When I was a child, my family moved. It wasn’t a big move, just fifteen minutes up the road. Our family of eight moved from a crowded three-bedroom split level to a four-bedroom two-story mansion, complete with an attic, a garage, and our very own backyard pond. My sister and I were thrilled. Our mother, with four more children under the age of five, was less thrilled about that pond. So, the three of us went out with buckets to begin scooping sludge and water the same color and thickness as motor oil out of this 4’ x 4’ x 3’ pond. A few “Egads,” and a load of gravel and dirt later, and we were done. What surely had been at one time a lovely backyard oasis for a prior homeowner was now a distant memory, filled in, leveled, and with a new hydrangea planted in the middle to boot!
Maybe backyard ponds and backyard pools aren’t that similar, but to new homeowners they pose the same initial question: “What do we do with it?”
Hopefully during the purchasing process, you had a licensed pool contractor come to the property and do a thorough inspection of the pool and it’s equipment. If you didn’t, and now you’re wondering just what it is you may have gotten yourself into, don’t panic. Just call around and have one or two professionals put eyes on the pool now. They can talk you through your options, like repairs, renovation, or removal.
Some pools may just be dirty, but sound of structure under that layer of green. One or two vacuum sessions, a backwash process, and some chlorine and you should be back in business! If I’m honest, I love a good pool cleaning video. And when they break out the pressure washer—mm! The transformation from abandoned swamp to swimmable party pool is unmatched.
On the other hand, say you’ve started cleaning this mess in your yard only to discover a crack or leak, broken tiles, a light that’s completely popped out of the wall… Ok, not ideal. What comes next ranges from repairs to renovations. Consult your local pool professional, and even shop around a bit to get differing opinions and quotes. Sometimes you don’t need to replace any of the mechanical equipment, just a minor tile repair. And sometimes they will recommend refinishing the entire pool. It all depends on what conditions your pool weathered, and for how long, before you came on the scene.
Maybe you’re like my parents and you just want it filled in. Out of sight, out of mind, right? And although it sounds simple enough, tackling the job with mop buckets and a wheelbarrow of gravel isn’t all that your pool will require. I highly recommend speaking to a professional and seeking advice on whether to fill the pool structure, or remove it completely. Things like drainage, settling, and other issues must be taken into consideration, as well as permanent changes to your property’s zoning. Should you or a future property owner wish to extend a current structure or build a new structure where the pool once stood, these future plans may be impacted by your course of action today. Take into consideration as well that dirt alone may not be enough to fill in an unwanted pool. You’ll need gravel, and planting new shrubs or trees in the area will help the new topsoil settle without washing away at the first rain.
The absolute best rule of thumb to ensure nothing is overlooked is to speak with a professional pool remover.
They will be familiar with your state and town zoning regulations, and will be the most reliable resource when it comes to knowledgeability and hands on experience. No one wants a backyard sinkhole, or an unrecorded buried cement structure to ruin their plans this summer, or any summer.
For more thoughts to consider before filling or removing your pool, check out this wealth of information from Dirt Connections.
