Fiberglass Pool Level

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CircaSurvivalist

CircaSurvivalist

Well-known member
Jul 7, 2020
90
Memphis, TN
Wanted to get some input on what people think is an acceptable amount of out of level for FG pools. I know the “industry standard” is 1” and no FG pool will be perfectly level, but we are just over an inch out of level between the two corners closest to the house. Tried to snap some pictures but it might be hard to see. We weren’t planning on doing any waterline tiles, just another thing to have to keep clean...but I know it’s a way to hide the out of level. Does anyone think it’s bad to leave this as it is?

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Oh boy. That concerns me. It's one thing to see a FG pool settle over a few years due to soil changes, but not right from the time it was dropped in. That's just poor installation if you ask me. Not only does it take away from the enjoyment of your significant investment, but I wonder how much more it will tilt later?

This is from the Viking manual:

The pool can be separated from the lifting equipment when the entire perimeter of the pool (including all transitions) leaves
a clear footprint and the pool is within 1/2” of level.
Click to expand...
 
Texas Splash said:
Oh boy. That concerns me. It's one thing to see a FG pool settle over a few years due to soil changes, but not right from the time it was dropped in. That's just poor installation if you ask me. Not only does it take away from the enjoyment of your significant investment, but I wonder how much more it will tilt later?

This is from the Viking manual:
Click to expand...

Yeah, the pool was dropped in on July 6th and it seemed to be pretty level as we started filling it and back filing so I’m not really sure how this happened. I’m definitely going to bring it to our PB’s attention tomorrow...
 
It’s weird, the builders seemed like they did everything to spec. I watched their whole process. They had it leveled when it was first set and then after filling it half way and backfilling with gravel they laser leveled it again to check and it all checked out within a half an inch so I’m honestly kind of confused on how this happened.

Either way, builder was out today and said he and his partner will be back over to remeasure with the laser and see what can be done... will keep you all updated.
 
Yup, I have a time lapse video of the entire process. Compacted clean stone as the base. Used a crane to drop the pool in and lift and reset it to get it perfectly aligned. They then check the levels with a 4 or 6ft level, had to fill a small void in the shallow end so re-lifted and reset and rechecked level.
 
Looks to me that the void under that ledge wasn't filled and compacted properly. My PB would have put a basement floor jack under that ledge on undisturbed earth before filling that area. Don't know if that's a common practice, never seen it mentioned here.
 

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I have not heard of using a basement floor jack under a ledge before, that’s interesting! I’m going to give them time to figure it out. They’ve been great to work with so far and I trust them to do the right thing to fix it, whatever that may be.
 
CircaSurvivalist said:
I have not heard of using a basement floor jack under a ledge before, that’s interesting!
Click to expand...
During my install, they used a long 6x6 post as leverage under the pool lip all around to manipulate the leveling as they began to "lock" the pool into place. 2-3 guys would get on one end of the 6x6 for additional leverage if one end needed to come up a bit.
 
Texas Splash said:
During my install, they used a long 6x6 post as leverage under the pool lip all around to manipulate the leveling as they began to "lock" the pool into place. 2-3 guys would get on one end of the 6x6 for additional leverage if one end needed to come up a bit.
Click to expand...

Wow, they definitely did not do that for mine. I went and walked around it and it seems like there is backfill missing from under the ledge where they had to run plumbing for the bubbler. I’m wondering if that might be causing that corner of the pool to be sloping down. It seems that that is really the only corner of the pool that is out of level. All other corners are around .5” of each other besides that one corner of the ledge.
 
The shell only flexes so much. If it was super close when the shot it and said good it should still be there. You said 4 amd 6 ft levels did they not shoot the perimeter with a laser amd run string lines to keep it true while filling with water amd backfilling as they went?
 
They backfilled up to the return jets/light outlets as the pool filled up and then shot the laser to confirm the level. Everything checked out at that point so they continued on with plumbing and electrical work. Once that work was completed we filled the pool half way up to the skimmer and that’s when I noticed the water level looked off. They have not added anymore backfill since they last shot the laser and now that one corner is lower than the rest.
 
If it was level up until the returns it still should be. Depends in what they call level too. Just cause a guy with a transmitter on a stick runs around and says it's good doesnt mean it's good enough. Also when they stopped backfilling thats where the water should stop too. Never surpass the backfill height with water height with fiberglass. Either pool bowed out and dropped or ground settled if it was truly level
 
Update...PB came out today and used a jack and some 2x4's to lift up the corner of the sundeck and added more fill under it. It looks MUCH better, it's not perfect, but it is within 3/4" of level with the other side now compared to the 1.5" before! Everything else is within 1/2" so I feel much better about it and happy we did not have to drain and reset it.
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