Pools come out for all kinds of reasons: the kids grew up, the insurance went up, the shell is cracked, or a buyer wants a yard instead. Whatever the reason, the steps are mostly the same. What changes from one South Florida yard to the next is access, the water table and whether you want the option to build on that spot later.
The process
What happens, in order
Choose the method and get the permit
Full removal takes the whole shell out. A partial removal, often called a fill-in, breaks the top of the shell and leaves the rest buried. The permit, and later what you can build there, depends on which one you choose.
Disconnect the equipment
The pump, filter, heater and lights are shut off and disconnected, electrical circuits are made safe, and a gas heater line is capped by someone qualified.
Drain it the right way
Pool water usually can't just be dumped into the storm drain, especially if it's chlorinated or salty. Cities have rules on where and how it can go.
Break out the shell
An excavator with a hydraulic breaker breaks up the deck, coping and shell. For a full removal, everything comes out and gets hauled. For a partial, the bottom is broken through so water can drain.
Fill and compact in layers
Clean fill goes in a layer at a time, and each layer is compacted. Dumping it all in at once is how yards sink a year later.
Inspection and grading
The building department inspects before the area is closed up, and many full removals include compaction testing. Then the area is graded and ready for sod, pavers or whatever comes next.
The South Florida part
Groundwater and pools
Pools can float
In much of South Florida the water table is high. An empty pool shell can be pushed up by the groundwater around it, which is why pools aren't drained and left sitting.
Drain and break in the same window
The safest approach is to drain and break through the bottom right away, so groundwater can come in instead of pushing the shell up.
Wet holes
In some yards the hole fills with groundwater while the work is going on. That affects how the fill goes in and how it's compacted.
Planning
Things to sort out before work starts
Access
Equipment usually needs a path of about eight feet or more. A fence panel or a gate may need to come down and go back up.
Future plans
If you might build an addition or a structure where the pool was, full removal with compaction testing is the safer choice.
Paperwork
Keep the permit and inspection records. Buyers, insurers and future contractors will want to know what's under the yard.
Related
Keep reading
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to remove a pool in Florida?
Most residential pool removals take about a week on site, depending on the size, access and whether it's a full or partial removal. The permit usually takes longer than the work.
Do I need a permit to remove a pool in Florida?
Yes. Pool removal or fill-in needs a permit, and the building department inspects the work before it's closed up.
Can a pool pop out of the ground when it's drained?
Yes. In areas with a high water table, groundwater can push an empty shell upward. That's why a pool being removed is drained and broken through in the same work window instead of being left empty.
Can I build where the pool was?
With a full removal, compacted fill and passing tests, usually yes. With a partial fill-in, building there may be limited, and it should be disclosed when you sell.
Where does the pool water go?
It depends on your city's rules. Chlorinated or salt water generally can't go straight into the storm drain, so the contractor drains it according to local requirements.
This article is general information. Pool removal methods, drainage rules and inspection requirements vary by city and county. Confirm with your building department before work starts.