Over time, swimming pools can become burdensome for Atlanta homeowners due to high maintenance costs, outdated styles, safety concerns, and backyard renovations favoring new landscaping. When these factors make your Atlanta pool more problematic than enjoyable, full removal likely looms ahead.
And in a region like Atlanta with expansive clay-heavy soils, removing an inground pool, especially structurally integrated with a concrete deck, demands proper planning using qualified contractors to prevent extensive repairs later. Follow this guide when preparing to demolish and fill your Atlanta, Georgia pool.
Determine Timeline and Budget
Pool removal stretches across multiple phases – permitting, emptying, disconnection, demolition, hole filling/compacting, grading, landscaping. While a major renovation investment, a timeline over several weeks reduces daily disruption to your household. Be wary of lowball quotes promising fast one-day demolitions which often lack proper planning.
Realistically budget for:
- Permit fees especially if abandoning underground plumbing lines
- Pool water disposal and underground line capping by specialists
- Material hauling fees for debris removal and backfill delivery
- Multi-week equipment rental for excavation, grading and compaction
- New topsoil, sod and plants or hardscaping materials post-demolition
Expect total costs ranging from $8,000-$15,000+ for professionally managed Atlanta pool removal protecting long-term property integrity.
Secure Permitting and Inspections
Most counties surrounding Atlanta require permits before pool demolition to ensure safe utility coordination, environmental precautions and site plan approvals post-removal. Secure necessary permits before authorizing any work. Require licensed contractors showing current credentials.
Check professional swimming pool removal solutions in Atlanta, Georgia. They are highly recommended because they’ve passed the points of our checklist.
Coordinate Utility Shutoffs
Another essential planning step involves formally disconnecting pool systems from water, gas and electric public utility lines. Leaving abandoned underground lines risks safety hazards and code violations. Hire qualified technicians like plumbers and electricians to formally cap lines and remove meters no longer necessary.
Hire Qualified Pool Removal Contractors
While dismantling concrete and hauling debris seems straightforward, soil stability across Atlanta demands calculated pool removal sequenced just right. Attempting hurried do-it-yourself methods often backfires long-term. Protect your property by hiring contractors experienced specifically removing Atlanta inground pools properly.
Verify credentials like:
- Years experience demolishing Atlanta pools
- Extensive insurance coverage
- Regional reputation through reviews
- Formally trained staff both licensed and certified
- Backed by a company with longevity rather than solo act
Vet removal plans for:
- Pool draining methods meeting environmental regulations
- Step-by-step demolition plans reflecting local soil types and intended backyard redesign
- Hauling team capacity ensuring no leftover debris lingers onsite for weeks
- Options reusing concrete pieces recycled into patio stones
Such due diligence avoids amateur errors jeopardizing backyard integrity down the road.
Execute Meticulous Pool Removal
Upon approving a qualified contractor presenting comprehensive demolition plans attuned to Atlanta’s unique soil composition, pool removal implementation still demands meticulous stages not rushed.
Initial Draining
First, water gets drained following wastewater regulations since chemicals now classify it as hazardous. Existing plumbing systems channel out water before capping lines.
Methodical Demolition
With the pool emptied, demolition begins systematically breaking up the shell from tile, coping and plaster working down to the steel framework then cracking the surrounding deck away from property foundations.
Debris Removal
This tedious stage requires tons of concrete chunks, pipes and rubble get hauled away through numerous truck trips. Unreliable contractors quit once initial demo looks complete leaving cleanup half-done stalling the process.
Excavation
The deep hole left requires excavators and loaders systematically scrape away remaining soils until reaching stable bases around pipes. Rushing leaves uneven pits prompting sinkholes and cracks later.
Controlled Backfilling and Compaction
Imported soils backfill in deliberate layers each compacted through heavy machinery driving over repeatedly. Failed compaction sinks over time. Testing compaction densities ensures stability.
Final Landscaping Prep
Once engineers certify new grade alignment, new topsoils get brought in for laying fresh sod, planting trees and flowers or hardscaping preferred amenities like firepits over the renewed space.
Post-Removal Inspections
Finally, over several weeks inspect the pool removal area ensuring surfaces drain properly without uneven settling that indicates improper compaction. This protects foundations long-term.
Though eager to ditch maintenance headaches pools cause, resisting the urge to demolish overnight avoids cutting corners threatening structural stability long after project completion. Invest properly removing Atlanta pools completely and correctly so restored backyards thrive for generations.
