Balancing Land Gradient to Position an Intex Pool
Installing an above-ground Intex pool in your backyard can provide countless hours of fun for the whole family during the warmer months. However, in order to ensure proper function and longevity of your Intex pool, it's imperative that you create a solid base by leveling the ground beneath the pool frame.
Uneven terrain puts undue strain on the pool walls and liner, causing pooling of water on one side that could lead to premature failure. By taking the time to correctly grade and smooth out the chosen area first, you'll avoid many common pitfalls that ruin the pool installation and enjoyment down the road.
Assessing the Area and Planning Modifications for an Intex Pool
The ideal spot for an above-ground pool has naturally occurring level ground with grass or bare earth. While a concrete patio or paver stones would be preferable for stability, this smooth and flat surface is expensive to install.
Check for level ground by placing a long piece of string on the surface and lining it up with a line level tool . Adjust or move the string around the intended pool location to detect any uneven or sloping areas.
Measuring and Visualizing the Pool Layout
Based on the ground's condition, you'll have some idea of the work required to flatten and smooth the installation site. Outline where you want to erect the Intex pool with spray paint or flour. Refer to the pool's package directions for appropriate dimensions and layout .
This perimeter will clearly show high and low zones. For example, you may discover a portion of the lawn needs to be filled in where a hole used to be. Or finding low-lying topsoil needing a boost in other areas.
Identifying High and Low Areas to Address
Creating consistency across the entire pool footprint area is the goal. String and line levels help locate and calculate soil depth to be moved. Generally, it's best to dig out high points rather than dump loads of dirt into dips and holes.
Use wooden stakes and string to split the zone into workable sections. The aim is getting measurements that vary by no more than an 1" across all sections. Pay attention to slopes and tilting areas too by testing different angles and points along string lines.
Tools and Materials Needed to Level Ground for an Above-Ground Pool
With the shape and measurements mapped out, it's time to gather supplies and equipment to alter the landscape. Having the right intools and materials readily available will make a time-consuming job much more manageable.
Necessary Equipment for Ground Preparation
While shoveling by hand is an option, renting a mini excavator or investing in a used walk-behind trencher turns over soil more efficiently. These motorized tools take the intensive manual labor out of digging up and removing dirt to a dump truck for disposal.
A hand tamper, rake , buckets, and a wheelbarrow will also be essential during the groundwork phase. And don't forget eye protection, thick work gloves, dust masks, ear plugs, and steel-toed boots for safety.
Recommended Supplies for Grading and Leveling
Having enough measuing tools on hand ensures you can check for proper slope, depth, and levelness often. Use a laser line level combined with stakes and string to calculate the margin of error over the whole site.
Use wooden 2x4 boards with water tubes or line levels set across them to find dips needing filling. A long screed board is then worked across the fresh soil or sand for smoothing. A hand tamper finally compacts loose aggregate to prevent settling shifts once the Intex pool walls are erected.
Preparing and Marking the Installation Site
Sadly, few backyards feature smooth, flat, and spacious vacant space ready for an above-ground pool install. Some clearing and prep work must usually happen beforehand.
Digging Out and Removing Soil Mounds
Eliminating uneven terrain and filling in holes may mean relocating many yards of topsoil. Before digging, call 811 to get underground utility lines marked to avoid striking any buried cables or pipes .
Then use an excavator bucket to strip away turf down to undisturbed earth. Adjusting grade by as little as a half-foot may require removing up to 5-7 yards of soil from high areas. Be methodical and precise when digging for maximum control.
Hauling in Topsoil to Raise Lower Sections
In addition to hauling off excess clay and rock debris, multiple loads of quality loam fill dirt must be brought in by the cubic yard. Dump trucks can deposit soil piles evenly across low zones. Then a small tractor or skid-steer gently spreads fill without over compaction .
A proper moisture level in hauled-in aggregate allows it to be consolidated and flattened effectively. Use shovels, rakes and screed boards to smooth grading layers before compacting further.
Using a Tamper to Compact and Smooth the Leveled Surface
The last stage before installing the Intex pool structure is densifying the layer of backfill just below grass level. With measurements confirming levelness, consolidate the entire area outlined by the pool kit instructions.
Working Topsoil With a Hand Tamper
Use a heavy cylindrical hand tamper like a jumping jack to resettle and flatten the ground. Saturate soil with water between compression cycles to reach optimal dampness. Let it dry out enough to withstand weight without leaving marks or shifting easily.
Make systematic passes across the workspace to hit all weak points. Flip tamping boards over occasionally to keep the flat base steady. Take care around lawn edges and any remaining landscaping.
String lines provide guidance when smoothing soil manually or by machine. But for real precision, calibrated leveled tools detect even the slightest deviation. Handheld rotary laser levels shine flat 360deg planes of rotating light.
Slowly scan the beam around the tamped area, marking high and low points with spray paint or stakes. Verify the surface doesn't slope more than around 1/8" every few feet. Compare gradients in multiple directions.
By diligently working through the leveling process, that dream Intex pool can soon become a reality. Just be sure to budget ample time and energy for this crucial site preparation. But the effort pays dividends in worry-free enjoyment for years.