Site-assembled pool and method of assembly

A method of construction comprising the steps of:

• a) using a leveling gauge comprising a threaded rod mounted vertically in the ground, a pivot bracket rotatably mounted on the threaded rod, a horizontal board mounted in the pivot bracket, and a level mounted on a top planar surface of the horizontal board to measure a dig radius of an area to be leveled;
• b) marking the ground at a dig radius distance from the threaded rod as measured using the horizontal board;
• c) locating a high point within the area to be leveled by adjusting a height of the pivot bracket such that when pivoting the pivot bracket one rotation while maintaining a level reading of the level, the horizontal board contacts at only the high point within the area;
• d) locating a low point within the area to be leveled by pivoting the pivot bracket while maintaining a level reading of the level until the low point with a maximum distance between the horizontal board and the ground within the area is determined;
• e) removing any sod at the low point and leveling the area within a tolerance of an inch to a level of the low point by removal of material;
• f) lowering the pivot bracket on the threaded rod until the horizontal board contacts at a high point within the area with a level reading of the level;
• g) locating a plurality of blocks within the area a predetermined distance (C) from the threaded rod on the horizontal board using the leveling gauge and a predetermined distance (B) apart from each other using a side-to-side gauge, a first block of the plurality of blocks being located at the high point determined in step f);
• h) mounting a plurality of panels sequentially, each panel comprising:
• a plurality of staves arranged side-by-side, each stave having upper and lower ends, inwardly and outwardly facing side major surfaces, and first and second opposing side edges extending between the major surfaces;
• a top rail comprising a top stave-retaining portion that maintains the upper ends of the staves, a first top projecting portion extending from a first end of the panel, and a second top projecting portion extending from a second end of the panel opposite the first end;
• and
• a bottom rail comprising a bottom stave-retaining portion that supports the lower ends of the staves, a first bottom projecting portion extending from the first end of the panel, and a second bottom projecting portion extending from the second end of the panel;
• the projecting portions of each panel being located on neighboring blocks, wherein the panels are arranged with respect to each other at predetermined angles;
• and
• i) positioning a leveling bolt on each block for fastening bottom projecting portions of neighboring panels using a panel positioning guide mounted at a predetermined distance (P) on the horizontal board;
• the panel positioning guide comprising a main portion mounted to the board by at least one fastener and a guide portion extending from the main portion and forming a u-shaped recess, the leveling bolt being successfully positioned when it fits in the u-shaped recess.

A method of construction comprising the steps of:

• a) marking a dig radius on the ground of an area to be leveled;
• b) removing any sod at a low point within the area;
• c) leveling the area within a tolerance of an inch to a level of the low point by removal of material;
• d) locating a plurality of blocks around the area;
• and
• e) mounting a plurality of panels sequentially on the blocks, each panel comprising:
• a plurality of staves arranged side-by-side, each stave having upper and lower ends, inwardly and outwardly facing side major surfaces, and first and second opposing side edges extending between the major surfaces;
• a top rail comprising a top stave-retaining portion that maintains the upper ends of the staves, a first top projecting portion extending from a first end of the panel, and a second top projecting portion extending from a second end of the panel opposite the first end;
• and
• a bottom rail comprising a bottom stave-retaining portion that supports the lower ends of the staves, a first bottom projecting portion extending from the first end of the panel, and a second bottom projecting portion extending from the second end of the panel;
• the projecting portions of each panel being located on neighboring blocks, wherein the panels are arranged with respect to each other at predetermined angles.