How to Level Ground for Your Pool Installation in 9 Easy Steps

Choosing a location is all about safety first. It may seem easy to put an aboveground pool on a paver patio, but the pavers could sink under the weight of the water and collapse your pool.  This could be disastrous for your foundation.

Instead, pick an area of firm ground at least 10 feet away from your home (or more if local laws require it). The flattest area in your yard is a great place to start—so long as it’s away from aboveground power lines and underground utility lines.

Sharp debris and strong roots can damage your pool. Once you choose a location, clear the area of rocks, debris, and vegetation like grass and weeds. Use a rake to move the loose debris and a shovel or sod cutter to remove the rest. Cart away the debris in your wheelbarrow.

Before you level your yard, you’ll need to know which areas aren’t level. To do this, identify the high points. You’ll probably be able to see some of them with your naked eye, but you’ll also want to check using a level taped to a two-by-four plank. 

Move the plank across your work area, keeping note of places that aren’t level. Start on one side, and check every 2 to 3 feet until you’ve examined the entire space. Alternatively, if you’re installing a circular pool shape, you can put your plank in the center and rotate it clockwise.

As you check for high points, make sure you mark these spots with a landscaping stake. Sometimes, an area is mostly level, but there will be a sloped portion. You’ll need to dig out the slope to level your yard for the pool.

Rather than filling in holes and slopes with dirt, you’ll want to remove the bumps and peaks. This is because pools are heavy. If you add a large amount of soil, that soil can settle beneath the pool and create an uneven surface. 

Locate the deepest spot in your work area. This is the baseline that the rest of the ground should match. Use your shovel to dig out the higher points and check the surface with your two-by-four plank. You can cart excess dirt away with your wheelbarrow. Keep repeating this step until the area is level.

Tip: If you plan to fill the area with sand, dig the pool area at least 2 inches into the ground. This way, the sand will sit level with the rest of your yard.

As you dig, you may uncover rocks and other debris. Rake them away. Once the area is totally clear, moisten the soil with your garden hose, so you can efficiently tamp it down. Patience is a virtue, as this could take around an hour. You can’t use too much water pressure, or it could ruin your leveling job.

Once the soil is moist, use a hand tamper or rolling tamper to compact the surface. This helps prevent your pool from sinking once it gets filled with water.

Some pool manufacturers recommend a finishing layer of masonry sand. To be sure, check the manual that came with your pool kit for how much sand you need for your pool setup. Simply spread the sand across your work area in a 1- to 2-inch layer. While leveling the sand for your pool, use your rake to get even coverage.

Once you have an even layer, remove any rocks or debris hiding in the sand. Use your hand tamper or rolling tamper to tamp down the sand. Make sure the area is still level using your two-by-four plank. Make adjustments if necessary.

With a freshly level area, you’re ready to start installing your pool. Use your plank to double-check the area to ensure it’s level. Even a couple of inches of slope can cause major issues. You may also want to spray an herbicide or fungicide to stave off weed and fungus growth around the high-moisture pool area.

For some homeowners, leveling ground for a pool as a DIY project is a way to cut costs ahead of a professional pool installation. Other homeowners have no problems installing an aboveground pool themselves. Some parts of this job can be difficult to do solo, so if you don’t hire a pro, you should still enlist a friend for a helping hand.