It’s likely that your pool has settled if you notice that the water level is uneven while you’re in it. Heavy rains, shifting ground, or simply one of the support posts losing its footing can all contribute to this. This can eventually lead to your pool continuing to lean, and in some instances—when there is a difference in the water level of more than an inch—total pool collapse But don’t worry! This is fixable.
Although leveling an above-ground pool with water inside is not simple, it is possible with some preparation and assistance.
What Causes an Uneven Pool?
The development of wrinkles in your pool’s liner is one factor that could give it an uneven appearance. The shape of the pool or whether the uprights are vertical are two additional factors.
Your pool may be leaking, the skimmer or return fitting may not be secure, or both, which would cause the surface to be wet and cause the pool to sink. The pool can also be set up on an uneven surface by a do-it-yourselfer without anyone noticing.
Your pool will be uneven for all of these reasons, which need to be fixed as soon as feasible. The biggest sign of a poorly installed pool, though, is that the pool is “off-level.”
You can tell if your above-ground pool is level or uneven by looking at the tile lines or pattern liners. Because water typically levels out, you cannot tell if your pool is irregular by looking at the water level.
What Should the Level of An Above-Ground Pool Be?
You must first understand that a swimming pool cannot be placed perfectly level, even by a skilled installation. Our goal is to get the closest thing to perfection.
If your pool is around 1/8 inch off, or 1/4 inch off for an oval type, you should be happy.
One Inch Off?
Above-ground pools require a level ground. The water level of your pool will be higher on the side which is an inch lower than the other. Any roughhousing or jumping into the water will cause it to spill out. That’s not a big concern, but you’ll need to add water regularly, and over time, that will wear down the sidewall.
Two or More Inches Off?
A severe issue arises if the difference between the two sides is two inches or greater. Water never changes its level no matter what you do, so a two-inch difference puts a lot of water pressure against the lower side’s wall. The walls are constructed to distribute the weight of the water.
When one side is carrying more weight than the other, it will start to bulge. The wall will crumble if kept in that condition. How quickly this occurs will depend on how much water is in your pool. It can take hours, days, or even weeks.
Also Read: How to Get Rid of Water Bugs in Pool- an Expert Guide
What Happens if Above Ground Pool Isn’t Level?
Think about the following: some of your family and friends are lounging just a few feet away on a bright evening while others are enjoying an afternoon in your pool. The waves created by the children playing cause the poolside to suddenly rip open or the pool to lean.
Before anyone can do anything, children and 28 tonnes of water, or more than 17,000 gallons, flood the yard, dousing poolside patrons. Children are coughing from having water in their mouths and noses. There are screams heard, and fortunately, there are only a few minor injuries.
What You’ll Require
Tools and Resources
- A flat shovel
- Spade shovel
Materials
- Various cantilevers and support components are made of wood.
- stones, bricks, or pavers.
- Backfill substance
How to Level an Above Ground Pool with Water in It
Method 1: Make Use of A Shovel
Step 1: Keep Supplies at A Distance
To start, make sure you have all of your supplies close at hand in case you need to move fast once the pool has been raised. Set up all of your supplies and tools close to the post you intend to raise, and have your assistant wait nearby while keeping a tight eye on the swimming area.
Step 2: Pool Should Be Drained to Below the Skimmer Mouth.
Although it is not required, draining the pool to below the skimmer mouth will improve your chances of success and reduce risk. With less water, it will be simpler to raise the pool back into position and less strain will be put on the liner and pool structure. You should never drain more than 25% of the pool because doing so puts you at risk of collapsing.
Step 3: Dig Under the Post
Your post-lifting strategy will now be put to use; everyone engaged should be prepared to do their bit. Start excavating beneath the post and the adjacent bottom track. If your pool has a bottom track, you should start digging underneath it.
Be careful not to dig too far into the pool where the liner is because you run the risk of damaging it. Dig carefully, much like an archaeologist would when unearthing a relic. Next, begin excavating beneath the post, being careful not to go all the way through.
This prevents the post from sinking farther. A piece of wood should be close by so that you or a helper may rapidly slide the shovel under the post and place the wood under the shovel to function as a cantilever in the event that the post begins to fall.
Make sure your shovels and/or pry bars are ready for the lift once you’ve dug under every location. To get your shovel as far under the post as you can, specifically push it under the post.
Step 4: Insert the Paver After Lifting the Pool
Verify again that the object you have selected to support the post is close by. When everyone is ready and the material is available, slowly add weight to the shovels while being mindful of the pool’s shape. Leverage is essential in this situation, so if the pool won’t lift up, the shovel handle should be stretched with a pipe.
When all the pieces are in place, have the person who is responsible for installing the block or paver under the post do so. Then, begin backfilling the area beneath the bottom track, being careful to compact the material as much as possible. The pool should then be evenly and carefully lowered until it is back on the ground.
Step 5: Backfill the Hole
You might still have a portion of the hole you excavated under the post or under the bottom track now that the pool is level again. To support the pool construction, place your backfill material under the post and bottom track and compact it.
Step6: Refill the Pool
Refill the pool to the appropriate level.
Also Read: Best 13 Ways to Get Rid of Horseflies from Pool
Method 2: Using a Floor Jack to Level an Above ground Pool
Step 1: Using a Floor Jack, Level the Pool
You can level your above-ground pool using a floor jack. If you don’t already own one, you can rent a floor jack from a nearby rental facility. For use with the jack, you will also need pavers, wooden blocks, and pieces of wood.
Follow the instructions shown below to level your above-ground pool without draining it. You don’t need to drain even an inch of water with this technique.
Step 2: Analyze the Pool
Find the areas where your swimming pool is sagging to one side. The liner can be checked to accomplish this. One side of the water will be rising and the other side falling. Checking the water level is even simpler if you have a liner with a pattern.
Step 3: Set up The Floor Jack
To prevent the pool legs from moving when you lift them with the floor jack, secure them with a ratchet strap. Wrap one of the legs around the floor jack. Now grab a piece of wood that you can set on the jack and secure the pool’s legs around it with the help of two wooden rods.
Make sure there is adequate room between the wood rods because the pool leg will fit in there. The rods won’t break as you raise the pool leg since it will help disperse the pressure on them. Lift the pool with the aid of the jack once the leg has been properly positioned between the wooden rods.
To alter the paver beneath, you must raise the pool. There won’t be any issues when the paver arrives. Repeat the procedure for each of the unleveled posts before lowering the jack.
Step 4: Check the Level
After finishing all the posts, personally check the water level. A consistent water level on the pool’s sides is impossible to attain. Your objective is to keep the water level surrounding the pool within 1-2 inches.
Also Read: How to Get Sand Out Of Pool? Get the Crystal-Clear Water
When to Contact a Specialist/Professional
One of the more dangerous operations that may be performed with an above-ground pool is this one. It is important to contact a professional to determine the best course of action for leveling your above ground pool if you see significant corrosion on the pool structure.
Additionally, it is important to consult a professional before things get worse if you are attempting to level the pool and you find that it is not moving or acting as you planned. When trying to level a pool, you must be very careful because there is a good chance that the pool will fall apart.
Conclusion
We cannot emphasize enough how crucial it is to have completely flat ground before installing your pool. Even though it can be time-consuming and difficult, carrying no weight makes it much simpler. However, things don’t always go as planned, so if your pool is uneven after you fill it up, don’t lose hope.
It can be fixed. It will require a lot of work and resolution on your behalf. When you’re done, you merit a well-earned break. Refill the pool to stay cool. We trust that “How to Level an Above Ground Pool with Water in It” has been helpful to you. Visit Poolsfact again soon for updated pool information.
Fequentaly Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Can I Level My Pool with Water?
- Start by turning off your pump.
- If there is a two-way valve, open it.
- Activate “WASTE” on the multiport valve.
- Once the appropriate water level is reached, turn the pump ON and let it run.
- Switch off the pump.
- Set the multiport valve to “FILTER” once more.
- If there is a two-way valve, close it.
Does a Pool Have to Be Perfectly Level?
A pool should generally be level to within an inch, though OCD people might aim for even better. A above-ground pool that is 3 inches or more off level is dangerous. This calls for the height of each footing to be accurate to within an inch.
How Many Inches Can a Pool Be Unlevel?
You can live with it that way because two inches off often won’t have any structural effects. Over two inches is not acceptable. Nobody should swim in an Intex pool that is three inches off or more because they won’t last.
Will an Unlevel Pool Collapse?
Issue with the Pool Walls
One area of the pool will experience greater pressure from the water than the others. This unequal weight distribution has the potential to cause property damage and personal injury to anybody in or near the pool when the pool wall buckles, twists, or even collapses.
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