How to Even Out Ground for a Soft-Sided Above-Ground Pool

You'll need to even out the ground for a soft-sided above-ground pool to make sure the area is completely level and flat. A soft-sided pool is not secure on a slope or incline, or with any loose ground underneath it. If the ground is not compacted and firm, it can't withstand the pressure and weight of the filled pool. The technique for leveling ground for pools --- recommended by pool manufacturers --- works for both soft- and hard-sided pools

Chalk
Stake
Board
Carpenter's level
Shovel
Sod cutter

Instructions

- 1
  Draw the outline of your pool on the ground with a piece of chalk.
- 2
  Stick a stake into the ground in the middle of the outlined area.
- 3
  Extend a board from the pool's perimeter to the stake.
- 4
  Set a level on top of the board.
- 5
  Loosen the grass and dirt from the higher areas with a shovel. Use a sod cutter to remove tough pieces of grass. Remove the ground from the higher areas to line up with the lower areas.
- 6
  Move the board and level to the next spot around the perimeter once you've completely leveled one spot.
- 7
  Shovel and dispose of the grass and dirt around the entire pool area until each area shows as level when the board and level are set on that spot.

I Did Not Winterize My Pool & Now the Water Has Frozen

How to Settle Clay in a Pond

Swimming Pools & Spas