Every winter, homeowners around the country begin the process of closing their pools. Some eagerly await the warmer weather that will allow them to dive in again, while others begin to wonder whether having a pool is really worth the year-round commitment. The time and money spent on chemicals, cleaning, repairs, and safety measures can ultimately become too much to handle. Pool removal services can eliminate the stress and worry that these factors may cause.
If you decide that it’s time to purchase some pool removal services and replace the pool with some perfectly green grass or a brand-new patio, fall is the perfect time to get that process started. In their excitement, many homeowners are tempted to remove the pool themselves. Without specialized knowledge, equipment, and training, though, this effort to save money will actually result in a much bigger bill. Here’s why pool removals are best left to a professional pool removal contractor.
Draining and Filling
Many homeowners get the idea that removing a pool is as simple as draining all of the water and filling the cavity in with dirt. If it were that easy, though, DIY removals would be much more common. Draining the pool too quickly could cause the pool to float out of the ground, resulting in significant plumbing and electrical damage. Filling, too, could cause problems. Simply piling on dirt without first considering drainage will create a giant pit of mud and even more maintenance issues than the original pool did, including damage to pipes, dangerous yard conditions, and an unsightly yard that will need to be cleaned up.
Professional pool removal contractors will drill holes into the bottom of the pool to help avoid these problems. The holes will be spaced and sized in such a way that the cavity can drain easily without causing damage to the pool’s structure. Professional contractors understand how pools are built, which helps them remove them in the safest way. Rather than spend time and money fixing your mistakes, spending a little less to hire a pro can be a smart decision.
Proper Permits
Most cities require that people undergoing construction projects like pool removals have proper permits in place. This helps control noise and maintain a safe work environment for homeowners and neighbors alike, as many permits stipulate that certain requirements must be met while the pool is being removed. Failure to secure the right permits can result in expensive fines, making your pool removal process much more expensive than anticipated. It may also mean that your pool removal will not meet your city’s requirements, making it more difficult to sell the house later.
Professional contractors know how to get the right permits for the job. This helps avoid fines and keep everything on schedule so that you can have your new yard in top shape as quickly as possible. It also ensures that your pool removal is done in accordance with local building codes, making it easier to use your yard and sell your home if you choose to do so in the future.
Tools and Know How
Even the handiest of homeowners likely doesn’t have the knowledge or tools necessary to conduct a professional-grade pool removal. While you can rent much of this equipment, the heavy-duty tools can leave you open to injury and your home susceptible to damage if you aren’t completely sure of how to use them. Improper knowledge can lead to crushed pipes, destroyed sprinklers, septic tank issues, and unsecured gas and electrical lines, among other common issues. The damage — and the expense — can add up.
A professional pool removal contractor will have the training necessary to safely use heavy equipment. He or she will also understand how pools, plumbing, sprinklers, and other yard features are all connected, helping to avoid damaging any of them and causing a bigger problem. The expense of hiring someone who knows what they’re doing will be far less than the expense of repairing serious damage.
Fill Dirt
Most pool removals require the use of fill dirt to fill in the pool cavity. If you choose to remove your pool yourself, you will be responsible for purchasing and storing an enormous quantity of dirt. This can cause several issues. First, fill dirt should be brought in at certain points throughout the pool removal process. Bringing it in too early can make it difficult to maneuver rented equipment around the yard, and purchasing it too late could mean that you’ll need to add extra time to your equipment rentals to make up for the delay and finish the removal. Homeowners who are unfamiliar with pool removals risk purchasing too much fill dirt. If this happens, they will have to figure out a way to remove the dirt to a new location as soon as possible to ensure that their yards remain safe and usable.
Because pool removal contractors have likely completed hundreds of pool removals before, they will be able to accurately estimate the amount of dirt needed to fill your pool. They will also know exactly when to deposit the dirt, making the pool removal process much faster. If there is any dirt left over, a professional contractor will be able to easily remove it for use in a different project after your pool removal services are complete. This saves you the headache of relocating the dirt yourself, allowing you to spend more time enjoying your yard and less cleaning up afterwards.
Choose Professional Pool Removal Services
With so many issues surrounding DIY pool removals, it makes sense to let the pros handle it. Contact a reputable pool removal contractor to schedule professional pool removal services and talk about your options. Dirt Connections offers full and partial pool removals, and its pool removal contractors perform free estimates to help homeowners choose the correct type and properly budget for the service. The company also conducts residential and commercial construction, pipeline fitting, asphalt millings, and construction planning. Dirt Connections has 30 years of experience in helping homeowners achieve the homes of their dreams, providing quick, high-quality residential pool removal services to families who are ready for a change.
