Position the plank and level from the center of the work area to its edge, like a clock’s hand. Check for levelness, then rotate the plank 2 to 3 feet (0. 61 to 0. 91 m), like a clock hand moving from 2 o’clock to 4 o’clock. Proceed shifting the plank and checking levelness every 2 to 3 feet.
If you’re not confident about operating a skid-steer loader, consider hiring a professional to regrade the area. Look online to find a landscape architect or licensed contractor with grading experience.
To compact the soil more effectively, run a soaker hose or sprinkler at low pressure for about an hour before you roll or tamp the area. You can rent a lawn roller at your local home improvement store. Typically, you can fill the drum with water to control its weight. Fill it up, then push it over the leveled ground to compact the soil.
If there are any areas that you need to level, use crushed limestone instead of sand. Order masonry sand from a home improvement store or pool retailer to ensure the grains are evenly sized and debris-free. The amount you’ll need depends on the size of your pool. If your pool is 10 feet (3. 0 m) in diameter, you’ll need about a ton of sand, which can cost between $25 and $40 (US). Double check the sand for rocks, large grains, and other debris when you spread it.
Application rates vary by chemical, so check how much area a product covers by volume. The amount you’ll need also depends on your pool’s area but, at most, you’d probably need 1 gallon (3. 8 L) each of ready to use fungicide and herbicide. [10] X Research source Make sure you use petroleum-free products. Ready to use products that don’t require dilution are easier to use than concentrates that need to be mixed with water. Wait to install the pool until 2 weeks after applying fungicide or other chemicals. You can also place a tarp over the area to help protect the chemicals from moisture and sun while you work.
While you don’t want to cut dry sod, don’t use a power sod cutter if the soil is soaked.
Before you use a sod cutter, make sure the area is clear of sprinklers, hoses, toys, and other potential hazards. Cable wires, landscape lighting wires, and sprinkler pipes may also be just below the sod, so watch for these. Read your user manual and consult your store’s equipment manager for your specific machine’s operating instructions.
Recruit some friends or family to help make the job go faster. If necessary, you can bribe them with pool time!
If you used a power cutter and your rolls of sod are in good shape, you could lay it down on a bare patch elsewhere in your yard. Water the bare patch well, fertilize it, and add compost if the soil needs conditioning. Then lay down the sod, and water it daily for 1 to 2 weeks.
Contact your local recorder’s or assessor’s office if you need to find your property lines. Run an online search or look for applicable codes on your city’s, state’s, or province’s government website. If you have a homeowner’s association, it’s also wise to check its bylaws. Make sure your pool is not close to an easement or setback where workers might need to access power or other utility lines. Check to see if your pool might be in a conservation area if your property borders a forest. If you’ll need to have excavation equipment come in, make sure you choose a spot that’s accessible to the machinery, as well. [15] X Expert Source Rob LitmanLicensed Landscaper & General Contractor Expert Interview. 13 October 2020.
Setting your pool beyond a tree’s farthest branches should be a far enough distance if the tree is established. For younger trees, you can calculate the size of the root system to be on the safe side. Younger trees have thirstier roots, which could extend up to 38 times the trunk diameter. If a young tree’s trunk is 6 inches (15 cm) across, its roots could extend over 19 feet (5. 8 m). [18] X Research source Most older trees’ root systems only extend about as far as its canopy.
If your pool is shaped like an oval, use a measuring tape to trace its dimensions onto your work area. Remember to make your perimeter 1 foot (30 cm) longer than your pool on all sides.
