Pool Removal in Atlanta, GA

Pool removal takes out an inground or aboveground pool that has become more work than it is worth. Owners call when a pool needs a costly new liner or resurfacing, when the equipment has failed, when the yard is wanted for something else, or when selling a house where buyers do not want the upkeep. Done right, the result is level, stable ground. Done poorly, it is a soggy depression that settles for years.

Partial removal versus full removal

Partial removal (fill-in). The pool is drained, holes are punched through the floor so water can drain out, the top of the walls is broken down and pushed in, and the shell is backfilled and compacted. It costs less and is common for concrete and gunite pools. The trade-off is that part of the old pool stays buried, which can limit what can be built in that spot later and may need to be disclosed when the house is sold.

Full removal. The entire shell, deck and equipment come out, and the hole is filled with compacted soil. It costs more but leaves no buried structure. Angi's guide notes that vinyl and fiberglass pools require full removal.

We price both options so you can weigh the cost against your plans for the yard.

Why compaction matters on Atlanta clay

The red clay around Atlanta holds water and settles when it is dumped loose into a hole. Backfill needs to go in layers and be compacted as it rises, with drainage through the old pool floor on a partial removal. Atlanta averages about 50 inches of rain a year, per Wikipedia, so a poorly drained fill-in can turn into a soggy patch after the first wet season. We top the fill with soil suitable for grass or planting and grade it to drain away from the house.

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Before the pool comes out

• Permits. Some cities and counties require a permit for pool removal or for the grading that follows. We check the rules for your address.
• Draining. Where the water goes matters; some places allow draining to the yard or street and others do not. We follow the local rule.
• Utilities. Electrical to pumps and lights is disconnected by an electrician, and gas to any heater is shut off and capped.
• Access. Most backyard pools need a path wide enough for a skid steer or small excavator, which sometimes means removing a section of fence.
• Trees. Large trees near the pool are protected, and we plan the equipment route around them.

Aboveground pools

Aboveground pools are a much smaller job. Angi puts aboveground removal at $300 to $800, usually done in under four hours. We drain the pool, take down the wall, liner and frame, and haul it away, then rake out the sand base.