When Should You Remove Your Pool

When should a pool be removed? If you’ve had a backyard pool for years, then you might be looking for a change and considering the option to remove your pool. However, before jumping into the project, it’s wise to talk to qualified pool removal contractors to learn more about your options.

Not only do you need to ask questions about the proper pool removal method, But it’s also smart to learn about the best timing for the pool removal process.

Top Reasons: When Should a Pool Be Removed?

Here are a few things to discuss if you are asking when a pool should be removed.

Pool Isn’t Being Used

Even though it once felt like a luxury to have a backyard swimming pool, this home feature can eventually start to feel like another maintenance task on your to-do list. One of the most common reasons families consider removing and filling the swimming pool is that they aren’t swimming very often anymore.

If the pool isn’t being used, why continue with the maintenance and upkeep of having this extra feature in the backyard?

Repurposing the Backyard 

Do you have new plans for landscaping or backyard features? The swimming pool takes up a large percentage of the yard, which means your options are limited as long as the pool remains. People consider swimming pool removal because they want to use the yard for other activities instead. This decision opens up many options year-round.

Home Additions

Whether you need a few more bedrooms or you want to expand the kitchen and living space, you might be considering a home addition. The problem is that a swimming pool might be getting in the way of adding to your house. 

Investing in a complete pool removal gives you the option to build onto the current home structure. Keep in mind that partial pool removal doesn’t allow building on that location. So, don’t cut corners on the ground pool removal if you have big plans for a guest house or home additions in the future.

Save Money on Maintenance Costs

How much money are you spending every year on maintenance costs? When considering the out-of-pocket expense, you might find it motivating to contact a ground pool removal company. The maintenance and utility expenses add up, especially as the equipment gets older and outdated.

Here are some of the ways you might be spending money on pool maintenance costs:

• Water Treatments: It’s necessary to buy chemicals and treatment products to maintain the ideal pH balance and ensure the cleanliness and safety of the water.
• Water Bill: Costs go up when you add a lot of water into the swimming pool. Watch your water bill, and you’ll see that your utilities are higher when your pool must be filled.
• Electrical Bill: Additionally, the electricity bill increases, especially in the transition seasons when you are forced to use the pool heater more frequently. For example, families often turn up the water heater if they are using the swimming pool in the spring or fall months. While the water is comfortable, it can cost hundreds of dollars a year in higher electricity expenses.
• Winterizing: When the weather turns cold, winterizing services are needed to remove the water from the lines and prevent frozen pipes. Unfortunately, these winterizing services just add another annual cost to your bill.
• Accessories: When using the swimming pool, it’s common to put more money into accessories that make the pool experience more enjoyable. Examples include outdoor furniture, shade umbrellas, pool towels, life jackets, inflatable toys, and more.

Climate Change

If you want to do your part to slow climate change, you can begin by making incremental changes at home. For example, consider how much energy you are using when you have a pool in the backyard. The electricity adds to your carbon footprint. Make sure the benefits you are receiving from the swimming pool outweigh the impact your pool has on the environment.

The reality is that your decisions at home won’t have an immediate, measurable effect on climate change. But the small choices that everyone makes over the years add up to more significant results that will save our planet in the future.

Expensive Repair and Remodeling Costs

Remodeling and repair services are other financial factors that might make you wonder: when should a pool be removed? Wear and tear can take a toll over the years, often leading to peeling plaster and broken tiles that need to be fixed. Additionally, broken equipment needs to be fixed, such as the water pump, filtration system, heating units, and more.

If you are still using the swimming pool, then these repairs are a priority to maintain the safety and beauty of the swimming pool. But it is also expensive to bring in a contractor to fix these issues. So if you are tired of paying for remodeling and repair costs, it might make sense to remove an inground pool instead. Pool demolition is more expensive upfront, but it will save you a lot of money on repair costs in the future.

Stop Worrying About Liabilities

How much is the liability risk when you have a backyard swimming pool? If you are constantly fretting about an accident that could result in liability issues, then you are probably asking when you should remove your pool. There is always a safety risk, which means that you need to have safety gear and ongoing supervision – regardless of whether the pool is being used.

In fact, it’s common for unused pools to have higher safety risks because the pool is “out of sight and out of mind.” The cost to remove a swimming pool may be worth the peace of mind that comes from eliminating the risk.

The truth is that insurance costs go up when you have a swimming pool in the backyard. paying for the pool removal cost is offset a bit by the lower insurance premiums you will be paying after the pool is gone.

Overview: How Pool Removal Works

Reach out to a pool removal contractor to learn more about how pool removal works. Not only can you ask, “when should a pool be removed?,” but you can also find specific services that are ideal for the type of swimming pool you are removing from your home.

You can choose from partial or complete swimming pool removal, depending on your budget and the type of pool in your yard.

Pool removal services include full-service solutions, including:

• Draining the Pool: Getting rid of the water so the underlying materials can be demolished and removed from the yard.
• Hauling Away: The materials are hauled away, leaving a clean slate without remnants of concrete, vinyl, steel, etc.
• Filling in a Pool: The remaining hole needs to be filled in using fill dirt, with higher quality soil on the top layer. Cheaper fill dirt is the best way for the lower part of the pool cavity, with the top few feet needing topsoil. 

Deciding If You Really Want to Remove Your Pool

We’ve listed a lot of reasons why you might be asking: when should a pool be removed? Before you jump into this decision, make sure you are ready to commit to a significant change in your yard. There are notable benefits to having a backyard pool, such as the option to have fun in the sun with your loved ones – in the privacy of your backyard.

But there are also a lot of drawbacks to having a private swimming pool. So as you measure the pros and cons, you might be like many other families who decide that pool removal is the best solution.

Call Mikula Contracting for Pool Removal Solutions

At Mikula Contracting, we’ll help you decide when a pool should be removed. Then, our team will offer full-service solutions from start to finish to complete this project. Contact us to learn more about the available services for your yard and swimming pool area.

by Dennis Mikula Jr.

Does Removing a Pool Affect Your Home Value?

Does it feel like a dream come true to have a private swimming pool in your backyard? In the beginning, it feels like a fun feature to have a place for hosting family and friends on a hot summer day during the swimming season. While there are many benefits to residential swimming pool ownership, you might eventually reach the point where you feel that removing a pool is your best option. At this point, you are probably wondering: does removing my pool affect home value?

The swimming pool can affect the price when it’s time to sell your home. Talk to a real estate agent and you will likely find that an inground pool doesn’t add value to your home. In fact, removing the pool can add value, resulting in more equity when it’s time to sell.

Not only do you need to consider the cost, but also look at the longer-term financial benefits that are available when you invest in swimming pool removal. 

Type of Pool Removal Affects Home Value

As you are asking “does removing my pool affect home value,” it’s important to understand the differences between available types of pool removal.  A full pool removal takes out all remnants of the swimming pool. When the remaining hole is filled in with engineered backfill and professional compaction, there are fewer risks of issues in the future. This method preserves your home value because the ground is more secure, and future owners can build in that area if they desire.

Does Removing My Pool Affect Home Value?

The simple answer to your question is: yes! Pool removal could increase the value of your home. Your property value is more likely to go up when the pool you’re removing has these factors:

• The pool takes up a lot of the backyard
• The swimming pool is older than 30 years
• Major repairs and renovations are needed on the swimming pool
• There is no safety gate around the swimming pool
• You only have a few months of swimming weather
• It is a vinyl lined   swimming pool
• You are the only one in the neighborhood with a backyard pool

In comparison, certain types of swimming pools and circumstances could potentially increase the value of your home. These are swimming pool factors that could have a positive effect on home value:

• The pool was installed less than 15 years ago
• Less than 10% of the backyard is taken up by the swimming pool
• Many of the neighbors have swimming pools
• The pool equipment is energy efficient and relatively new
• You live in a luxury home
• A safety gate surrounds the swimming pool

The actual value of the home depends on the area and many other real estate factors. It’s also important to consider supply and demand, and how the current real estate industry trends are impacting the types of homes that people are buying. You’ll want to talk to an industry expert to learn how much pool removal will affect your property. 

Swimming Pool Installation and Removal Can be Expensive

Putting in a swimming pool requires a bit of an investment. Often, these upfront costs are added onto the mortgage or a home equity line of credit, resulting in interest accrual over the course of the loan (most people pay their mortgages for 15 years or 30 years). 

Because you invested so much money into the swimming pool installation, you are probably feeling the obligation to keep the pool in place. But if this backyard feature is no longer serving the needs of your family, then it might be time to remove the pool. Even though it will cost money for proper pool removal, you can recover some of these costs by saving money on other related expenses.

Other Money-Saving Benefits of Pool Removal 

Homeowners underestimate the maintenance costs when adding a pool in the backyard. If you live in a warmer climate, it might seem like a great addition to your home to enjoy many months of swimming weather without a need to go to a public pool. 

But the ongoing time and money investment can be cutting into your budget. Calculate the higher water and electric bills, as well as other additional pool costs for:

• Maintenance equipment
• Water treatment chemicals
• Pool toys
• Patio furniture
• Professional maintenance and repair services
• Accessories 
• And more

Additionally, the costs of homeowners insurance go up when you have a backyard pool. If you are thinking about pool removal, talk to your insurance company to see how much money you are going to save in the coming years. 

More Benefits of Swimming Pool Removal

As you are asking “does removing my pool affect home value,” also learn about the other benefits you might experience after swimming pool removal. Here are some of the reasons why homeowners are motivated to take out their backyard swimming pool:

• More green space and usable yard
• Reduced yard maintenance
• Avoiding liability issues
• Lower utility costs, saving over a thousand dollars a year
• Cheaper insurance costs

The benefits add up. Even if you aren’t planning to move for a while, you might be ready to remove a swimming pool for your own family’s needs.

Call Experienced Pool Removal Contractors

What information do you need about swimming pool removal? If you are asking “does removing my pool affect home value,” then Mikula Contracting is the team to call. Reach out to us to book a free consultation so you can learn about the best course of action. We’ll provide an estimate for the work and help you choose the ideal services for your home.

by Dennis Mikula Jr.

Best Way to Remove a Vinyl Lined Inground Pool

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!

by Dennis Mikula Jr.