While swimming pools can be great for those who enjoy them, they aren’t for everyone. If you find yourself questioning whether to keep or remove an inground pool, you’re not alone. Many homeowners ultimately decide that pool ownership is more trouble than it’s worth. If you’re on the fence about it, here are some of the top reasons to consider scheduling an inground pool removal.
Reasons to Consider Inground Pool Removal
1. Lack of Usage
Pools can provide endless fun, especially for families with young children. However, what happens when those kids grow up and move out? What if you rarely find time for a swim anymore? If the pool is going unused season after season, it’s taking up valuable space for no reason. An abandoned or underutilized pool is simply a waste of maintenance costs and backyard real estate. If you or your family don’t use the pool often enough to justify its upkeep, it may be time to remove it.
2. Expensive Insurance and Liability Risks
Owning a pool significantly increases liability risks. If you plan on renting out your home or inviting guests over regularly, your homeowner’s insurance rates will rise due to the added risk of injuries or drowning. Many insurers consider pools an “attractive nuisance,” meaning they pose a hidden danger—especially to unsupervised children.
Even with fencing and signage, the liability risk remains, making home insurance premiums much higher than homes without pools. By removing your pool, you can not only save on insurance costs but also reduce liability risks and potential legal concerns.
3. High Cost of Maintenance and Repairs
Keeping a pool clean and functioning is an ongoing and often expensive task. Between weekly chemical treatments, cleaning, filter replacements, and repairs, maintenance can easily cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year. Pool owners also face major expenses when older pools require resurfacing or repairing cracked pool structures.
If you’re already spending more time maintaining your pool than enjoying it, removing it outright can be a cost-effective decision. Investing in pool removal eliminates ongoing expenses, giving you long-term financial relief.
4. Creating More Usable Space in Your Yard
Pools take up a significant amount of space, leaving homeowners with little room for other backyard features like gardens, patios, decks, fire pits, or outdoor kitchens. If you’ve ever wanted to redesign your backyard, but the pool takes up most of the available space, removing it gives you endless landscaping possibilities.
Many homeowners opt to replace their pool with:
- A larger lawn for children and pets to play on
- A beautiful garden or vegetable patch
- A deck or patio for entertaining guests
- A fire pit or outdoor kitchen
Removing a pool allows you to reclaim your backyard and customize it to fit your lifestyle.
5. Lowering Home Selling Challenges & Increasing Property Value
A common misconception is that swimming pools increase home value. While pools can be appealing to a niche market, many buyers see them as costly, high-maintenance, and a potential liability—especially for families with young children or elderly relatives.
A neglected or damaged pool can actively lower your home’s value, making it harder to sell. Many prospective buyers prefer to avoid homes with pools altogether because they don’t want to deal with the maintenance, insurance, and safety concerns. If you’re planning to sell your home, consulting a real estate agent can help determine whether your pool is helping or hurting your asking price.
If it’s deterring potential buyers, removing the pool could make your home more marketable and accessible to a larger range of buyers.
6. Safety Concerns
Pools can pose serious safety risks, especially if they are not properly fenced. Unsupervised children, pets, or elderly individuals can accidentally fall into pools, leading to drowning hazards.
Additionally, stagnant or green water pools that aren’t regularly maintained create a breeding ground for bacteria, algae, and mosquitoes, increasing the risk of:
- Mosquito infestations, including disease-carrying species
- Skin irritation from contaminated water
- Waterborne illnesses
If safety is a major concern in your household, pool removal is a smart way to prevent accidents before they happen.
The Pool Removal Process
So, you’ve decided that removing your pool is the best choice. How does the process work?
At Dirt Connections, we make inground pool removal quick and hassle-free with our professional demolition and fill services.
Step 1: Draining the Pool
Before demolition begins, we safely drain all water from the pool. This prevents standing water from interfering with the removal process and ensures safety during excavation.
Step 2: Drilling Drainage Holes
To prevent rainwater or groundwater accumulation, we drill multiple small holes into the base of the pool. This allows water to drain naturally over time.
Step 3: Partial or Full Demolition
- Partial Pool Removal: We remove the top layer of the structure and leave the lower portions intact. The remaining debris is crushed and compacted into the hole.
- Full Pool Removal: We completely break apart and remove all pool materials, including concrete, rebar, and liner. The debris is hauled away for proper disposal.
Step 4: Filling the Hole with Dirt
Once the pool is demolished, we bring in high-quality fill dirt to restore the space. The dirt is carefully compacted to prevent sinking and to prepare the area for landscaping, sod installation, or further home improvements.
Step 5: Site Cleanup and Final Grading
We ensure the site is leveled, graded, and ready for whatever plans you have—whether it’s planting grass, installing a patio, or designing a new outdoor space.
Call Dirt Connections for Your Inground Pool Removal
At Dirt Connections, we specialize in efficient, reliable pool removal services to help homeowners reclaim their yards. Whether you’re looking to improve safety, reduce maintenance costs, free up space, or increase your home’s value, our team of experts can handle the job from start to finish.
Why Choose Dirt Connections?
- Experienced in residential and commercial pool removals
- Fast and efficient service with minimal disruption
- High-quality fill dirt for smooth, stable results
- Competitive pricing with no hidden fees
Don’t let an unused, costly, or hazardous pool hold you back from enjoying your outdoor space. Contact Dirt Connections today for a free consultation and estimate, and let’s transform your backyard into something truly valuable!