If you rarely use your swimming pool or you find that you are not enjoying it enough to justify the expense and worry associated with having a pool on your property, it is time to consider inground pool removal.
Inground pool removal entails breaking up and removing all the materials used in the pool’s lining, hauling it away, and filling and compacting the empty area. Many homeowners choose to remove their pool because of a single concern, such as cost or safety. However, there are several other advantages of having a swimming pool removed from your yard.
Below are some of the benefits that await when you have your inground pool removed by professionals.
Saving Money
Having a swimming pool on your property can be a significant expense. Statistics from Home Advisor illustrate just how quickly maintenance can add up. According to their figures, most professionals charge between $75 and $100 per hour for pool maintenance services, although this depends on the size and type of pool involved.
Homeowners can expect to spend between $100 and $150 per month for weekly or bi-weekly maintenance services that include checking water levels, testing water chemistry, emptying skimmers and applying chemicals.
There are also closing and opening costs to consider if you do not use the pool year-round. Closing and winterization, which includes tasks like shocking the water, lowering water levels, closing and storing filter elements and installing the cover, can cost $150 to $300. Opening the pool can cost upward of $150 depending on its condition.
There are also utility costs to consider. Homeowners can pay as much as $300 a year for the electricity needed to operate their swimming pool’s pump. Having a swimming pool also increases your water bill, with the cost of filling a standard 15,000 to 30,000-gallon pool with city water somewhere between $60 and $120. Heated pools carry additional utility costs.
Moreover, HomeAdvisor reports that the annual cost of basic pool upkeep is between $1,200 and $1,800 per year, along with a further $1,800 to $3,200 per year on repairs, electricity and water. Once you factor in the expenses of utilities and swimming pool repairs, homeowners can expect to pay as much as $5,000 a year to keep their pool in working condition.
All of these costs can be eliminated when a swimming pool is removed.
Gaining Space
One of the greatest benefits of swimming pool removal is gaining more space in your yard that can be used for other purposes. In many homes, a swimming pool occupies the bulk of the yard, which means there is little space left for gardening, playing, practicing sports or entertaining in the yard.
The average size of a rectangular swimming pool ranges from 10 feet by 20 feet at the lower end of the scale to 20 feet by 40 feet at the higher end. This means that significant yard space can be reclaimed through swimming pool removal.
Depending on how the swimming pool is removed, this area may be used to build structures like sheds, decks or gazebos. However, many homeowners choose to use the space where their swimming pool once stood for gardening, landscaping features, patios, fireplaces or artificial turf for children to play.
Eliminating Maintenance Time And Costs
Maintaining a swimming pool can be a time-consuming effort, particularly if you are trying to save money by doing it yourself rather than paying for professional pool maintenance services. Monitoring the water’s pH levels, cleaning the pool area constantly to avoid debris dirtying the water and clogging up the filters, and discouraging mosquitoes from nesting in the water in summer can take a considerable amount of time and energy.
Removing Safety Worries
For many homeowners, having a swimming pool can be a source of significant stress, particularly those who have children living in the home. According to statistics cited by the Pool Safety Foundation, more than 2,000 children aged five and under are treated in hospital emergency rooms every year for submersion injuries.
Unfortunately, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that drowning is the top cause of injury death for American children aged one to four, and the third leading cause of injury death among those aged five to nineteen. This highlights the importance of keeping a close eye on children of all ages, not only while they are swimming but also while they are playing outdoors if there is a swimming pool on the premises. This can be a significant worry for families, particularly when other children are visiting.
Homeowners must follow important measures to keep the pool area safe, including using a safety cover or installing a pool fence that meets their local regulations, and keeping safety equipment readily available nearby. These measures can be costly, and it might also be necessary to take out a larger home insurance policy because of the many risks associated with pool ownership.
Improving Your Home’s Resale Prospects
In some cases, swimming pool removal can make your home more attractive to potential buyers. Many home buyers do not want the expense and safety worries associated with a pool. In fact, HouseLogic estimates that swimming pools only increase a home’s value if the home is in a high-end neighborhood where most homes have swimming pools, the home is located in a warm climate where the pool can be used year-round, the pool does not occupy the entire yard and there is still plenty of space for gardening or playing, and the style of the pool fits in well with the neighborhood.
Reach Out To The Inground Pool Removal Experts
If you are interested in learning more about having your swimming pool removed, get in touch with the experienced inground pool removal professionals at Dirt Connections. Our experts can advise you on the best approach to take when it comes to demolishing your pool. We can assist with obtaining the necessary permits and disconnecting utilities as needed, haul away all the materials, level the backyard and leave the space in the perfect condition for however you plan to use it next.
Summary
Dirt Connections was started with one goal in mind: providing quality residential and commercial construction services to clients on time and on budget. Reach out for more information on how we can support your next project.
For your convenience our estimates are free and by appointment. Call 703-940-9949 for a free estimate today!