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leveling ground for a pool without digging

How to Level Ground for a Pool Without Digging

Learn 3 Easy Ways how to level the ground for a new above ground pool without digging using either dirt, crushed rock, or sand.
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Cook Time 1 day
Total Time 1 day

Equipment

  • Tamper
  • Rake
  • Shovel and Wheelbarrow
  • Long I Beam Level

Ingredients
  

  • Crushed Rock -or- Likely limestone
  • Masonry Sand -or-
  • Dirt -or-
  • Water
  • Long 2x4 about the length of your pool radius
  • Metal Stake
  • Rope

Instructions
 

Before Leveling the Ground

  • Inspect your yard for the ideal location, avoiding trees, large rocks, and other structures beforehand.
    inspecting yard for above ground pool
  • Check your local zoning requirements and how far away from your property edge the pool must be.
  • Clear out any plants and grass in the area you want to level.
  • Correct any noticeable unevenness such as rocks, boulders, etc.
  • Mark the center of the pool area and drive a stake through a long rope at the center.
  • Measure out the radius of your pool along the length of the rope, plus another 6 inches.
  • Draw a line around in a circle using the rope and a can of spray paint to mark the circumference of your pool plus 6 inches.

Set up your Leveling Guide

  • Grab a nice and straight 2×4 that is about as long as the radius of your pool. One end should be sitting at the center mark of your pool
    leveling ground for a pool without digging
  • Lay the board on-end, and fasten a long I-beam level (like this one) to the center of it
  • You’re going to swing the level around the circle, keeping the one end on the center point the whole time. This is the easiest way to check the overall level of the area.

Leveling the Ground Option 1: Crushed Rock

  • Tamp down all the dirt inside your circle using a manual or automatic tamper.
    crushed rock for leveling ground for pool without digging
  • Lay down the crushed stone
  • Pack the stone using the tamper, rechecking for level and continually adjusting using your 2x4 and I-Beam level you set up previously.

Leveling the Ground Option 2: Land Grading

  • Rake and Tamp the area inside the circle until mostly level.
  • Add extra dirt to any low spots in order to bring up to level
  • After the ground is mostly leveled, water it well and roll it using a heavy roller.
  • Tamp and recheck for level again.
  • Recheck for level and continually adjust using more dirt, watering, and tamping, and using your 2x4 and I-Beam level you set up previously.

Leveling the Ground Option 3: Masonry Sand

  • Tamp the dirt as described in previous 2 options.
  • Add masonry sand and spread a layer about 2 inches thick across entire pool area.
    masonry sand for leveling ground for pool without digging
  • Rake, Water, and Tamp.
  • Recheck for level and continually adjust using your 2x4 and I-Beam level you set up previously.

Video

Notes

Video courtesy of Hoov45
Keyword above ground pool, installing a pool, leveling ground, leveling ground for pool, leveling without digging, new pool, no digging, without digging
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