So you are considering doing a fiberglass pool removal yourself? That’s saving $4000+
OK, these can be quite tricky…
You can remove it but ensure you there is no ground water that may lead to suction… that will damage it.
The way I have successfully done it in the past WITH NO PROBLEMS is to take all the water out and put it under the pool so that it will float. After which I tie straps to the pool and crane it out of the hole. You might need a permit and more depending on your location.
DIY Fiberglass Pool Removal Step-by-Step Process
- First, get all the needed permits from your local municipality governing area where your pool is to be taken out.
- Next, put a call through to Miss Utility as per the local laws. Ensure it is to cover all areas of disturbance within the limits of disturbance.
- Determine egress into the property.
- By using track protection devices, you provide protection for the lawn areas. This will bring soil disturbance to the minimal and will get rid or reduce the square footage of disturbance.
- Get rid of any fencing or landscape to gain access to work area.
- Next, install silt fence on the lower side of the property only when the slop is higher than 15%.
- Pump out or drain any water that linger in the pool shell. The water collected are to be disposed off-site in strict accordance to local regulations.
- Break and take away the bottom of the pool and get rid of it properly with the local recycling program.
- Check out the local recycling program before removing pool accessories such as lights, covers, diving boards, ladders, and etc. DO NOT LEAVE ANY WIRES HOT.
- Turn off electricity to this equipment’s at the beaker. Any exposed wires from the junction boxes will either need to be terminated by a licensed electrician or install a wire nut on all wires and wrap each point with electrical tape for an electrician to properly get rid of the point of connection at a later point of time.
- NEVER REMOVE METAL FRAME UNTIL YOU RECEIVED YOUR INSPECTION APPROVAL. That is because the removal of the frame at this point will get rid of the integrity of the soils and create a very unsafe environment.
- Next, Call in for inspection.
ALSO SEE: Putting Bleach in Salt Water Pool , Is It Safe?
Take pictures.
- Removal of metal framed sides and dead-men under the descking. Ensure you take away any Lights, skimmers, PVC piping, Jets, etc and dispose of properly with the local recycling program.
- Some local municipalities require a minimum depth of 36” of aggregate fill. If there is not enough of the existing aggregate to fill to this point. Recycled aggregate fill will need to be brought in to achieve this depth. Recycled concrete #2 stone.
Take pictures.
- Put a layer of filter cloth covering the whole aggregrate plus some additional around all sides for movement when soil is added.
- Now, fill the dirt up to close to final grade as possible.
- Compact the fill-dirt in 6-8” lifts to prevent settling of soils.
Take pictures.
- Final covering of soil is to be an enriched screened topsoil (amended with 25% organic matter), viable as a planting medium.
- DO NOT COMPACT THE FINAL several inches of soil to the rating denoted previously. Compacted soils restrict grass seed growth and do not allow for the soils maximum water holding capacity.
- Seed area using a standard contractor blend of seed at a rate of approximately 12 pounds per 1,000 square feet. Used the contractor blend that is common to your hardiness zone.
Take pictures showing the seed.
- Lightly rate in the seed to lightly cultivate the seed into the soils. Cover entire area with straw. Approximately 5 bales of straw per 1,000 sf.
- Repair the egress into the property to restore lawns.
Take pictures.
- Repair access point to work area as needed.
- Remove the silt fence.
- Call in for Final Inspection.
Take pictures.
- Last step is to create photo journal of all photos taken during construction for the owner’s records. Your local tax authority may require this as proof that the pool structure was in fact removed. Make one for yourself too, just in case.
- At the end of each day, you should limit pedestrian foot traffic from entering the work area by using OSHA approved pedestrian safety devices. (Orange poly fencing).
How to Get Rid of Fiberglas Pool due to Leak
- It is quite easy to do. Simply follow the steps:
- Break the concrete around the pool, 2’ or more back.
- Next, dig out the sand around the pool, then drain the water.
- Now, cut all pipes connected to the pool (a reciprocating swazall/saw works great(.
- For large pools, just place wood supports or spreader beams across the pool.
- Then attach heavy duty lifting straps to all four corners.
- Once attached, slowly lift up the pool. You can use a large boom fork lift or a crane to do this.
That’s it!
How To Remove An Inground Pool Yourself
Note: You might need an extra set of hands (especially if you’re a female to complete these steps). We will be sharing two methods here.
METHOD ONE
Step 1, Concrete & rebar removal
You can rent a jackhammer or buy one for this if you want.
Step 2, Metal braces and metal wall removal
Use a great sawsall or rotary cutter to cut 2 feets down and find someone to haul it off as FREE SCRAP.
Step 3, Remove posts. (One person
Dig out any hollow posts, and then use a tractor to pull them out.
Step 4, Fill
Haul in a load of Donnafill, and spread it out across the pool manually so it doesn’t end up all on one end of the pool.
Step 5, Level and fill some more.
Hire a tractor to scrape the area surrounding the pool, then level the ground a bit. Next, bring in two loads of fill dirt.
METHOD TWO
Step 1,
Use a box cutter to get rid of the liner
Step 2,
Rent a cutting torch and use it to cut the metal frame
Step 3,
Now, use a bobcat to fill in the pool.
Step 4,
Jackhammer the concrete from around the pool and use it to make raised bed gardens.
When you flip the cement upside down and stack, it looks like a flagstone.
Step 5,
Once the gardens are done. Simply fill them with good top soil and plant away.
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