Sometimes a pool just isn’t worth saving. There are many reasons you might want to know how to get rid of an inground pool. The renovation costs may be higher than you want to spend. Maybe you have a swampy eyesore that breeds mosquitoes and you just want it gone. Perhaps it’s a liner pool with a torn liner and the walls are starting to cave in. Maybe the pool was built so close to the house it’s a danger whenever you have a guest over and they walk into the backyard.
How To Get Rid Of An Inground Pool Properly
Whatever the case, sometimes you just need to know how to get rid of an inground pool. Here’s a quick guide for getting that pool out of your life for good. First, although this checklist may sound daunting, most of it goes by quickly and can be done from the comfort of your own home.
Step 1: Call 811 “Call Before You Dig” Hotline
First, call 811 to get your underground utilities located. This is the national “call before you dig” hotline. Note, this will not locate the electrical from the panel to the pool equipment, or the gas line from the meter or the tank to your pool equipment. This is only for locating the utility owned portion.
Step 2: Contact Your Town’s Building Department
Next, contact your building department or inspectional services in your town or municipality and ask them what’s required to permit your pool’s removal. Oftentimes they’ll tell you that you need an inexpensive demolition permit.
Step 3: Find Your Excavation Contractor
After that, you’ll need to find an excavation contractor. Call site contractors, excavation companies, etc. If you’re having trouble finding a contractor, try calling some general contractors and see if they’ll point you in the right direction. Explain to the contractor what you’re trying to do.
Specifically, let them know what kind of pool it is (gunite, fiberglass, or vinyl). Tell them how much patio you want removed around the pool, too. Explain to them what the access is like getting into the backyard. Is the whole yard level? Is your home close to the property lines? Do they have to go through a double gate? Will a section of fence need to be removed for them to gain access?
Step 4: Things To Do Before Excavation
Before you have the excavator start their work however, you’ll have to get the electric, gas, propane, and water disconnected from your pool equipment. For the electric, call your electrician and let them know you want to disconnect your pool equipment so it’s safe to remove the pool and equipment from the property. If you have a natural gas heater, call a licensed plumber and explain what you’re doing and they will be able to help. Otherwise, for a propane heater, call your propane supplier and explain what you’re looking to do. If you have a potable water connection at your pool equipment you’ll need a licensed plumber to disconnect that as well.
Step 5: Excavator’s Pre-Site Check
Once you have your utilities disconnected, a demolition permit in hand, and your underground utilities located, it’s time for the excavation company to come in and remove that pool. They will most likely want to “pre-site” the project by coming out and confirming your access to the pool and the area you want removed.
Step 6: Drain The Pool
Before they come out to start the work you’ll need to drain the pool if it’s not drained already. You can use a sump pump to do this. Drop the pump into the deepest part of the pool and run the other end of the hose into a low section of your yard. If you don’t have a yard that can easily absorb this much water, check with your municipality for the proper way to drain down your pool. Sometimes they let you use the storm drain if you make sure the water is no longer chlorinated.
Step 7: Make Way For The Excavator
When your excavator shows up to do the work, don’t be surprised if they bring a very large machine. If you have a gunite pool, they’ll need it! Gunite pools are built with a lot of rebar (steel) and breaking them apart can be difficult. If they do use a small machine, they will likely have a hammer attachment that will allow them to break up the pool into little pieces while making an enormous amount of noise!
Step 7A: Removing The Surrounding Deck
The first step for demolishing a pool is to remove the deck around the pool. Obviously, to get to the pool, you need to remove the surrounding surface.
Step 7B: Finally, How To Get Rid Of An Inground Pool
Then, the excavator will pull apart the pool itself piece by piece. They’ll need to fill their dump truck or dumpster over and over with the pool pieces until it’s been removed.
Step 7C: Level Your Pool-less Yard
Lastly, once the pool is gone you’ll have to level your yard. Your excavation contractor can bring in loads of earth backfill and compact the hole left by the pool. This process includes adding a load of topsoil at the end.
Bottom Line On How To Get Rid Of An Inground Pool
Finally, after all of these steps, you’re ready to get started with your new and improved backyard. You could plant grass, start a garden, or landscape your dream backyard without that ugly pool.
