Landscaping & Design/Leveling Pool Site

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Expert: Sean J Murphy, LA - 6/25/2007


Question
Hi Sean: I'd like to know how to level a dirt area to set up an above ground pool.
The dirt is hard packed so can't rake. Pool is 18' dia. and I need some way to
determine the area is level. Critical to pool set up. Any method with chalk line
and level or something ?              Thanks........ Glenn

Answer
Glenn:
First you need to kill all the grass using a weed killer. This is so you know it won't try to grow under the pool. Then you need to remove all the weeds and grass after it has died.

Now you need to level the pool pad.

You need to do what is called in grading terms, a "cut and fill" operation. That is you take the soil from the high side and fill the low side so the space is balanced and requires no additional soil to be brought in or removed (saves you money).

The best way for a home owner to do this is first to acquire a 3' or 4' level and then duct tape it to an 8' long 2x4. You must check that the 2x4 is straight first ( I use the level concrete floors at Home Depot or Lowes to check this) Now once you have taped the level to the board you have an 8' level to use.

Now examine the space you plan for the pool to go. Set the level on the ground and see how level it really is. If it is not level you need to get a shovel and start taking dirt from the high side and pitching it to the low side trying to keep a level surface. It is probably a good idea to turn all the soil in the area over with a shovel so that you loosen the top 6" of soil making it easy to rake later.
You also must make the pad at least 12 inches wider than the pool all the way around. If you are pitching even a little bit of soil to the low side you are creating a 'fill' area. This area must be compacted or it will settle differently than the other side that is in 'cut'. You may compact it using a vibratory plate compactor which you can rent at a local tool rental place. The other solution is to do only a 'cut' operation and do not fill at all. Simply cut on the high side, dispose of any dirt and keep cutting till the pad is level. This is actually the best method but may require you to get rid of excess soil or build a wall to hold back the soil outside the pool pad on the high side. These things can cost lots of money.

After you have gotten the area generally level and the surface soil loosened you can start to rake. Then take the shovel and chop up dirt 'clods' and rake it all out to remove rocks, etc.
Continue to check for level as you do this, raking soil where it is needed, walking it in, and breaking up the larger chunks,

Finally, when it is all done, when the pad is relatively flat, or less than 1 to 3 inches of change across the pad, if you want a very nice finish, you may want to purchase some construction sand *about a pick up truck load) and apply a 1" setting bed of sand to the area.  You can then use the same 8 foot 2x4 to 'screed' the sand by pulling it across the surface making a very nice even setting bed.
The sand makes a soft and favorable walking surface and is less likely to puncture the liner of your pool. Some people do a lot more sand to be certain. You definitely want to be sure all rocks , twigs, roots etc are all gone.
It might still be a good idea to run a plate compactor across this entire area before filling the pool.

Now you are ready for the pool.
For more detail check this web site:
http://www.backyardcitypools.com/swimming-pools/AG-Basic-Pool-Installation-Guide...

Oh, lastyly...dont forget to check your local laws about any required fencing...may above ground pools require yards to be fenced just like any other pool if you live in a metropolitan area.

Good Luck.
Sean J Murphy, LA,ISA, LEED AP
Please check out my blogs and articles on landscape topics like this on my websites.
http://www.seanjmurphy.com
http://amenityarchitects.com  

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Sean J Murphy, LA

Expertise

I can answer almost any question related to design, installation, general pricing of landscaping and hardscaping. I can also answer questions related to pools, water features, ponds, lighting, grading, drainage, walls, patios, decks and much more. However, I am not a horticulturist nor an entomologist, so I usually cannot answer questions on pests or diseases of plants.

Experience

I have been working in landscaping since I was 8 years old when I started mowing lawns for neighbors. My family owned a nursery in Florida when I was a teen and I owned and operated several lawn and landscape companies over the years. I have since completed 6 years of in Landscape Architecture at Purdue University and have a Bachelors degree in Landscape Architecture. I am a registered Landscape Architect in Georgia. I have been practicing professionally for 19 years all over the United States (Primarily though in Georgia, Florida, and the Caribbean Islands). I have worked for some of the best and most well know firms and personalities in landscaping and my work has been featured in the press and on TV. I was a featured Landscape Architect on HGTV's Landscaper's Challenge in the episode titled 'Field of Dreams'. My works have won awards including the ULI's inaugural sustainability award and many others. I have worked for the likes of Disney, the 1996 Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games, REIT Post Properties(Atlanta, Dallas, Austin, NY, Tampa, Orlando), major builders like Pulte and Ryland Homes as well as many famous people including Georgia's Governor Roy Barnes. I know many of the plants in Georgia and Florida plus surrounding states. I have passed the Georgia Landscape Architects Licensure Exam and can legally call myself a Landscape Architect Lisc. # 001156
I am currently the Director of Design of a local Planning and Landscape Architecture firm and used to own and operate Amenity Architects LLC. You may see more detail at my personal website http://www.seanjmurphy.com. I am also the webmaster and director of content for the well respected landscape blog at http://amenityarchitects.com

Organizations
American Society of Landscape Architects, International Society of Arborists, Urban Land Institute, City of Smyrna Downtown Development Authority, City of Smyrna Downtown Task Force, City of Smyrna Urban Design Commission, City of Smyrna Economic Advisory Committee, Keep Smyrna Beautiful, Board Member Smyrna Community Garden

Publications
Landscape Architect and Specifier News, Atlanta Homes Magazine, Peach Magazine, Landscape Architecture Magazine, Coastal Living, Magazine

Education/Credentials
Pinellas County Center for the Arts 1984 - 1988, Bachelors Degree in Landscape Architecture - Purdue University, 1994, Mike Lynn Graphics Workshop 1994, University of Georgia Wetland Delineation Certification 1995, Post University Mini MBA 2000, Edinburgh College of Art - 1 year co-op 1993, Intern Smallwood Reynolds Stewart and Stewart Architects Atlanta1993, ISA Certified Arborist 2009

Awards and Honors
ASLA Merit Award 1994 Mined Land Project IN, ACI 1st Place for Hardscape Design / Installation 1999 Biltmore Atlanta. Coastal Living Idea House Design 2005/2006. South Eastern Flower Show People's Choice Award for best garden design, Town Landscape Architect for Serenbe Community the winner of 2009 Inaugural Sustainability Award. Several Grand Awards from MALTA for landscape projects Many more...too many to list.

Past/Present Clients
Disney Imagineers (while employed by others), Georgia Governor Roy Barnes, The State of Georgia, City of Suwanee Ga, City of Norcross Ga, City of Powdersprings Ga, City of Stockbridge GA, City of Sandy Springs Ga, Post Properties, Bayfair Homes, John Willis Homes, Pulte Homes, Serenbe Development, Mayor of Smyrna-Georgia Max Bacon, Sottish Rite Children's Hospital Farmer D Organics

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