Having a private swimming pool is a dream to many homeowners. Only a few can make it a reality by installing a suitable above-ground or in-ground swimming pool in their backyard.
A lot of homeowners, however, think that installing a swimming pool is impossible on hilly terrain. The good news is that it’s not! If you have a sloped yard and hesitate to install a swimming pool in your backyard, you have come to the right place.
You would be delighted to know that above-ground swimming pools can be safely installed in hilly areas. In fact, these swimming pools offer better aesthetic pleasures along with an ideal swimming experience.
If you are eager to know how to install an above-ground swimming pool in your sloped backyard, continue to read below.
7 Steps To Install An Above Ground Pool On A Slope
For decades, homeowners and installers couldn’t figure out what kind of swimming pool would be ideal for hilly areas. The introduction of semi-inground swimming pools has been a practical solution to this problem. These are best suited for hilly areas and in fact more durable than above-ground swimming pools.
Therefore, if you have a sloped backyard in your house, you can install a semi-inground swimming pool while taking advantage of the natural slope to create an infinity pool or retaining walls. These features can only be introduced in a pool that’s built on hilly terrain and not on a plain surface.
Let’s go through the steps to see how one can install a suitable above-ground swimming pool in their sloped backyard.
Know Your Backyard Conditions
Before installing an above-ground pool in your backyard, you must inspect the area carefully. You must know what kind of soil is mostly present in your backyard, beside this get an idea about the shape and size of the yard. Also see how difficult it is to dig the area.
You must also be aware of the frequency of rainfall in your area. All these factors will affect the pool installation process.
Excavate the Area
We have already mentioned that semi-inground pools are ideal for sloped backyards. If you intend to install a semi-inground pool, you have to do a bit of digging initially. There are a few things to note before you grab your shovel and start digging.
You must measure the area where you want to install the pool. Also, ensure that there remains enough space outside the pool after the pool is installed.
While demarcating the area for pool installation, make sure there are no plumbing lines underground or gas lines. Do not dig at a place where there are power lines underneath.
After the area must be inspected thoroughly, you also need to decide how deep you want your pool to be. Use a measuring yardstick for that purpose to mark the depth of the pool. We usually advise homeowners to dig an extra two inches from the center of the demarcated area.
While digging and leveling the land, you must remember that the digging doesn’t have to be perfect. However, try to be as good as possible.
Mark High Points On The Ground
Experts recommend using a laser level to mark the high and low points on the ground while leveling the surface. These laser levels are versatile, accurate, and give an easy reading. Not just that, they help you level a larger area and not just an unlevel patch on the ground.
When it comes to leveling, you must know how unlevel an above-ground pool can be and try not to exceed that mark. A pool off by one to two inches is considered safe. If it’s unlevel by three inches, it’s considered unsafe to be used.
When using your laser level, demarcate the high spots on the ground. To demarcate the areas, use biodegradable spray paints. The idea is to understand the points where you have to transfer materials to level the surface.
Level The Land
Now that you have marked the higher points that need to be leveled, you can use a shovel or garden trowel for that purpose.
This process is however different from the initial digging you did in step two. This process is actually about perfection. Do not remove extra soil than what’s needed. Gouging holes means that they have to be refilled again and this only increases your task.
While working, make sure you are wearing protective equipment like work gloves to prevent blisters.
We insist homeowners to double-check the slope of the land before installing the pool because an above-ground pool built on a tilted slope will collapse with time. If it’s a titled pool, the water pressure will start to increase on one side.
With an above-ground pool built on a leveled slope, you don’t have to worry about anything else and can enjoy your swimming pool to your heart.
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Rake
When you have leveled the land to some extent, stop to check how the surface apparently looks. If it looks like it’s leveled off mostly, it’s time to rake. You might question why raking is necessary because it stirs the well-settled surface soil. Though it does, raking also brings to the surface any small rocks, small boulders, brick pieces, twigs, etc.
Clearing the soil of these small materials is important because otherwise, you might find them poking through the pool liner and causing it to rip and tear. If you do not remove these items from the soil, your pool might puncture in the long run. Luckily, this process doesn’t take much long.
Tamp And Sand
Do you know what a tamper is? If you indulge in gardening regularly, you must be aware of a tamper. A tamper is a cylindrical, heavy wheel that stands on a pole that has to be pushed manually.
There are other devices that can also be used for ramping. But, with the right tool, the task becomes much easier and less time taking. If you have to tamp a larger area, we suggest you rent a mechanized tamper, instead of a hand tamper.
If you are installing an above-ground pool in a sloped yard, it’s important to make the soil under the pool as level as possible. Layering the topsoil with an added layer of masonry sand is a great way to level the surface.
This process also allows people to place supporters like 12 x 12 pavers at suitable places.
Finally Spray Fungicide
After your demarcated pool area is leveled to perfection, there’s one last step left. Since the pool will be used regularly and water will remain stagnant inside, spraying fungicides and pesticides is important to prevent the growth of mold, bacteria, and viruses.
There are top-quality fungicides available in the market. Some products can be used as a herbicide and a fungicide. Homeowners can also pick those.
When a pool is used regularly, water gets splashed all around. The area underneath the pool remains moist all through. Unfortunately, that’s the perfect breeding ground for fungus, mold, and whatnot.
If your pool becomes the breeding ground of fungus or bacteria, there’s only one solution. You simply have to drain the pool water. Therefore, to prevent bacterial or fungal growth anywhere around the pool, this is the last important step.
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Final Thoughts
Another important thing to note when installing an above-ground swimming pool in a sloped yard is ensuring that the pool is adequately protected. Use a pool pad if you plan to have a flat pool bottom. If you intend to have a hopper-style pool, you can use a landscaper’s fabric for additional pool protection. Also, when the pool isn’t being used for a long time, lay an above-ground pool cover to keep it in good condition.
You must know that installing an above-ground pool on a sloped backyard is a lot more than doing it on a plain land. Though it’s more time taking and demanding in terms of labor, it’s worth the effort. Above-ground pools on a sloped yard give you an aesthetic pleasure to enjoy.
In fact, there are different kinds of pools that can be built on a sloped yard, something that’s impossible on a plain surface. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of the realm and build a dream swimming pool of your choice!