The Homeowner's Guide to Swimming Pool Demolition and Removal (2023)

FAQs

Does removing pool decrease 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.

Although it may seem scary to leave water in a pool during freezing temperatures, you can actually damage your pool more by removing too much water. Your water should only be drained so it sits just below the skimmer and jets.

Removing a Concrete Pool

This can be a DIY job, but it requires a lot of equipment and preferably some demo experience. It's going to be loud and messy. It's going to cost between $5,000 to $15,000 or more to take out.

After removing your pool it's smart to consider your overall landscape. Lawn or synthetic turf would be a good start and be a great focal point. Adding evergreen shrubbery and perennials also adds interest. These two elements together can create an inviting quality to your new backyard landscape.

The real estate appraiser looks at closed sale prices of homes and determines if homes with pools sell for more or less than homes without pools. Every neighborhood is different. During a home appraisal, the pool's worth can be determined by the type of construction of the pool.

How much value does a pool add to a home? The experts are a split on how much a pool can contribute to a home's value. One HouseLogic study suggests an increase of 7 percent, at most, under ideal conditions, while HGTV reports that the average in-ground pool can up your property's value by 5 to 8 percent.

It's normal to lose an inch or less of water to evaporation in a typical week. However, if your bucket test results point to a leak, it's a good idea to call in a pool professional.

In most cases, you will want to drain the pool to be at least 4 to 6 inches below the top of the skimmer. This allows adequate space for expansion of the water throughout the winter without risking damage to the pool.

If you're pumping at 30 gallons/minute, or 1,800 gallons/hour, and you have a 25,000 gallon (94,635.3 L) pool, it will take roughly 14 hours to drain the pool.

First, it's never a good idea to leave your pool empty if there is even the slightest risk of groundwater in your area. Second, never let an uninsured contractor drain your pool. Additionally, never drain your pool by yourself. The risk of “floating” your pool increases as your water level drops.

Can an inground pool be empty? ›

Draining a pool is a risky business for several reasons. Your pool is not meant to be empty. Whether you have a vinyl, concrete, or fiberglass pool, it is at its best when it's full of water. Once the water is drained, you open yourself up to all sorts of damage, so drain a pool only when there is no other option.

Draining or emptying your pool of water can create a number of financial and structural headaches, including: Cracking the pool's shell. Damaging the interior lining or surface. Damaging the pool's coping and surrounding paving or timber work.

Inground pool removal typically involves draining the pool, drilling holes in the bottom, demolishing the top, and filling the pool with the rubble and additional dirt soil. However, above ground pool removal is less complicated, involving just draining the pool, tearing it down, and hauling it away.

Usually, the cheapest and easiest solution is to remove just the top layer of the pool and any tiled or decked surrounds and fill it in with the appropriate compacted material and soil. Holes will need to be punched into the remaining pool floor to prevent it refilling and flooding the area.

If you have an above-ground swimming pool, it will cost less to remove and take less time. You'll still want to hire a professional, but removing an above-ground pool involves only draining the pool, tearing it down and removing the debris. Expect to pay roughly $2,000 to have an above-ground pool removed.

A: When temperatures are consistently below 65 degrees Fahrenheit it's a good time to close your pool. If you can wait until it's below 60 degrees, that's even better. Winterizing your pool when it's too warm can cause issues next spring from algae and bacteria growth.

The good news is that yes, installing a pool will increase the value of your home and, therefore, will be considered a home improvement. Home improvements like a pool are considered capital improvements that increase your property value.

Updating appliances or any major systems, like plumbing, electrical or HVAC, can be costly, so if yours are outdated, it could affect the overall value of the home. And if the interior hasn't been changed for decades, it may not appeal to buyers, which can also cause the value to decrease.

The home's location has the biggest impact on the valuation. The value will be negatively impacted if the home is in an undesirable neighborhood or situated next to a junkyard, power lines, or a busy street.

There are many variables to consider, but experts estimate that a swimming pool retains 15 to 25 percent of the original investment. Return on investment fluctuates based on factors such as location and condition. The location directly impacts the residual value of the swimming pool.

What is a value pool? ›

A value pool tracks the monetary amount of included usage that a subscription spends in a rating period. A subscription can have multiple value pools, for example, a mobile subscription may have a $100 value pool for local calls and a $50 value pool for mobile data downloads.

Therefore, she says the absence of a garage can decrease the appraised value by as much as 20 percent. But those who've been priced out of certain neighborhoods may find the savings appealing.

Pool Is Losing 1 Inch of Water Per Day

Losing more than ½” of pool water per day indicates you likely have a leak in your pool's structure or your pool pump system. You should call your pool service for a thorough leak inspection. You might not be able to keep up with refilling your pool at this point.

The average pool water evaporation rate is about a quarter of an inch of water per day or more than two inches in a week, which on a 33′ x 18′ swimming pool (an average pool size) is more than 2500 liters or approximately 600 gallons a week; this may vary depending on your climate and the factors listed above.

It's a good idea to shock the water a few days before closing the pool and then adding the algaecide the day you shut it down and cover it. It's recommended that you treat the water for algae problems before covering the pool and the same goes for any type of metal that has been sitting in the water all summer.

Never drain pool or spa to a septic system. Drain your pool or spa water to your vegetated landscape, lawn or rocky areas on your property that allow the water to percolate into the ground. Salt or saline pool water contains higher concentrations of salts that can be more damaging to plants and soils.

We strongly recommend sealing off the return and skimmer to your pool. If you simply reduce the water level, you are leaving your return and skimmer susceptible to ice damage, especially if we have a precipitation-filled winter that causes your water level to rise.

Due to these temperature parameters, the ideal time of year to drain a pool is usually in the spring or fall. Spring is a fantastic time to go because the freshwater will be perfect for swimming in the summer.

Using a submersible pump is the fastest way to drain your pool. It acts like a vacuum to remove water quickly, but you'll need to monitor it while it's running. A garden hose siphon is another option for draining out water, but it will take much longer.

Does it hurt to run pool pump 24 hours a day? ›

The size of your pool, the efficiency of your pump and filter, and how dirty your pool is are just some of the factors you need to consider. Nevertheless, most pool cleaning professionals would advise against running a pool pump for more than 8 hours a day.

Pools with vinyl liners will last more than 20 years, as long as you replace your liner every 6-12 years. Concrete pools have exceptional longevity, but you need to resurface the concrete every 10 years or so. Fiberglass pools have the longest lifespans of any in-ground pool, often easily surpassing 30 years.

Pour one gallon of robelle Non-toxic Swimming Pool Antifreeze down the skimmer. install gizzmo in the skimmer. you will need one gallon of non-toxic swimming pool antifreeze for each 25 feet of underground line to and from the pool (including all skimmer lines, all returns, and the main drain).

Close the pool for winter – but don't drain it.

In winter, the water in your pool is still your friend. Especially when properly winterized, it helps to protect the pool liner, keep it clean and prevent unnecessary damage from debris, harsh weather and other factors.

Draining your pool soon after or before a rainstorm increases the risk that your pool will pop out because of the pressure exerted by rainwater in the soil.

Main drains are not required in an inground swimming pool, however, they are strongly recommended and can be extremely useful in some circumstances. The advantages of main drains are to give you the ability to drain the water from your pool without the use of a sump pump. This is useful when replacing your pool liner.

Drains and Skimmer

The main drain is the primary way that water is drawn from your pool into the pump and filter. The main drain is located on the bottom of the pool in the deepest part. Most pools have one, but larger pools may have multiple main drains. Main drains must be protected by an approved cover.

It's important to drain all the equipment so the water won't expand and cause damage when temperatures fall below freezing. Clear the water from the pool lines using a blower, then plug them up with expansion plugs. If you want to be extra careful about preventing burst pipes, consider adding pool antifreeze.

Surrounding your inground pool with a concrete deck is a great way to enhance its beauty and functionality. But even a well-made pool deck can sink into the ground over time, causing it to crack, crumble, or break apart entirely.

Fill The Area With Soil

This will ensure that your ground has a solid base and a top that is soft enough for sod or seeds to grow. If you will be planting grass, you will need at least 6 inches of topsoil. You should hire experts to fill the area with soil so they can ensure it is properly compacted.

How much water do I need to remove from my inground pool? ›

Using the drain/waste setting, drop the water level to about 30 centimetres (1 foot) below the water returns. Don't forget to remove the return heads; to do this, simply unscrew the bolts.

Submersing in water

According to advocates for grounding, water may be used to ground in the same way the physical earth is used for grounding. They suggest simply wading in a clear lake or swimming in the ocean as a way to ground yourself.

To ground a pool, an electrician will connect the pool equipment to the electrical panel, which will supply power, and this system will then connect to the ground through a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) breaker.

Pros and Cons of Burying an Above Ground Pool

Perhaps the best benefit of a buried above ground pool is getting the in-ground look you want at a smaller price point. In most cases, above ground pools will cost less than in-ground pools, so it may be possible to save money choosing the former over the latter.

Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to safely move your above-ground pool from one location to another, whether that's across the backyard or across the state. With careful analysis and preparation, your pool can stay in use for years to come.

If you don't plan to put the pool up in the same location next year, you may want your grass to come back. Unfortunately you can't 'revive' dead things. Sorry. Instead, you could purchase sod to place in the circle or you can aerate the soil, then reseed.

Use a rake to gather the debris pieces into a pile, and then remove the pile by hand. Bag it and dump it in a garbage. If the debris is floating and not in the bottom of the pool, you can opt for a leaf net to trap the debris along the water's surface.

Installing an above-ground pool on a natural grass lawn is not a good idea, particularly if you plan on taking down the pool for part of the year. There are several reasons why natural grass and above-ground pools do not mix well, but one of the most important is that the pool is going to kill the grass.

In most cases, you will want to drain the pool to be at least 4 to 6 inches below the top of the skimmer. This allows adequate space for expansion of the water throughout the winter without risking damage to the pool.

Should pool be next to house or away? ›

According to national standards for pool locations, a swimming pool, whether it's a lap pool or infinity pool, should be at least 10 feet away from the exterior walls of a house.

You want to make your home more energy efficient, and the pool is wasting resources. The water used to fill the pool and the energy costs to keep it running can cause a significant spike in your utility bills. If the costs do not equal the benefit, it may be time to get an estimate to have the pool removed.

Close the pool for winter – but don't drain it.

In winter, the water in your pool is still your friend. Especially when properly winterized, it helps to protect the pool liner, keep it clean and prevent unnecessary damage from debris, harsh weather and other factors.

If you ask an appraiser what adding a pool to your home will do to its value, they're likely to say it won't do anything at all. Appraisers and many other real estate experts will tell you that you're actually not going to see a return on that investment.

There are many variables to consider, but experts estimate that a swimming pool retains 15 to 25 percent of the original investment. Return on investment fluctuates based on factors such as location and condition. The location directly impacts the residual value of the swimming pool.

While there is no definitive answer, most experts agree that pools should be drained and refilled every three to five years. This will help to keep the water clean and clear and will prevent any build-up of dirt or debris. Additionally, draining and refilling your pool will help to extend its lifespan.

Not exactly. Realtors still say many potential buyers search for a house with a pool. Water officials say pools can be managed to minimize evaporation and they're not as wasteful as lawns or leaky toilets.

Most in- ground concrete pools are built structurally to withstand the weight of the dirt against them when drained. However, if the ground water is high enough, it can push the entire pool out of the ground.

It can be surprising to learn that you should not leave your swimming pool empty. Most guidelines for closing a pool will advise to just lower the level of water below the skimmer and jet level. This is done to ensure that the plumbing lines remain clear and are not left at risk for bursting or freezing.

On average, a concrete pool can range anywhere from $50,000 to $200,000. Again, on average. These pools can end up costing even more depending on customization and other factors.

Why do houses in Florida have screened in pools? ›

Florida homeowners install pool enclosures as a safety barrier option when building a backyard pool. Pool cages are very common in central Florida due to the pool safety requirements. They also provide an excellent barrier to bugs and harsh sunlight.

In Florida, it's estimated that having a pool will increase house value by more than 5% to 8%, considering the factors listed above. That is the climate, ongoing trend, pool service and maintenance, pool landscaping, the lifestyle of buyers.

Though returns have traditionally been placed 12 to 18 inches below the water's surface, more professionals are recommending that they be installed closer to the floor.

A pool can increase not only your social worth but also the value of your home. However, the increase is probably not as much as you think. According to HouseLogic, there's no real guarantee that you'll make your money back. In fact, adding a swimming pool may only increase your home's value by 7%.

A typical pool has two or three returns depending on the pool size. The return is usually a 1 1/2″ threaded opening that may have a directional eyeball that screws into it, (directional eyeballs are used to “aim” the water thereby enhancing proper water circulation within the pool).