How far off can a pool be unlevel?

• <div><p>An aboveground pool should be level within 1 inch—and it starts to become unsafe after a couple of inches. Any slope will lead to an uneven distribution of water, which will put pressure on your pool’s structure, wearing down the pool liner. In certain cases, it could cause your pool to collapse. Even if you’re within a safe window, you may still notice that the water level is uneven.</p></div>

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Q: Can adding new sand fix paver drainage issues?

• <div><p>Not typically. A paver patio drainage problem generally requires a landscaping fix that can include a drainage pipe or dry well capable of handling the amount of runoff in your yard. </p></div>

Q: Should I use sand or dirt to level my pool?

• <div><p>It depends on the model of your pool. You&rsquo;ll always have to level the topsoil, but most vinyl-lined pools require an additional 1- to 2-inch layer of sand to protect the liner. This way, when a foot kicks down to the bottom of your pool, it&rsquo;s not scraping the liner against the hard ground. If your pool isn&rsquo;t vinyl-lined, you can skip this step or add a layer of another base material, like <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/what-is-decomposed-granite.htm">decomposed granite</a>. Always check your manufacturer&rsquo;s instructions before you begin.</p></div>

Q: How far off can a pool be unlevel?

• <div><p>An aboveground pool should be level within 1 inch&mdash;and it starts to become unsafe after a couple of inches. Any slope will lead to an uneven distribution of water, which will put pressure on your pool&rsquo;s structure, wearing down the pool liner. In certain cases, it could cause your pool to collapse. Even if you&rsquo;re within a safe window, you may still notice that the water level is uneven.</p></div>

Q: Why would someone level a yard?

• <div><p>People level their yards for practical and cosmetic purposes. If you have a very steep slope in your backyard, you might have a hard time with lawn maintenance. Or, if you want to entertain in the summer but don&rsquo;t have a flat yard, building a patio would be quite difficult. </p></div>

Q: Why hire a professional for grading or re-sloping?

• <div><p>Ensures proper drainage and ground stability, preventing soil erosion and foundation issues.</p></div>

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Rototilling questions, answered by experts

Not typically. A paver patio drainage problem generally requires a landscaping fix that can include a drainage pipe or dry well capable of handling the amount of runoff in your yard.

It depends on the model of your pool. You’ll always have to level the topsoil, but most vinyl-lined pools require an additional 1- to 2-inch layer of sand to protect the liner. This way, when a foot kicks down to the bottom of your pool, it’s not scraping the liner against the hard ground. If your pool isn’t vinyl-lined, you can skip this step or add a layer of another base material, like decomposed granite. Always check your manufacturer’s instructions before you begin.

An aboveground pool should be level within 1 inch—and it starts to become unsafe after a couple of inches. Any slope will lead to an uneven distribution of water, which will put pressure on your pool’s structure, wearing down the pool liner. In certain cases, it could cause your pool to collapse. Even if you’re within a safe window, you may still notice that the water level is uneven.

People level their yards for practical and cosmetic purposes. If you have a very steep slope in your backyard, you might have a hard time with lawn maintenance. Or, if you want to entertain in the summer but don’t have a flat yard, building a patio would be quite difficult.

Ensures proper drainage and ground stability, preventing soil erosion and foundation issues.

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