Re: Wall height difference...
I guess I need to explain a little more on my theory of the correct level tolerance for an above ground pool.
Most instruction manuals allow a 1” tolerance for warranty purposes. This is a good rule of thumb for anyone. Pools just look a lot better when they are level.
It was over twenty years ago the last time I had a customer question the level of a pool I had built. When I went to look at the pool one side had settled a little and the overall difference was 1 ¼”. I ask that we drain the pool so I could make it perfect. If a pro can’t build a pool at least within a ½” every time they should find a new occupation.
I change liners in and service a lot of homeowner installed pools. Those are the ones I am talking about. When someone puts hours and hours of hard work into building a pool it’s tough for me to say that the pool is over an inch out of level and is therefore not safe.
There are so many factors involved there is no right number for every case. In the above example I based my opinion on several factors. This pool was installed on a solid granite foundation. This pool also has an external buttress system. I also know this pool has a foam base with a preformed pool cove. All of these things point to a good solid construction that will accept a little more variance level wise. If this pool were a buttress free design, on a sand base, with a sand cove I would want more info before I would suggest they might be ok 2” out of level.
A big factor with regards to safety is what’s going on around the pool. A pool 2’ in the ground can be 6” out of level and be perfectly safe. They don’t look so pretty but they are safe. A pool set in the ground a little or one with a good birm built around it tends to be little more tolerant level wise.
I use a laser level and set all of my pools as close to perfect as possible. I recommend for everyone to do it that way. I also recommend patio blocks, mostly because they are such a good leveling aid. If you have twenty or more patio block all set at exactly the same number it is hard to build an out of level pool.
Sometimes a lot of hard work goes into something that is just not perfect. Those are the ones that have to be looked at case by case, pool by pool.
Matt brought up some good points and I hope I have convinced everyone I am not a fan of out of level pools. To dump all of that water, run the risk of the liner shrinking, and putting many more hours of labor and money into the pools is something that does need some thought. And as for 2" in 16' = 4" in 32'. I see it just the opposite. The larger the pool the more level it should be. The smaller the pool the more tolerant. Oval buttress pools even more so, they are so well supported on the sides.
Later, Dennis
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks