Get matched with top rototilling pros in Saranac Lake, NY

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.

Yes, rototilling has many benefits. Rototilling is a great way to aerate the soil in your garden, introduce fertilizer, and remove weeds from your soil to prep it for planting, so it is very often a worthwhile expense. You can get by without rototilling if you’re willing to use manual tools, but the work will take much longer and is very labor-intensive. If you’re looking to prepare your garden for planting or your soil for new grass growth, rototilling is relatively inexpensive and almost always worth the money.

When leveling the ground for a pool. If the ground is mostly level, you may be able to simply lay down pavers or pool pads to support the pool. However, you’ll still need to level the ground with sand as a base before adding other materials on top, like crushed gravel.

For minor unevenness, you don't necessarily need to remove grass before leveling. You can apply a topdressing mixture to fill in low areas and even out the surface. However, for more significant unevenness or deep depressions, it might be necessary to temporarily remove the grass to ensure proper leveling and soil compaction. After filling and leveling, you can replace the grass or consider reseeding the area.