Inspect your yard for the ideal location, avoiding trees, large rocks, and other structures beforehand.
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
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.
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.
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
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