Swimming pool removal in Illinois means draining the pool, disconnecting power and plumbing, breaking out or pulling the shell, filling the hole with compacted fill and grading the yard. The big choice is between partial removal, where the lower shell stays buried, and full removal, where everything comes out.
Why people remove a pool
A pool nobody swims in still costs money. It needs chemicals, power and upkeep, and an old one can crack, leak or become a safety worry. Some owners want the yard back for grass or a garden. Others are getting a house ready to sell.
Whatever the reason, the goal is the same: a flat, firm yard where the pool used to be, with no sinking later. Getting there depends on what kind of pool you have, what is around it and how the hole is filled. That is what the rest of this guide covers, so you know what to ask for before anyone starts.
Above-ground and inground pools
An above-ground pool is the simpler job. The water is drained, the walls and liner come apart, and the frame is hauled away. What is left is usually a level patch of sand or dirt that needs grading and seed.
Inground pools take more. Vinyl liner pools have walls of steel, aluminum or polymer, with a sand or concrete floor. Fiberglass pools are a single shell. Concrete pools are the heaviest, with thick walls and a thick floor. Most inground pools also have a concrete deck, coping and sometimes a patio around them. All of that concrete has to be broken out and hauled, and it can be a big part of the work.
Partial removal or full removal
With partial removal, the top part of the walls is broken out and the floor is cracked or punched with holes so water can drain through. The rubble may stay in the hole, and the rest is filled with dirt. It is the quicker option.
With full removal, the whole shell and floor come out and leave a clean hole that is filled from the bottom. It takes longer and makes more loads, but nothing is left buried. That matters if you may build on the spot later, and it can matter when the house is sold. Ask your building department which method it allows, and keep the paperwork for when you sell.
Before the machines arrive
The pool has to be drained first. Ask your town where pool water can go, because some places do not want treated water in the storm drain. A pool company can usually handle the draining and the equipment.
Power to the pump, lights and heater must be disconnected by an electrician. Gas lines to a heater need the same care. Many Illinois towns want a permit, and sometimes an inspection, for pool removal, so ask your city or county building department before the work is scheduled. Buried lines across the yard get marked through JULIE before any digging starts.
Filling the hole so it does not sink
This is the step that decides whether the yard stays flat. A pool hole is deep, and loose dirt dumped in it will settle for years. The fill should go in layers and be packed as it goes, with clean fill lower down and topsoil on top if you want grass.
Ask anyone quoting the job what fill they will use, how it will be packed and how much topsoil goes on the surface. The fill dirt vs topsoil guide explains the difference. A lot of material goes into a pool hole, so it arrives by the truckload.
Where 3D Excavating fits in
On a pool job, the parts we take on are the ones described on our service pages. Concrete decks, patios and coping are broken out and hauled off through our demolition and debris removal work. Fill and topsoil come in on our trucks through hauling and material delivery.
Once the hole is filled, the yard is shaped so water drains away from the house. Send Jon photos of the pool, the deck around it and the way into the backyard. He will talk through what your job needs and give you a free quote for his part of it.
The Short Version
- Pool removal means draining, disconnecting, breaking out, filling and grading.
- Partial removal is quicker; full removal leaves nothing buried.
- Ask your town or county building department about permits and which method it allows.
- Fill placed in packed layers is what keeps the yard from sinking.
- The concrete deck around an inground pool is often a big part of the work.
Quick Answers
How much does it cost to remove an inground pool in Illinois?
It depends on the pool type, the size, how much concrete surrounds it, partial or full removal, backyard access and how much fill is needed. Ask for each part to be spelled out so you can compare quotes fairly.
Is it better to fill in a pool or remove it completely?
Partial removal is quicker. Full removal takes longer but leaves nothing buried, which helps if you may build there later or sell the house. Your building department may also have a preference.
Do I need a permit to remove a pool in Illinois?
Many towns require one, and some want an inspection of the fill. Ask your city or county building department before the work is scheduled.
What do you fill a swimming pool hole with?
Clean fill dirt or rock placed in layers and packed, with topsoil on top where grass will grow. Loose dirt dumped in all at once tends to settle.
See our demolition & debris removal service or call (217) 710-0606.