When a backyard pool is outdated, older than 15 years, or in need of major repairs, you might choose to remove your inground pool instead of sinking more money into upkeep and maintenance. However, there are specific steps that need to be followed when removing a pool with a vinyl liner to ensure quality results and minimize the risk of complications in the future.
At first, the concept of removing a vinyl-lined in-ground pool might seem simple. Is it possible to just fill in the pool with dirt to cover it up? The truth is that there are many essential tasks to remove the materials and bring in the right type of fill dirt to prevent sinking and instability down the road.
Consider hiring a professional pool removal company for assistance instead of risking the problems that often occur with DIY pool removal. Investing in an experienced contractor is the most important thing you can do when tearing out a backyard swimming pool.
2 Options To Remove An Inground Pool
There are two possibilities for inground pool removal. It’s best to do the research and weigh the pros and cons to find out which method will work for your home. Your contractor will explain the differences between a partial pool removal vs. a complete pool removal.
Partial Pool Removal
Partial pool removal might be recommended after the vinyl lining is removed if you have concrete walls behind the vinyl. This method is cheaper and faster compared to full pool removal. But there is one big disadvantage: you won’t have the option to build structures on the land in the future because of stability issues.
With a partial pool removal, a portion of the side of the pool might be left in place. For example, the top of the walls needs to be removed, but the bottom sections can remain in place. Concrete that comes from the pool walls is placed in the bottom of the pool as fill materials. The contractor drills large holes in the bottom of the pool to enable proper draining. Then, the pool is backfilled and compacted, leaving some of the pool materials buried below.
Full Pool Removal
Another option is to break down and haul away all of the remaining materials from the inground pool. Nothing is left behind in the pool cavity with this method, except for fill dirt and topsoil.
While full pool removal is more expensive compared to partial pool removal, it’s often a better option because you aren’t limiting possibilities for future construction on that part of the property. Full pool removal is often a recommendation for vinyl-lined swimming pools. Since these pools often have steel walls and other steel materials, it’s necessary to remove the steel before backfilling the swimming pool.
When you choose a complete pool removal, it means that everything goes: vinyl lining, fiberglass, steel, concrete, equipment, and more. We bring in heavy equipment to break up the pool walls and bottom, then haul everything away. Finally, the project is finished with backfilling and compaction to ensure balanced, even land in the future.
Regardless of the type of swimming pool removal that you choose, proper compaction and backfill are the most important details, so you don’t end up with a sinkhole in the future.
Overview: Removing a Vinyl lined Inground Pool
If you are ready to take out a swimming pool, talk to a knowledgeable contractor to learn more about this process. The specific services you need vary depending on the type of pool you have and where it is located.
Here is an overview of what typically happens when removing a vinyl-lined in-ground pool:
- Estimate: Don’t hire a pool removal contractor without having an estimate on paper. This project can be costly, which is why you need full transparency about how much you will be paying for these services. Ask for a consultation and estimate to get personalized recommendations for your project.
- Access: First, the contractor needs access to the worksite. For example, it might be necessary to temporarily remove a section of your backyard fencing to bring in heavy equipment. Sometimes, removing landscaping features like shrubs might be required. Also, clear out any items that could get in the way, such as patio furniture.
- Utilities: Before the digging starts, the pool removal contractor needs to identify where the utility lines are located. Then, these utilities need to be disconnected before the project is underway.
- Water: Now it’s time to pump out the water. The contractor can’t start digging until all the water is removed from the pool.
- Vinyl Liner: When there is access to the vinyl liner, it’s time to cut this liner into chunks for removal. The vinyl liner is hauled away, to be disposed of properly at a nearby location.
- Steel Structure: Once the vinyl liner is out of the way, steel walls often need to be disassembled and removed. Alternatively, you might have composite, wood, or fiberglass under the vinyl liner.
- Concrete Decking: If there is concrete pool decking around the pool’s edge, it’s common to break the concrete into pieces for fill. The concrete chunks are placed in the empty pool cavity, or the concrete might need to be hauled away.
- Fill Dirt: The next step is to add fill dirt in the pool cavity. Then, the topsoil is put on the highest layer. Heavy equipment is necessary to compact the soil and grade the area to ensure water drains away from houses and other structures. Talk to your contractor to determine if engineered structural backfilling is necessary for your yard.
Depending on your unique situation, there might be variances with each of these steps. A demolition contractor can offer specific information to ensure your project is completed successfully.
Call Trusted Pool Removal Contractors
If you need information about removing a vinyl-lined in-ground pool, then Mikula Contracting is the team to call. Contact us for more information about pool removal services. We are here to help!
