Need help leveling for hard sided pool wall

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Pherreal

Member
Jul 5, 2021
13
Cleveland, OH
Pool Size
15000
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
I love the forum and appreciate all of the helpful members here. I've had an Intex AGP for a few years and am currently upgrading to a hard sided AGP.

Warning: long winded post ahead...

Former pool: 24' x 52" round Intex

New pool: 24' x 54" Pinnacle aluminum wall, composite track

My former pool was recessed into the ground to create a flat area in the yard and the new pool will sit in the same place. The previous pool used pink foam boards sitting on top of hard ground.

For the new pool, I decided to use screenings (rock dust) across the entire area of the pool, compacted them over and over and made it level using a laser.

The pool instructions call for a 2' wide by 2" deep section of material where the wall will sit that is perfectly flat and level. This is stated as required, not optional.

The instructions listed using pavers under the legs as optional. I decided to use the screenings across the entire area of the pool instead. I do wish that I had installed pavers in the beginning.

This is where I'm currently stuck: I'm having a difficult time getting this area perfectly flat and level. I'm assuming that the pool "feet" should sit level in all directions along with being level to every other foot. I've even tried using fine mortar in place of the stone dust, hoping that it would make it easier but it seems like it made a mess more than anything.

What is the best way to get this 2' wide strip "perfectly flat and level"? I'm stressed out that I can't figure this out and wondering if I'm being to anal about it.

Thank you for reading this long winded post.

Excerpt from the instructions:
"Take material such as rock dust or fine mortar that can conform a solid, permanent base and deposit this material around the rim of the basin. The material used should be spread around the perimeter of the pool to a width of 24” (60cm) and a thickness of 2” (5cm).
Important Note: The outer 24” (60cm) of the circle must be perfectly flat. The bottom edge of the pool must rest flat on the ground and have no gaps under it. Take the time you need to be sure this area is perfectly flat and level."
 
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Get a transit/laser level (rent or borrow) & level it out. The instructions should also call for some type of pavers for the uprights to sit on - those should have their tops level with the base that you have leveled.
 
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Mdragger88 said:
Get a transit/laser level (rent or borrow) & level it out. The instructions should also call for some type of pavers for the uprights to sit on - those should have their tops level with the base that you have leveled.
Click to expand...
Thanks for replying. I guess I wasn't clear in my post. I have a laser level and that's how I've leveled the base which is good across the pool. The problem that I'm having is getting the outer ring to be flat and level. It seems like no matter what I put down and compact, that the ring, mainly the feet are not level in all directions with the rails sitting completely flat. The feet are level with each other, within a half inch.

The directions listed pavers as optional, though the ring of stone dust or fine mortar, was not optional. I opted for using rock dust (screenings) across the entire pool bottom versus just a 2' ring around the perimeter.

I do regret not using the pavers when I started but feel that im 90% of the way finished at this point and need some pointers on creating a perfectly flat and level perimeter before setting the pool in place.

To sum it up, I feel that I'm very close but I'm struggling to create a flat ring around where the pool wall will sit where there are no gaps under the rail.

People are telling me that I'm being too picky about getting the tracks completely flat and making the foot pads absolutely level in all directions.
 
How off are we talking in that area? 1/4 - 1/2 inch should be ok.
The idea behind the 2” requirement is likely to prevent washout from the outside.
A cove on the inside will prevent the water pressure from pushing the liner underneath the wall.
Got any pics?
 
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Mdragger88 said:
How off are we talking in that area? 1/4 - 1/2 inch should be ok.
The idea behind the 2” requirement is likely to prevent washout from the outside.
A cove on the inside will prevent the water pressure from pushing the liner underneath the wall.
Got any pics?
Click to expand...
I would say that every foot pad is well within a 1/2" from each other. The issue (in my mind) is the foot pads being level front to back, as some are slightly tilted in one direction or the other.

That makes sense about the washout. I plan on using foam cove, taped in place.

I will add some pics. Backyard is a mess because of all of this and I cannot wait to be able to get it all together!
 
I can’t see the actual levels in your pics but it looks great.
One note * as I see the ground is higher on one side of the pool area- be sure to incorporate some drainage to divert water away from the base of the pool. Its best to do it now while you have room to work before the walls go up. Foregoing this will eventually compromise your pool’s integrity & leaves you susceptible to issues with frost heave due to moisture in the ground around the pool.
 
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Mdragger88 said:
I can’t see the actual levels in your pics but it looks great.
One note * as I see the ground is higher on one side of the pool area- be sure to incorporate some drainage to divert water away from the base of the pool. Its best to do it now while you have room to work before the walls go up. Foregoing this will eventually compromise your pool’s integrity & leaves you susceptible to issues with frost heave due to moisture in the ground around the pool.
Click to expand...
Thank you. It's been a lot of hard work to get it here. Hoping I'm close to being able to put the pool up.

Great point about the drainage. I plan on using some perforated pipe around the perimeter with it running to the back of the property.
 
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