Level Sand for Intex Pool

How do you level the sand because our yard is not level?

Thanks

Hi.

Sand should only be used as an even cushion over level dirt. The pool area should be completely leveled with dirt and possibly crushed granite if needed. Granite is good if an area needs raised because it packs very solid.

The best way I know of to level the ground is with a transit or laser level. They are available at rental shops. The shop personnel should be able to show you how to operate them. The other options for leveling the pool area are a 2 x 4 with a carpenters level or a water hose level.

Once the ground is level and packed you can bring in a couple inches of sand. This would provide a good base for an Intex pool. Keeping the layer of sand thin prevents the pool from shifting and also reduces the footprints you will make when you install it.

Leveled Ground With Sand

by Dave
(Michigan)

I recently installed my 16' x 48" ultra metal frame pool and have a concern. We had to build up a portion of our yard with mason sand about 8 inches to make it level. The pool was completely level as we started to fill it.

What I have noticed is that now that it is full with water, a couple of the legs have sunk a little into the sand causing a small area I assume from the weight(maybe 3-4 ft wide to be about 1"-2" uneven from the rest of the pool). I used a tamper to make sure the sand was compacted prior to filling the pool.

2 questions:

1) Should I be concerned that the pool will sink more as we use it?

2) Will this small area being off by 1-2" be cause for concern that it will buckle or break? I don't seem to see any abnormal stress on the legs so far.

Hi Dave.

Sand is not what you should have used to build up an area as it will not pack and will always be shifting. Dirt, or crushed granite, are both much better for building up an area for an above ground pool. Having a firm solid foundation is important. Sand should only be used as a thin cushion to set the pool on.

If all the legs were set on blocks, this would help a lot. The other thing you can do is to make sure the sand is boxed in, or contained in some way. If the sand starts to fall away around the outside of the pool you might be in big trouble.

With the sand boxed in, and the posts on blocks, you might be OK.

Pavers and the Tarp

by Linds
(Phoenix AZ USA)

I am putting up a 22'x52" roud intex pool. I have the land leveled around the area I want to put it up. I have read that it is helpful to put the upright supports on a 12x12 paver so there isn't sinking- which I can totally do. My question is do the pavers go under the tarp that is supplied that traditionally goes under the pool or do they lie on top of the tarp? I would think on the bottom so that the top of the paver can be level with the ground but I didn't want to assume....
Thanks for helping - the last thing I want to do is mess it up and bust up the pool.
thanks

Hi I install the blocks under the tarp.