01 Dec What if My Backyard is Sloped? Common Pool Questions
Building Pools in Hill Country
As a pool builder in hilly Austin, a common question we receive is: “What if my backyard is sloped?”
For those looking to add a pool to their not-flat backyard, it can seem daunting. A pool must have a level space to be installed. Luckily, at Crystal Clear Pools & Spas we know a thing or two when it comes to building a fine pool, which means you can have a pool installed in your backyard, even if you’ve got a slope.
Yard Grading
The most cost-effective option for building a pool in a sloped yard is to add grading. This is the best option for yards that have a small slope, approximately two feet or less.
If your yard has a small slope, there are two options. Level your yard by scraping down the high side or adding dirt to build up the low side. Both types of grading need to be done properly to ensure a level, stable foundation for your pool. A stable foundation and properly graded yard lessen the chance that your pool sides will crack later on.
Fit the Pool to the Yard
One of the best parts of putting in your pool is that you get to choose the design of your pool and fit it to your needs. If you have a sloped backyard, this means fitting the pool to your yard. Check out some of our backyard transformations here.
Install a Pool Retaining Wall
Another way to install a pool in a sloped yard is to add a pool retaining wall. A retaining wall is added to fill space on the lower end of the pool and to hold up the soil on the high end of the pool. A pool retaining wall is commonly used when the backyard slope is larger than can be mitigated by adding or removing soil.
While a retaining wall may not sound appealing, it can act as a feature of the pool. With a small slope, your pool retaining wall might look like a decorative bench. For more dramatic slopes, the retaining wall can be decorated with landscaping or a water feature to look more natural.
Retaining walls can be constructed out of several different materials so you can customize it to the look of your backyard. The most common building materials for pool retaining walls are concrete and stone.
Pool Retaining Wall FAQs
When building a pool in a sloped backyard, there are several questions to consider.
How much does a pool retaining wall cost?
Building a pool in a sloped backyard comes with some additional costs. When looking to add a pool to your backyard, it’s important to add a line item to your budget for either grading or a pool retaining wall.
Grading your backyard is a cheaper option, costing between $1000 and $4000. Unfortunately, for yards with a steep hill, grading isn’t an option.
For those with a steeper grade, a pool with a retaining wall might be the only option. A pool retaining wall costs anywhere between $7000 and $20,000, in addition to the cost of designing and building the pool.
The cost of a pool retaining wall is dependent upon how long and how tall the retaining wall is. By designing your pool to fit the natural grade of your backyard, you can limit the cost of adding a pool retaining wall. You can also mitigate the cost of the retaining wall by choosing to build with less expensive materials.
How do I know if I need a pool retaining wall?
The best way to know if you need a pool retaining wall or not is to call us to get a free consultation. The experts at Crystal Clear Pools & Spas will be able to assess the grade of your backyard with what type of pool you want to let you know if you’ll need a pool retaining wall.
We would love to hear from you! If you have a question about the best option for your pool, feel free to reach out.