How to know if my soil is level (pics attached )

[Cmak]

Hello , need some help . Putting up above ground pool. intex prism rectangle Pool. We live in So. Ca., We have taken sod off , tilled/cultivated dirt and removed the top layer of dirt to get to Good hard soil . We are trying to figure out if it’s level but we have tried a string level and the 2x4 wood with a level but every time we slide the wood beam around it seems to be shaving off more and more dirt away, essentially Unleveling the places where it was already level and then we are not sure what to do with the dirt it is scraping . Also it should be noted that the level consistently says it’s level wherever we slide it . I should Also mention we have high and low bumps through out the soil so it’s hard to know what to do with the mounds and dips . Example there might be a high pile of dirt but on the lower part of the slope Actually I’m not Even sure if there is even a slope So if someone has a tip on how to figure out if there is a slip that would help too. ourhouse was built in the late 40’s and Nothing Is ever ia easy project with my home .
Confused need some direction please !

P.s The pool is in our front yard because our back yard is in need of tons of work and we just need this up for a few months until backyard is done . We have already checked city regulations and we are clear to put it in the front, we are putting up bamboo to have privacy, Just need something for the kids to do for a while so this is definitely Temporary . Thanks for the help !

 

[sammckin]

I used a water level that I was able to make for a couple bucks.

 

[Winstonselect848]

Yep spent 20 bucks and made an Egyptian water level. Best 20$ I spent when it came to AGP install.

 

[Cmak]

Yep spent 20 bucks and made an Egyptian water level. Best 20$ I spent when it came to AGP install.

Will the water level be showing me where it’s in level , also will that be the same as figuring out if our ground is sloped ? If yes to these questions then once I see where it’s unleveled how do can I figure out the inches of dirt I would then need to remove . Thanks again . The water level seems a bit daunting only because I’m a complete newbie with all of this.

 

[Winstonselect848]

Will the water level be showing me where it’s in level , also will that be the same as figuring out if our ground is sloped ? If yes to these questions then once I see where it’s unleveled how do can I figure out the inches of dirt I would then need to remove . Thanks again . The water level seems a bit daunting only because I’m a complete newbie with all of this.

You need to make a 2 stick water level ,What a water level does is show you the difference in inches between 2 spots in elevation.

Watch this video to see what I am talking about. It let's you choose any 2 spots and measure if they are the same elevation or the difference between those 2 spots. Like from paver to paver. Or any 2 spots that you are trying to grade. I used it primarily for making sure my pavers were all at the same elevation. Also used it to spot check high spots in my pool area. Keep in mind this guys water level is really fancy. I just used a 3ft tall 2x4s some clear tubing and some duct tape. I measured out each 2x4 to look just like a 3ft tall ruler. It does not take much more than that.

 

[outpost]

Homemade water level is the way to go. I duct taped tubing to a yardstick and to a steel rod in the middle of pool area. Under $20. Put yardstick on any point in the level area. Note the measurement that the water is at. Move it around to a bunch of different areas. If it’s the same spot in the yardstick your ground is level. If it’s an inch off, you need to raise / lower an inch in that spot. Etc.

You want to find the lowest spot of all then go around and mark the high spots. Grade them down and repeat.

also if you are swinging your level board around and it is freely moving dirt with it, you are probably not down far enough anywhere. You want to be at fairly compact ground and then level from there.