Uneven water level

[Ken S]

As my pool is filling up (I have about 9 inches in the pool now) I notice there is a 2 inch differential. is this an acceptable level? Since its already August, do you think the pool can be used for the next month with this differential, then try to re-level next spring.

Also, how on earth do I "raise" one side of the pool by 2 inches.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[hrsdennis]

Hi Ken, It really depends on the pool and a few other installation factors. I am sure I could tell more with some photos. Most of the time two inches would be OK for a season.

Dirt or crushings are both good ways to fill a low area. Just don't try to level it with sand.

Best of luck, Dennis

[Ken S]

What are crushings. And how do I level a pool that has 18,000 gallons of water in it?

[sevver]

Crushings are made from stone, basically it is made form limestone, and it is a bit bigger than sand, and flat, like flakes. It compacts really well and will not wash like sand will because it is aggregate and has irregular edges that lock together better.

And as for how do you level a pool with 18000 gallons in it, you would need to drain the water out of it in order to do it, then you would need to lift the effected parts including the blocks and place the crushings under the blocks. So you would slide a block out, put the stone in there and put the block back in and then tap it down as good as you can to seat it. Personally I would also pull the liner back half way so you could get at both sides, but I would imagine that you could get away with not doing it, but keep in mind that as you remove the block you will also be undermining the pool as that sand will likely fall into the void where the block was. Then once you raise the most effected blocks, work your way back and fix the other ones if need be.

In a nutshell, what you are doing is doing it right the second time, which is a frustrating, time consuming and costly thing.

[Ken S]

Thanks
Doing this I see will raise the support, however wont I need to add sand under the liner as I would be afraid that just raising the pool wall, the liner bottom will be under the pool.

Would another option be to remove the half of the liner on the higher end and dig until it sinks to the level of the lower end.

Sorry for the very basic questions but Ive put so much money and time into this pool that other parts of our life are becoming undon and we're getting desparate.

[sevver]

You should add sand for the liner to be right too, sorry about that. And as far as lowering the high end, I suppose it would work, exactly the same, only backwards. It would be alot more work though IMHO. It is always easier to fill than cut, but however you look at it, I suppose that it would also require you to look at what would be easier for you, if the dirt is higher on the outside of the pool on the low side then go for the high side. Like if it were dug into a hill like. Do what is easiest that is for sure, but do it right, you will not be sorry.

[hrsdennis]

Sevver, great advice. Ken, a couple more points that might help. Raising is always easier than digging down. But if you are planning on reusing the existing liner I would do the side opposite the skimmer opening. That way you do not have to realign the openings. Make it a one day project so the liner does not shrink to much. If you raise the uprights I would definately add some more sand and resmooth before putting the liner back in place.

Best of luck, Dennis