Quote Originally Posted by Watermom View Post
We have a slope, too. We built a retaining wall around the pool, leaving enough space to walk around the perimeter of the pool. We buried a piece of flexible corregated perforated pipe in this space and directed the water away from the pool. I don't know what you call it, but there is some kind of a cloth sleeve that the pipe was put inside. It lets water in but keeps dirt out. Then, we covered the pipe with rocks. It seems to have worked as we have never had an issue with water.

There are some pics in the following thread that were taken when we replaced the pool a couple of years ago. You can't see the drainage pipe, but you can see the retaining wall.

http://pool9.net/wm-pool-advent/
Thank you! This wall looks really nice. I do have a question though. When it rains, does the water not get between the retaining wall and the ground that's against it? Is that bad?

Quote Originally Posted by Pappy View Post
the easiest way I know of to check for level is to use a STRAIGHT 2X4 and a level. For a 16' pool, get a 10' 2"X4" and drill a 1/2" hole about 1' from one end. This will give a bout a 1' perimeter around the pool that has been leveled which will ease setting the blocks for the legs.
Drive a stake in the center of the pool area
http://www.lowes.com/pd_17199-157-05...r|1&facetInfo=
then fit the stake through the hole in the board. You can now rotate the board around the circle with a level on top of the board. This will show low and high spots and over all level (or lack thereof) of the area. A 9" torpedo level would work, but a 2" level would be better.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Johnson-2...1?N=5yc1vZc1zq

Good Luck!

Pappy
You're awesome! This is really detailed. I was using an old 2x4 I got from my brother-in-law's remodel, and taped a 2' level to it already, but I just found out it's not straight, so I think I'll go buy a 10' 2x4 and a stake to do this right.

Can anyone give me any ideas on how I can re-direct rain/pool water runoff? Preferably with links to the products (or instructions for a free option)?