Best way to level a large area?

[paulsharvey]

I'll stand by this statement; I'd rather grade and level 3 pool pads, than install a single semi rigid steel ring, upright parts, liner, and cooping.

 

[JeepHead]

I just did my above ground pool last year - I did the grading (yes to 1 inch actually out 1/2 at the most), electrical, pool bonding, etc.. everything except build the pool.

The guys from pool city came to check my grading & were impressed to the point of recommending me for a few jobs. when they saw I did this with a Magnatrac they couldn't believe it, all I had was an old fashion bucket level rod with a homemade ground leveler - filled the bucket with dirt, placed it on the ground leveler, clamped it up, dropped the bucket so the leveling rod showed the same site line from start to finish & went about my business.

only thing that messes this system up is large rocks or buried bricks - which id jump out & remove them. I used the magnatrack bucket to get the over burden off & the grade roughed in before using the leveler. nice thing about a track machine is that you start in the middle & just spin the machine - the tracks will basically bore a round starting pad, I just put a level on my machine and would spin N to S & E to W until semi level, rough grade to that & then as stated above.

Hit multiple spots around the edge & the center with the laser level & I was spot on with very little hand work. what you mentioned is about the going rate where I live $850 to $1500 to level an above ground pool pad. Glad you're getting it done - the family will enjoy it, 2K compared to the maintenance & chemicals im told is cheap. LOL

The 2K is the full install, erecting the pool and final leveling. They said they will also hook up the pump/filter and have the pool filling when they leave. I forgot to mention to them I intended to put a bottom drain in so I am digging that out this week and plumbing it. I am an electrician and converted my shop over to a 100 amp service a couple months ago in anticipation of the pool install this spring. All I need to do now is run an outlet out to the pool which is no big deal. Yes, it's a huge relief to be having it done. Trying to do this sorta job by yourself is not very easy. And I have a huge "honey-do" list already. The girlfriend is wanting me to lime wash our brick home to either an off-white or a grey, remove the white pillars on the front porch and replace with cedar trees as posts, and then add on cedar railing, as well as all new shutters.... This of course, is after I build the pool deck. My work never ends.....

 

[2manyrocks]

Natural brick is about as maintenance free and durable as it gets.

 

[JeepHead]

Natural brick is about as maintenance free and durable as it gets.

Oh I agree but she doesn't like the color and wants the house to have a more modernized appearance. She wants a different look all together.

 

[2manyrocks]

I've done a few remodels, maybe more than my share, over the years. What strikes me is today's trends are to rip out the updates that were popular in the 80s and 90s. I don't know if it will be 10, 15, or 20 years when people remodel today's remodels to whatever will be popular next.

The last house I redid had nearly perfectly preserved 1960s kitchen cabinets, trim and doors. Had to find a 1960's vintage double oven stove to match and lucked into one at an estate sale. Beautiful oak floors....was like a time machine when finished. The bathroom was a total do over because they had wrecked the bath for some reason even though the rest of the house was well preserved. Go figure.

 

[JeepHead]

I've done a few remodels, maybe more than my share, over the years. What strikes me is today's trends are to rip out the updates that were popular in the 80s and 90s. I don't know if it will be 10, 15, or 20 years when people remodel today's remodels to whatever will be popular next.

The last house I redid had nearly perfectly preserved 1960s kitchen cabinets, trim and doors. Had to find a 1960's vintage double oven stove to match and lucked into one at an estate sale. Beautiful oak floors....was like a time machine when finished. The bathroom was a total do over because they had wrecked the bath for some reason even though the rest of the house was well preserved. Go figure.

Oh I hear you. My home was built in the 60's but fully remodeled right before we bought it two years ago. The only thing left original is the hardwood floors (they were refinished and very stunning) and the original massive brick fireplace. It's the centerpiece of our living/dining/kitchen area. The original cabinets were moved to my garage and hung out there but I tore them all off and burnt them. I should have sold them as they were all solid wood cabinets, but I was too busy to fool with it. I like old architecture though.

 

[ning]

Oh I agree but she doesn't like the color and wants the house to have a more modernized appearance. She wants a different look all together.

There will be regrets. Not tomorrow, but they will come...
Not as bad as paint for sure but still
If it were me, I'd move that down on the honey-do list until it's either completely unavoidable or she decides otherwise; those "modernized" looks are on their way out.

 

[JeepHead]

There will be regrets. Not tomorrow, but they will come...
Not as bad as paint for sure but still
If it were me, I'd move that down on the honey-do list until it's either completely unavoidable or she decides otherwise; those "modernized" looks are on their way out.

It's reversible and I own a power washing business so this is is what I do. But the modernized look is very much still in around here.

 

[2manyrocks]

Well, on the opposite extreme, on the way back from town this afternoon I happened to notice a Cat excavator sitting in the middle of what used to be a late 1800s two story white wood sided farmhouse. What I remember was a nice front porch extending the length of the front with two large stone chimneys sitting at each end. Hasn't been a fire that a know of. Just looks like the owner demolished it perhaps to rebuild a new home.

One of the local historians told me that it had been custom built by the first owner as a gift to his bride to be....but they never married.