The current pandemic has changed how we work, go to school, socialize, and especially how our homes are being used. Our backyards are seeing more use than ever, and you may be looking out at yours, thinking about how to get the most out of it.
Don’t let your old swimming pool define the space. Often older pools dominate the space and do not leave room to entertain. You must wonder if it is the best use of space? Removing the pool opens a world of possibilities that can add value to your home and increase the usable space in your backyard. Do you want a large lawn area for the kids and dogs to run? Or how about a large patio with a firepit or outdoor bar or kitchen? Or all the above? Installing a spacious patio with different gathering areas and diverse spaces can enable you to entertain and social distance.
That’s not to say that installing or working with your current pool isn’t possible as well. Today’s swimming pools place emphasis on the spaces around it and how it relates to other features in the backyard. On average, the are slightly smaller and shallower than traditional pools. The key is to balance out the pool cost (which is typically the largest) with the costs for the surround spaces. The most value is added when everything is done to the same level.
MackLand’s landscape architects are here to help you design the backyard you are looking for. We are following the CDC’s best practices and public health guidance to keep our clients and staff safe. If you are in the Denver Metro area or the greater Chicagoland area, please contact us to discuss your options.
Looking for more usable space and to update their yard, our clients in Lake Geneva, WI called us to see about their pool removal options. The concrete pool deck covered from house to fence and did not provide for any green space in the yard.
The style of pool they had is one we see often – concrete pool bottom with steel sides. This style is also often seen with a vinyl liner. We broke up the pool bottom and removed the steel sides. The concrete pool deck was also broken up and used as structural fill.
We brought in clean fill material and compacted in layers. With this project, we brought them to rough grade instead of final with grass seed and erosion control blanket. Our clients are planning on installing a new, smaller patio and some garden 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.
After long deliberation, our client in Littleton, Colorado made the decision to remove the swimming pool in her backyard. While it held many memories, it was time for it to go.
This pool was a full fiberglass shell pool. We removed it entirely and then broke up the surrounding concrete walk. The concrete was broken down into small pieces and placed in the deep end as structural fill.
We brought in clean fill material and compacted as we went. For this project, we brought the area to rough final grade. A third party will be adding amendments to the soil and installing sod to finish it off.
If you’re in the greater Denver or Chicago areas please contact us to discuss your pool removal options.
Park Ridge, Illinois is a highly sought after housing market. Our client purchased this house with the intent to fix it up as a rental. Removing the old, unused pool in the backyard was a big part in getting the house ready.
We broke up the all concrete pool and hauled it all offsite. Park Ridge, IL does not allow any part of the pool to be buried onsite. We also removed the concrete walk around the pool.
As we do with all our pool removals, we brought in clean fill material and compacted in layers. After bringing in pulverized topsoil, spreading grass seed and installing erosion control blanket, we finished the job and left the future renters with an expansive back yard.
If you live in the greater Chicagoland or Denver Metro areas please do not hesitate to give us a call about swimming pool removal or any of the other services that we offer.
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.
Our client in Littleton, CO contacted us here at MackLand last year about possibly removing their pool. We understand that it is a big decision to cross the bridge to remove the pool in your backyard. Especially now with COVID impacting public pools and social gatherings. This year they were ready to see the pool go and increase their backyard space for the kids to play in.
The liner was already removed from the pool, so we started right in removing the pool steps and walls. The concrete bottom and walk around the pool were broken up into small pieces and used as structural fill in the deep end.
We brought in clean fill dirt and compacted it in layers. Our client opted for use to bring it to rough final grade for them to take over from there. Now they can expand their lawn area for the kids to play in.
If you live in the greater Denver Metro or Chicagoland areas please do not hesitate to give us a call about swimming pool removal or any of the other services that we offer
Our clients had recently purchased their new home. Unfortunately it came with a backyard pool they did not want. So they called us here at MackLand to have it removed.
This all concrete pool took up most of the back yard. We broke up the pool bottom and took down the pool walls. We also broke up the surrounding concrete walk and hauled that concrete offsite. There was an old timber retaining wall at the back edge of the pool that we removed as well.
We backfilled with clean material and compacted as we went. We finished with topsoil, seed and erosion control blanket. Our clients now have a large backyard for their child to explore.
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.
After much debate and the pool being used less and less, our clients in Batavia, Illinois decided it was time to remove their pool. It dominated the back yard and they were ready to see it go.
The pool had fiberglass sides and a concrete pool bottom. It was surrounded by a concrete patio as well. Per code, we broke up the pool bottom to allow for drainage and remove the pool walls entirely. We also broke up the concrete patio.
After back filling the pool, we graded out the back yard to be a more usable space. The overgrown yews were removed to open up the area. We finished with grass seed and erosion control blanket to bring the area back to lawn. Now their dog has plenty of space to run in.
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.
After enjoying their pool for many years, our clients were ready to see their pool go. The upkeep and maintenance were too much to handle for how little they had used the pool in the last few years. So they gave MackLand a call to find out about their pool removal options.
This pool is a very common pool type: vinyl liner, vermiculite bottom and fiberglass sides. The vermiculite bottom breaks up very easily and is left in place. The vinyl liner and fiberglass walls are removed and disposed of offsite.
After the walls and surrounding concrete patio were removed, we imported clean, compactable fill material. We compact in layers as we go to help prevent settling. After bringing in topsoil to fine grade, we spread grass seed and finished with straw blanket. Our clients now have a sizable backyard to entertain guests.
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.
Art in the garden is a great investment. It is often underestimated the value and character art adds to the landscape. Gardens and art go together like peanut butter and jelly.
After a pool removal we often get asked to replace the pool as a focal point. If you are looking for low maintenance and low energy consumption, consider adding a sculpture piece. Garden artwork from a well know artist is a better investment than a swimming pool from our perspective. A great example of art that can give you something unique that no one else has are these wind sculptures by Lyman Whitaker. This is an example kinetic art (art that depends on motion for its effects) by a well know artist whose work will hold its value.
Let MackLand, LLC help you find the signature piece for your landscape. Contact us to discuss your options.
