we put carpet padding underneath. Lay the carpet padding put up pool and cut the excess padding around the pool leaving about an inch so you dont cut pool lol

[@janineberger2042]

@@carpet180 how much for the carpet padding?

[@tylerhardin8279]

Thank you for the tutorial!

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

Thank you:)

[@mikeschiavoni5973]

Gonna be steppin on rocks.

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

It's getting a few inches of Sand this year on top

[@ivyb4351]

I wouldn't add rocks or sand there's great foam available now if your yard is really Rocky to start

[@janineberger2042]

@@ivyb4351 what type of foam are you talking about? Need to cover a an 18ft pool

[@ivyb4351]

@@janineberger2042 first dig the highest side down to the lowest side that is a must!!!! We dug 8 inch on one side and have you seen those foam blocks daycares use that they click in together they make those for pools they're all blue and they're really soft and Squishy on feet so comfy a cheaper option is to go to a sign shop where they put Billboards up you can buy the old Billboards for $25 they're thicker than any tarp you can buy

[@janineberger2042]

@@ivyb4351 do you know off hand how much the foam blocks cost per square foot? Even a rough estimate. I'll have to Google billboard companies in my area too just in case. My kids are getting anxious about getting the pool up really soon.

[@jamesbellamy7235]

Yea but did u have sod before

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

No it was a playground area before

[@mattbray42]

Sorry but why would lay a pool over top have rocks like that yeah u have tarp that will not work cuz all the water u will still feel the rock and u will have holes in it.

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

This year it's getting several inches of fine sand as the top layer (bags of plays sand is all we can get in our area), I have 25 bags coming on Friday (tomorrow)

[@modifiedbear6178]

I'll give you 300 bucks to come set mine up.

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

Sure lol

[@modifiedbear6178]

@@PovertyPointCustoms where are you located in Ontario

[@ksiezniczka6911]

Bro whos putting the gravel under the pool ? XDD

[@ronskeez916]

So basically impossible

[@PovertyPointCustoms]

Not impossible, just a bit of work

[@richardburgess5215]

Enjoy the holes in the bottom of the pool from that gravel.