MackLand’s Pool Removal Process

Posted on September 11, 2020July 5, 2023 by Tyler Mack

OUR PROCESS

The process starts with two on staff landscape architects that work through all the various facets of your pool removal project such as: obtaining the permits, tree removals, irrigation conflicts, and can design build your future patio or landscape your entire back yard.

Our process goes above and beyond the typical village, city or county codes for pool removals. Most pool removal codes just require the bottom of the pool be perforated and the sides of the pool be removed 24” below grade, what we call a basic pool removal. MackLand, LLC has developed the low impact method to complete pool removals in a safe and timely minor while reducing impact to your property.

The one thing that is significant about our pool removal process is that we are processing all concrete associated with the pool into a structural fill material classified as PGE, 8” minus recycled fractured concrete gravel with fines. This material is often used for sub base under public roads. Because we process the concrete associated with the pool into fill material, also called our low impact method, it reduces heavy truck loads of concrete out and then heavy truck loads of fill back in reducing trauma to your property and public roads.

The right equipment and the right size equipment is extremely important. Mack prefers to use two rubber tracked backhoe excavators that have an operating weight of around 12,000 lbs to complete the pool demolition work. Using a backhoe is key to completing the project safely and quickly. A skid steer/Bobcat can easily get stuck in the deep end of the pool or get damaged while removing the pool side walls because the machine does not have the reach to keep a safe distance. Most under qualified contractors will use a skid steer and say they have done it before but they will be risking their safety, and may struggle and cause unnecessary damage to their machine. There are also a lot of other contractors, like excavation contractors, that will give you a great price but will come with a 26,000 lb machine with steel tracks and cause unnecessarily trauma to your property and not worry about it because it is not their job to restore your yard.

Having the right equipment and the having the right approach are key to the success of the project.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Settling is the most common question asked. To date MackLand, LLC has never had an issue with settling on a pool removal. Why? Because we fill in thin even layers and compact it evenly as we fill the pool in.

How long will it take?

Most in ground pool removals are completed in 3-7 days. Above ground pool removals are completed in one day.

Who gets the permits?

MackLand, LLC will obtain all permits and typically pay all permit fees as part of our services.

How do we get started?

MackLand, LLC will start the permit process with a signed contract and a copy of your plat of survey.

What is PGE?

PGE is a regional classification of coarse gravel. PGE is 6-8” minus recycled fractured concrete gravel with fines suitable for use as sub base for roads or for general structural fill. MackLand, LLC will process all concrete
associated with the pool into PGE and use it as fill material.

What is better sod or seed?

Seed is by far the best way to go. Grass grown from seed will develop a more drought tolerant root system and blend into your existing lawn better. Also with sod it very possible to get grubs and other pests from the sod farm.

When do you need the project deposit?

MackLand, LLC prefers to pick up the deposit check in person after the permits are approved. Mack will deliver the permits and pick up the deposit check at that time. The remaining balance is due on completion.

If you are interested in finding out more about your pool removal options, please call us and we will be happy to discuss your project with you.

Fox Lake, Illinois Pool Removal

Posted on April 6, 2020April 11, 2022 by Tyler Mack

Fiberglass Sides with Concrete Bottom Pool Removal

After putting a lot of work into the inside of the house, our clients were ready to tackle projects out in the yard. This unused pool in Fox Lake, Illinois needed to go. It had not been used in years and cattails were growing in the deep end.

This pool was a typical style we see in the Chicagoland area. Fiberglass walls with a concrete bottom. The fiberglass walls were removed and hauled offsite. The concrete was broken up into small pieces and used as structural fill in the deep end of the pool.

This pool was located in the side yard. This gave us great access and enabled us to drive trucks right up to the pool area and speed up the process of bringing in dirt. As always, we compacted as we went to help prevent any settling.

The client is planning to finish the area with sod later this spring and is excited to have even more usable yard space.

If you live in the greater Chicago or Denver areas please do not hesitate to give us a call about swimming pool removal or any of the other services that we offer. Also make sure to visit our experience page to see some of our previous pool removal work.

No one removes more pools than Mack Land.

Barrington, Illinois Pool Removal

Posted on March 31, 2020September 5, 2023 by Tyler Mack

Vinyl Liner Pool Removal

Our clients enjoyed having a pool in the backyard, however over time it became more than they wanted to deal with. The liner needed to be replaced and the steel pool walls were beginning to rust and fail. They had not used the pool in a few years and decided it was time for it to go.

This vinyl liner pool removal in Barrington was a pool style we have seen many times in the area. This pool consisted of a vinyl liner, steel sides and a vermiculite bottom. Not all liner pools have a concrete pool bottom, some are a form of vermiculite (like this one) that is very chalky and easy to break up.

We removed the steel side and concrete walk around the pool and disposed of both offsite. No material from the pool was buried. We then brought in clean back fill material, compacted in layers and brought the area to rough grade. The pool had been slightly raised so we graded out the area to give our client’s a level, usable backyard. We finished with grass seed and ersosion control blanket to blend the new lawn area into the existing lawn.

No one removes more pools than MackLand.

Pool Removals: We recommend removing the concrete.

Posted on February 7, 2020July 6, 2023 by Tyler Mack

Real Estate Pool Removals: Tip #1

This can be a topic that varies depending on who you ask and where you are located. The landscape architects at MackLand specialize in pool removals and always recommend removing the concrete, no matter if the code allows it to be left onsite. Ideally this is the right thing to do and adds the most value. However, site constants, access and budget sometimes make leaving the concrete the only feasible option.

Most towns do not see a lot of pools being removed and have not put a lot of thought in to their code. Some towns have no code at all. The most basic code we commonly see is to perforate the pool bottom and take the sides down 24” below grade. Well that’s OK if your seller is looking to do the bare minimum. What if the next homeowner wants to put a pool back in, or an addition?

Removing a pool in today’s market.

Benefits include:

Gain a larger backyard with more usable and marketable space for realtors to sell. Potentially lower property taxes.
Houses without pools appeal to a broader market.
Houses being sold “as-is” with a pool in disrepair will decrease the value of the home more than it will cost to remove it. Surrounding property values may be negatively affected as well.

When you are sitting at the closing table, a new buyer can take issue to the concrete being left onsite even if the code allows it and try to leverage a better price. This is more likely to occur in a buyers’ market. In a sellers’ market, people are more likely to overlook these concerns. In elite communities, we feel it always pays to remove the pool in its entirety.

As we stated earlier, removing the concrete is the most ideal thing to do but is not always feasible. If you decide to leave the concrete, the entire swimming pool should be thoroughly broken down into small pieces. An excavating contractor or a pool removal only contractor are concerned only about getting the job and want to get in and out as fast as possible They will want to do the bare minimum and they will not be concerned about minimizing the damage to the property because they are more than likely not going to have to restore it. These bids always seem cheaper.

If the client chooses not to haul everything off, MackLand thoroughly breaks up the entire pool into small pieces of concrete (see below). We go above and beyond to remove all plastics, metals, wood, and vegetation and recycle it off site. Also, we make sure the fill dirt is clean and suitable for compaction and from a local residential source. In addition, we typically use plywood/ground protection along the access route. Our specialized low ground pressure machinery also reduces our impact to the work area. We include a professional restoration and we always use the highest quality seed and turf. MackLand is so confident, we are providing pool removal closure reports and a lifetime warranty on our pool removals. The pool removal closure report is a great tool to have on hand during real estate deals – documentation of the process from start to finish.

Mack Land Low Impact Pool Removal - Concrete is processed onsite into structural fill. — Mack Land Low Impact Pool Removal – Concrete is processed onsite into structural fill.

Don’t pay to get the pool removed twice, get it done right the first time.

Not all contractors care about homeowners like MackLand does. We are committed to add value to your real estate. Why? We care about the buyer and the seller. We are not going to push anyone into something because it is easier for us. Whether it is a buyers’ or sellers’ market, it pays to do the job right the first time. Improperly removed swimming pools can be something that can be a nightmare at the closing table or haunts you down the road, even after the real estate transaction has been completed. Most states require you to disclose landfills. Buried concrete can be considered landfill material. No matter how you interpret the laws and codes, morally, you should feel obligated to disclose the buried pool removal to the next owner.

If you’re in the greater Chicago or Denver areas please contact us to discuss your pool removal options.

America’s #1 Source for Pool Removals

Chicagoland Pool Removals

Posted on September 25, 2019April 11, 2022 by Tyler Mack

Removing a swimming pool is quite a big undertaking and clients like to do their due diligence before selecting a contractor. While chatting with prospective clients, the following are common questions that are asked:

Do you have any examples of other Chiacgoland area pool removal jobs?

We have been in the pool removal business for many years. We have removed many pools in the Chicagoland area, and have many satisfied customers. Take a look at just a few of these here:

What methods do you use?

We have continually refined our processes in order to do the job as quickly and efficiently as possible. Long gone are the days of the wrecking ball. We are able to minimize collateral damage by using new and improved low impact techniques. Our main tool to achieve this is the compact excavator. We also make sure to do inspections long before we start to ensure that everything runs without a hitch. Additionally we are a complete turnkey solution company with Licensed Landscape Architects, allowing us to not only manage your pool removal but also to leave you with a beautifully landscaped yard afterwards.

How environmentally conscious are you?

Where possible all the concrete associated with the pool removal is completely demolished and processed into 8” fracture concrete gravel similar to PGE and used as fill in the resultant hole. Because we process the concrete associated with the pool into fill material, also called our low impact method, it reduces heavy truck loads of concrete out and then heavy truck loads of fill back in reducing trauma to your property and public roads.

We do not bury fiberglass or steel walls and haul all plastics offsite for disposal.

We also recycle all the pool heaters plus whatever other material is recyclable.

As you can see there is a lot to consider before choosing your Chicagoland pool removal contractor. Get the facts, make an informed decision and be happy with the outcome.

Still not sure? Contact us for a free consultation.