Level ground a little off for Easy up?

[Bruce_B]

Hi All,

I'm planning to get an 18' 48" Intrex Easy up. I've used a laser level and tape measure to check the spot I have for it and the worst it's off is about 2". Some angles are off by 1" or less. Is that going to cause a problem with the pool? I don't mind if the water level is not perfect as long as the thing is structurally sound. Leveling the area would probably be more than what I want to do right now.

Thanks,

Bruce

[ssweaser]

If it's not level - mine was off by around 1" - you will definitely be able to tell and the pool will lean. If it's off by too much, the pool could collapse on you. With mine off by just that little bit it was very obvious, though never caused any major problems for us.

[slowtan]

1" or 2" should be easy to level. Just do it.

My pool was off 10" and I am glad I paid to have someone install it.

[Bruce_B]

I'm not really sure how to go about leveling the area. Too much of a change will have a negative effect on the rest of the yard. I'll see what I can do with it. I might set the pool up as is though and just see how it goes. Part of the problem is that the area is lumpy, so it's hard to tell if the whole area is off level or if it's just a bump I'm checking. I'll do some more checking of the area.

ssweaser, when you say "the pool could collapse on you" what do you mean? That sounds a bit scary.

Thanks again,

Bruce

[CarlD]

It means water pressure will build up on one side of the pool (the low side) until that side fails, creating a mini-Niagra falls. If the low side is toward your house, you'll get a flooded basement. If it's toward your neighbor's , you may get a lawsuit. EasySet donuts work best when the outward pressure all around is even. Anything more than 1" difference is probably going to fail. I think 1/2" is really the safe maximum difference.

What I would do, is dig down a couple of inches on the high side. Get it level, then put mason's sand over everthing to get it VERY level.

Or, since you only have 2", you could build a low-side retaining wall using a single row of retaining wall block--they are about 5" high. Put down landscaping cloth, and fill it with sand, and level it.

Then, using the EasySet tarp, cover the sand with it and put the pool up. I added grommets to the tarp using a grommet kit from a camping goods store. I like the plastic grommets better--they don't rot and they don't tear as much.

While I'm a big fan of EasySets as a beginner's pool (for learning pool maintenance) a MAJOR hole in the information they give you is the need and importance of a level site. Intex plays this down almost criminally. I learned the hard way and had to build a platform that rose about a foot at the low side--for a 15'x3' donut. I used a lot of decorative rock from when we rebuilt our fireplace, but I didn't think to use the landscaping cloth--so every season I had to replenish and re-level the sand.

[Bruce_B]

Thanks for the info. That's actually one reason I want to get this one right now is the learning experience of managing a pool. We would like to get an inground one day but won't be able to afford it for a while. We don't have basements around here so that's not a problem. One idea I had that wouldn't add a lot of expense was to till the whole area up (we already have a tiller) and then smooth and level it. I don't know how well that would work but it would only cost me my time and energy (and a little gas for the tiller). I'll see what happens and I'll definitely be lurking around this site to learn how to manage a pool. I've learned a lot already.

Thanks,

Bruce

[CarlD]

If you are going to use a tiller, I suggest that after you level it, you rent a powered tamper, and tamp the site.

[Bruce_B]

Probably a good idea. I'll see how it goes. I'm thinking after I till it and rake it fairly close to level I can saturate the area with a hose and use the water to get it perfectly level. Just work it with the rake until there is a thin, even layer of water all over the area. Maybe that's crazy. I've never had to get a part of the yard this level before.

Thanks,

Bruce

[Bruce_B]

I think my idea might have worked but it was probably the worst way to go about it. I just spent a back breaking day leveling a big shallow mud hole. Once it dries I'll be able to tell more but I think it's pretty close to level now. I may go get some sand tomorrow if it looks like it needs it. Anyway, I got the pool this morning so I'm ready to set up as soon as the site is ready.