For many of us, having a backyard swimming pool was a childhood dream. Your very own pool that you could use whenever you wanted, one that would never be crowded. Sadly, the reality of owning a swimming pool is far less dreamlike.
While the appeal of a private swimming pool will probably never go away, many pool owners have found their pool to be more of a nuisance than anything else. Getting rid of a swimming pool is no easy task, though, so before you commit to filling it in you should be absolutely certain that is what you want. Here are some reasons for you to fill in your swimming pool.
You Do Not Use It
When was the last time you used your pool? Can you even remember? Perhaps your children have all grown up and moved away. Maybe you no longer have the time to go for a swim as often as you used to.
In any case, lack of use is a good reason to fill in your swimming pool. If nobody uses it, it makes little sense to keep it. A pool is not cheap or easy to maintain, it can be a serious drain on your time and resources. If you are not swimming it, there is no reason to keep it.
It is Too Expensive to Maintain
Few pool owners take care of their pool themselves. It is a time-consuming job. The pH level has to be maintained, the right chemicals in the right balance have to be added, debris has to be removed from the water, and more. This all has to be checked very frequently, too.
It is not uncommon for pool owners to spend $100 per week to have a pool maintenance service come and check the pool. That adds up to $5,200 per year, and if you do not want to pay that then you have to spend time each week to keep the pool properly maintained.
All of that time and money adds up, and for many people it just is not worth it. If you do not have the time to maintain your pool yourself and find the cost of professional maintenance too high, it may be time to get rid of your pool.
Too Many Repairs
Pools have more moving parts than many people realize. There are pumps, filters, motors for the pumps, and other equipment like automatic pool vacuums. All of these have to be repaired or replaced periodically.
You may also end up needing to repair the physical structure of the pool itself. Perhaps the liner has sprung a leak; that is a very expensive repair. All of the repair costs for a pool can add up quickly, and can be frustrating.
Your Pool is Outdated
Building codes are updated all the time, and that includes the codes for in ground pools. Maybe the drain covers you use are no longer compliant, or the code requires a new type of filter or pump. While you can certainly update your pool to meet the new standards, the codes are bound to change again, requiring you to spend more of your money upgrading the pool.
Perhaps your pool is just old and needs a remodel. The cost for such work can be astronomical, especially since you will often need to buy all new equipment for the pool.
You Are Selling Your House
A well-maintained pool can add value to your home, but this is not always true. Your real estate agent can tell you whether or not pools are adding value to homes in your area. In many places potential buyers do not want a pool, often for the reasons we have been listing.
While a well-maintained pool might detract from your home’s value, a poorly maintained pool certainly will. If you have been unable to properly keep up with your pool’s maintenance, it will drive your home’s value down. Nobody wants to buy a home with a run-down pool in the back.
You Want a Yard
Pools require a lot of space. You of course have the pool itself, but you also need a large patio between the pool and the house, and all around the pool. It is a lot of concrete or stone, and while it is necessary if you have a pool, it can take up most or all of your yard.
You might prefer to have more green space in your yard, or a garden. Maybe you would like an outdoor kitchen area, or a fire pit. There are plenty of things that your backyard can be used for, but as long as there is a pool there, it is really the only thing you can have in your yard.
This is Not a DIY Project
You cannot fill in your pool all on your own. First, filling in the pool requires that, at a minimum, holes be drilled through the bottom and the top of the liner be broken up. The liner has to be broken up at the top to allow for topsoil to be spread, and holes must be drilled to allow for proper drainage.
Before you can do that, the water has to be removed, and you often cannot drain treated pool water into the municipal supply. You will also need a lot of dirt to fill in the old pool, along with the equipment to level it. Filling in an old pool is a long process that requires heavy equipment and a lot of time. The best thing you can do is hire a contractor to supply the dirt you need and do the work.
If you are considering filling in your old pool, or have more questions about pool removal, contact the professionals at Dirt Connections. They are experts at pool removal, and they can answer any questions you may have. In addition to supplying the dirt you need, they have professional workers who can handle all the heavy labor for you, so that you can have your old pool removed as quickly and painlessly as possible.
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