How Much Does it Cost to Fill in a Pool? (Not with Water...)

Question

Looking at property with a rather large and unsightly in ground pool. Seems the best options is to fill it in with dirt/rocks and concrete over top...anyone have experience with this?

Bill Gulley · Answer

Thanks Stan, yes, disconnect power from the breaker box and panel. Might divert that wiring for other uses too. Gas should be terminated at the line and capped, you may need a plumber by code to mess with gas lines.

Many pool companies will remove equipment and fill in pools.

You can certainly use concrete to fill, what you don't want are voids where dirt can settle in and wash into those voids that will cause the sinking at the grade level.

I agree with Stan about hauling with a wheel barrel, but that depends if you have teenage boys working out for the football team, cheap slave labor works, LOL.

Even if you have it done, supervise this job to ensure there aren't any large voids.

Another tip, boxwood shrubs will help hold the soil in place, what I used, check with your landscaper for shrubs that don't have extensive root systems. A tree can move the concrete or crack it, but that would be years away and may not have any issue at all by that time.

Might work in a burm area grading water away from the old pool area......just make it pretty. :)

Bill Gulley · Answer

Yes, but you need to break up the pool, you can't just fill it as it will still hold water, then you'll have hydrostatic pressure and then cracking and then settling.

Poor concrete in the drain and skimmers, tear out the hardware and boxes, you can leave the plumbing.

Jackhammer the bottom and sides, start at the deep end, start at the bottom, floor first and work up in small sections as the sides will fall in. Can be dangerous, steel toed boots, ask me how I know......

Don't fill with construction debris as it rots and settles, if you put debris in, spread it around where rock binds the fill with debris in the cracks so the rock won't settle.

As to fill, measure the length and width, average the depth, you'll find the cubic yards. I believe a dump truck has about 18 sq yds a load, you may need 6 loads and dirt with small rock is better than bolder sizes due to settling if there are gaps or pockets.

Top off with top soil and grade.

If I were going to concrete over it, I'd use a driveway mix and reinforce with wire, as it will settle and the future owner will likely find out what was done. If work isn't up to standard practice, you can be called back to do it over or pay to have it done right as with all construction and demo. :)

Stan Butler · Answer

This is just something that my general contractor is able to do.  He has done many of them over the past several years for other clients.  One additional thing that you may want to research is if this requires a permit for your area.  This is definitely something that you want to do correctly as Bill Gulley stated above.  He definitely knows what he is talking about.

Almost forgot, one more thing to consider is the removal of the actual pool equipment.  You may have to cap off or remove some gas lines or electrical wiring from the house to the equipment.  You cant just leave hot wiring buried in the ground.

Andy Collins · Answer

I would research your local ordinances, if it requires a permit, make sure they will let you fill it in.  I had a property I had under contract, the city was going to require me to remove every piece of concrete, not just punch holes and fill it in....(and the city had written up the property for a down fence, so they knew exactly what was going on.

I ended up not buying the property for other reasons, but it did double the bid for pool removal since they were having to dig up and haul off everything..now if a permit isn't required....

Andy Collins · Answer

I would research your local ordinances, if it requires a permit, make sure they will let you fill it in.  I had a property I had under contract, the city was going to require me to remove every piece of concrete, not just punch holes and fill it in....(and the city had written up the property for a down fence, so they knew exactly what was going on.

I ended up not buying the property for other reasons, but it did double the bid for pool removal since they were having to dig up and haul off everything..now if a permit isn't required....

Mark Bosworth · Answer

Perfect @Stan Butler.  I'm pretty certain I can just take down a fence and back a truck right up.  Just need to check if there are any trees in the way.  What kind of companies did you contact for the demolition?

Stan Butler · Answer

Hey @Mark Bosworth you can use the concrete decking to fill in the pool because it doesnt biodegrade over time, but it wont take up as much room as you think.  You are still going to need dump truck loads of dirt to fill it up.  In the several estimates that I have gotten, the only thing that varies is the labor cost.  If they can back the dump truck right up to the pool, thats the cheapest.  The next cheapest is if they can use a bobcat to move the dirt from the dump location to the pool.  The most expensive (by far) is if they have to wheelbarrow in the dirt from the dump location,  Hope this helps...

Mark Bosworth · Answer

Great thread!  I was looking at a property with the same issue.

Is the consensus that you can use your concrete deck to fill your pool and not haul much dirt in?

Brandon Sturgill · Answer

Thanks @Tim Bishop

Brandon Sturgill · Answer

Damn @Bill G. you just hurt my feelings on this one...This deal is beginning to slowly dissolve...

How Much Does it Cost to Fill in a Pool? (Not with Water...)

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