Swimming pools are a lot of fun. Until they aren’t. Maybe it’s because the burden of pool maintenance becomes too heavy, or perhaps it’s because your lifestyle has changed. You simply aren’t using the pool as much anymore; whatever the reasons, it’s merely a reality that sometimes pool ownership loses its luster. When this happens, it’s time to remove the pool.
While swimming pool removal costs in New Jersey might tempt you to make removing your pool this weekend’s DIY project, think again. Pool removal is strictly a job for professionals for the following four reasons:
- Method
Pools can be partially or entirely removed. Choosing the right method is a critical first step. When it comes to strategy, the first question is really about local codes; many municipalities only allow full removal. A professional pool remover will help you determine which method is right for you in your area. - Heavy Equipment
Removing a pool requires the use of heavy equipment. Professional contractors bring special equipment carefully into your yard and to demolish the structure and remove the debris. Doing this yourself risks causing expensive, unintended damages to your property. And, unless you’re a whiz at operating the machinery, don’t underestimate the difficulty of maneuvering heavy equipment around a large hole in the ground. - Underground Utilities
Your swimming pool is likely attached to underground water and power lines. If they’re not connected, these underground utilities are inevitably running nearby. Skilled pool removal contractors know how to locate these utilities and successfully avoid them during the excavation process. Inadvertently damaging underground utility lines causes problems that are expensive and difficult to repair. - Filling
Once the pool is demolished, either partially or entirely, the next step is to backfill the hole. Getting this step right is critical; an improperly filled hole will sink and make the space completely unstable and unusable. If you want a stable, level area that meets all local codes, you need to manage the following:- Choosing the right fill dirt. All dirt is not created equal. You can’t fill the pool cavity with any soil. You need a fill material free from trash, clay, and organic materials that make it difficult to compact and impede drainage.
- Getting the ratio right. Your fill material needs to have the right fill-to-topsoil ratio to provide a solid foundation of compacted dirt as well as a layer of topsoil where new grass can grow.
- Calculating the right quantity of fill material. It’s easy to underestimate the amount of fill you need. Carefully measure the length, width, and depth of the pool in feet and then calculate the pool’s capacity in cubic feet. Divide that figure by 27 to give you the approximate cubic yards of fill you will need.
Professional contractors take backfilling a pool seriously. They have the skills and expertise required to get this part of the job done right and code.
Don’t Risk It; Hire a Professional
Call Atlantic Pool Experts for pool removal in New Jersey. We have the experience and knowledge to remove your inground pool and create a safe and stable yard space in its wake. When you’re ready to say goodbye to your swimming pool, call us for a free consultation, and then get ready to enjoy your yard in a whole new way.