5 Ways to Remove Your Inground Pool

Swimming pools can occupy a significant amount of space in a backyard, which may not be a problem if you are using your pool frequently throughout the year. But for homeowners who get very little use out of their pool, it may make more sense to devote this area to another purpose.

Many people believe that they cannot reclaim their yard until they have had their inground pool professionally removed. Although this is certainly the best option for those who want a yard that looks like it never had a pool, particularly if they plan to sell the home in the near future, it is not the only choice. Here is a look at five ways you can remove your inground pool.

Convert It to Garden Space

If you wish to use your reclaimed yard space as a garden, you may not need to have the pool fully removed. However, you cannot simply fill the pool with soil and expect to have a successful garden.

First, you need to drill holes in the bottom of the pool to allow for proper draining. Another thing to keep in mind is that filling a pool will require a significant amount of soil, which can be quite expensive. It will also need to be compacted to prevent the garden from sinking over time.

A partial pool removal, or pool fill-in, is another good choice if you plan to make a garden in your yard, particularly if you want the space to be aesthetically pleasing. This involves drilling holes in the bottom of the pool, breaking down the top few feet of the pool, and placing the rubble inside the remaining pool shell. It will then be filled with fill dirt and compacted. Finally, a layer of topsoil can be added so you can create the garden of your dreams.

Consider a Pool-to-Deck Conversion

If your goal is to use the pool area as an outdoor living space, consider hiring a company that specializes in pool-to-deck conversions. This is an increasingly popular choice that can help you avoid the expense of a full removal while gaining more use out of your yard.

The process typically takes just a few days and involves draining the pool then building a deck on top of it so that blends in perfectly with the shape and structure of the pool.

Sometimes pumps will be used to stop water that falls through the cracks of the deck from collecting in the pool beneath it.

One big point in favor of this approach is the fact that it can be undone in the future if you change your mind about having a pool. The deck can be removed fairly affordably in around a day.

Turn It Into a Pond

If you’d like to give your yard a more natural look and wish to continue enjoying the calming presence of water, turning the pool into a pond is a good option. Although this won’t allow you to enjoy the reductions in insurance associated with not having a pool, and you will still need to carry out some maintenance on your pond, it can take an unloved burden and turn into a tranquil and beautiful feature of your yard.

In some cases, a pool-to-pond conversion can later be reversed, which means you can leave the possibility of restoring the pool on the table in case you decide you need it again at some point in the future. However, if you are working with a contractor, be sure to let them know that you want to leave this possibility open before they begin the work so they can ensure they keep the pool shell intact.

Create a Sunken Greenhouse

You may be able to level your pool with gravel and then convert it into a sunken greenhouse, where the earth surrounding the space can help provide plants with stable temperatures.

Keep in mind, however, that not all types of pools are appropriate for this usage. In addition, a drained pool could be vulnerable to the water table surrounding it, which could cause it to push out of the ground or collapse. Therefore, it is essential to work with a professional to ensure that the greenhouse you have in mind will not pose a danger to the structure or the surrounding area.

Get a Full Inground Pool Removal

If you are certain you won’t want to use your pool again in the future and you want your yard to appear as though a pool never existed there, a full pool removal is the only option you should be considering. It is such a thorough and dependable approach that you will not be required to disclose you had a pool when it comes time to sell, which can improve your home’s selling prospects. With a partial removal or fill-in, in contrast, you will be required to inform potential buyers, and some buyers may lose interest as a result given the potential for sinkholes developing and water pooling underground.

With a full pool removal, all of the parts and pieces of the pool will be removed. The concrete, vinyl, fiberglass and other materials that formed the pool shell will be broken up completely and then removed and hauled away for proper disposal. The remaining cavity will then be filled in with dirt. The dirt must be professionally compacted to ensure that the land will be stable and safe for whatever use you have planned for the yard.

This option will allow you to maintain your home’s property value, and in some cases, it may even increase it. It can also improve its selling prospects among home buyers who specifically want to avoid the risks of pool ownership. It also means you will be allowed to build whatever you wish on top of the land in the future.

Reach Out to the Pool Removal Professionals

For professional advice on the best way to remove your pool and how you can use your yard once you have reclaimed it, get in touch with the Northern Virginia pool removal professionals at Dirt Connections.