Is it possible to remove a swimming pool without damaging fruit trees nearby?

[Julie]

I just don't want a chlorine swimming pool anymore (it came with the house I live in).  I have many fruit trees planted close and all around the pool.  Would like to get rid of the pool but would it be possible to do without damaging all the nearby trees?  The other option is to convert it to a natural swimming pool but I don't know much about these.

[Galatians522]

In my opinion, that is going to depend entirely on the contractor who does the job and how much you want to pay them. As an alternative, you could punch drain holes in the bottom, fill it with soil, and consider it a very large growing container. That might even be a way to grow some things that typically struggle in your soil. The down side is that it might negatively affect your home value If you ever sell.

[Julie]

Ok thank you.  Unfortunately, the trees are so close to the pool patio, I feel like the contractor will come in with their huge bulldozer and kill all of them  :'(

[Galatians522]

Ok thank you.  Unfortunately, the trees are so close to the pool patio, I feel like the contractor will come in with their huge bulldozer and kill all of them  :'(

They could use a jack hammer and take it out piece by piece in wheel barrows (at least until they got far enough from the trees to bring in machinery). That would be the least damaging but probably the most expensive. Also, some machinery operators are amazingly skillful and might be able to do it without damaging too much. There is definitely a risk, though. My dad had to have some pond work done once and there was an 8' lychee tree in the path of the machine that they needed to bring in. He had the track hoe operator dig it up and transplant it to another spot. I told him it was too big and it wouldn't live. I was wrong, the tree survived and is loaded with fruit this year. Conversly, another tree died when a machine made some deep ruts that broke a bunch of roots and allowed disease to infect the tree's root system (probably Armilaria). On the bright side, you'll get more planting space with the pool gone.

[FlyingFoxFruits]

can't you fill it with soil and just use it like a giant planting pot?

[FlyingFoxFruits]

In my opinion, that is going to depend entirely on the contractor who does the job and how much you want to pay them. As an alternative, you could punch drain holes in the bottom, fill it with soil, and consider it a very large growing container. That might even be a way to grow some things that typically struggle in your soil. The down side is that it might negatively affect your home value If you ever sell.

best advice, i've seen them filled easily

[spaugh]

I would keep the pool.

[Julie]

There's a large concrete patio around the pool and that's what's close to the trees.  So if I filled it with soil I still would have the big patio around it, so it's still very noticeable, but that would be the cheapest option for sure.  It's very hard to bring in any type of big truck or machine to my yard.  I've had multiple incidents when I have mulch delivered, removed a shed to get more planting space, etc etc.  This sounds like a nightmare because my yard is a maze but I really want this pool gone, unless I can convert it to a natural swimming pool (though not sure that is realistic).  Hopefully I can find some of these highly skilled machine operators!

[RS]

Can the concrete patio be jackhammered out? The concrete pieces can potentially be recycled into attractive planters, e.g. 

I believe Green Dreams Florida did that project.

[Calusa]

I would keep the pool.

^^This^^

And convert it to a saltwater pool. No more chlorine and salinity about the same as a teardrop.

[Julie]

I would keep the pool.

^^This^^

And convert it to a saltwater pool. No more chlorine and salinity about the same as a teardrop.

What I was told is that a saltwater pool is just that there's a generator that turns the salt into chlorine.  It's almost the same as a regular pool with the chlorine dumped in.  If this wasn't true I'd be for it.

[Daintree]

Great opportunity to turn the pool into a sunken garden or a koi pond.

[Julie]

Does anyone know if I just drill/cut holes in the bottom of the pool and leave it like that, would that be enough to prevent it from lifting out of the ground?  My understanding is that you can't just empty & cover your pool or it will lift out of the ground because of the high water table?  I'm going to start calling contractors but I already feel like the full pool removal will be out of my budget right now (I'm guessing it costs like 25K-30K or something crazy like that).

My other option is to convert to a pond, does anyone have experience with having a pond or water garden here?  My pool does not have a screen enclosure.  Would it become a frog & other creature hotel?  With all the nature/predators here, not sure if this is the right option for me.  Plus, my pool pump is VERY loud and right next to my bedroom.  Running it all night would be very loud.  I can feel the vibration of it throughout the house when it runs.  Anyone have experiences with ponds in Florida or a tropical climate?

My other worry is that though Koi fish are SO cute, with their lifespan being 40+ years it's a huge commitment and the fish will probably outlive me..lol

[EddieF]

Julie, i can't imagine living down here without my pool
Just got out, laps every day & my bath after yard work on trees.
Do not empty pool this time of yr.  Pool will lift deck, patio, wreck your whole house.  Seen it on news.
Why does chlorine bother you?  Just wondering.

[spaugh]

What is the exact reason you want the pool gone? You are worried about the fruit trees getting chlorine water?

[Greater Good]

There's a large concrete patio around the pool and that's what's close to the trees.  So if I filled it with soil I still would have the big patio around it, so it's still very noticeable, but that would be the cheapest option for sure.  It's very hard to bring in any type of big truck or machine to my yard.  I've had multiple incidents when I have mulch delivered, removed a shed to get more planting space, etc etc.  This sounds like a nightmare because my yard is a maze but I really want this pool gone, unless I can convert it to a natural swimming pool (though not sure that is realistic).  Hopefully I can find some of these highly skilled machine operators!

Keep an eye out for someone installing a pool in your neighborhood. The pool contractor can bring the dirt from the new install. They can use their skid steer to break up the patio, and toss it in the  pool and bring in the extra soil. They are used to working in tight quarters.
It's what I did 7 years ago. No regrets. Julie, Zill 40-26,  Carrie and Venus now growing in the confines of the former pool.

[Julie]

What is the exact reason you want the pool gone? You are worried about the fruit trees getting chlorine water?

Unfortunately I went out to pay my pool guy over a month ago and there was a strong smell of chlorine and it burned my throat and lungs.  I'm still dealing with the same symptoms - cough, sharp sore throat, shortness of breath.  This happened once before like 7 years ago when the prior pool guy I had shocked the pool and I went outside (unknowing) but I did get better quickly then.  I don't want to live my life being afraid to go into my yard to enjoy my trees.  I like swimming and water so it's really the chemicals that are the problem for me.  We rarely use the pool even before this incident because my daughter comes out smelling like chlorine, etc.

[Julie]

There's a large concrete patio around the pool and that's what's close to the trees.  So if I filled it with soil I still would have the big patio around it, so it's still very noticeable, but that would be the cheapest option for sure.  It's very hard to bring in any type of big truck or machine to my yard.  I've had multiple incidents when I have mulch delivered, removed a shed to get more planting space, etc etc.  This sounds like a nightmare because my yard is a maze but I really want this pool gone, unless I can convert it to a natural swimming pool (though not sure that is realistic).  Hopefully I can find some of these highly skilled machine operators!

Keep an eye out for someone installing a pool in your neighborhood. The contractor can bring the dirt from the new install. They can use their skid steer to break up the patio, and toss it in the  pool and bring in the extra soil. They are used to working in tight quarters.
It's what I did 7 years ago. No regrets. Julie, Zill 40-26,  Carrie and Venus now growing in the confines of the former pool.

Thank you.  Life's too short to live with a pool you don't want.  Did you decide to do the partial removal just for $ and convenience?  Or were there other reasons?  I know there are two options, full pool removal or partial pool removal.

[EddieF]

Julie, key to not shocking is never letting chlorine get low.  Algae starts 1 days without chlor.  Don't ask how i know lol.
I use inline chlorinator Hayward CL200.  The pvc pipe that comes out filter (return) gets cut & the CL200 goes inline.
I put 7 valuechlor or whatever brand tablets are onsale (prices for chlor doubled) in it and lasts almost a month.
Not trouble free, o-ring wears often but i could never deal with liquid chlor.  Adjust with dial & runtime.
Salt pool i say you'd never have problem either, set the box to desired chlor level & that's it. 
One cost 2 grand, other cost 100.  If you got the money, go with salt.  I hear people love it.

If overflow is problem, have it extended away from stuff.  Cheap pvc.

[Julie]

Julie, key to not shocking is never letting chlorine get low.  Algae starts 1 days without chlor.  Don't ask how i know lol.
I use inline chlorinator Hayward CL200.  The pvc pipe that comes out filter (return) gets cut & the CL200 goes inline.
I put 7 valuechlor or whatever brand tablets are onsale (prices for chlor doubled) in it and lasts almost a month.
Not trouble free, o-ring wears often but i could never deal with liquid chlor.  Adjust with dial & runtime.
Salt pool i say you'd never have problem either, set the box to desired chlor level & that's it. 
One cost 2 grand, other cost 100.  If you got the money, go with salt.  I hear people love it.

If overflow is problem, have it extended away from stuff.  Cheap pvc.

I use a pool guy and they only come 1x a week so I know they are just dumping large amounts of chlorine in.  I'm glad you don't have problems.  I'm considering salt but I'm worried that the pool guy will still put in more chemicals.

[seng]

Buy the cover and turn it to greenhouse.

[Julie]

Buy the cover and turn it to greenhouse.

The problem is that if you live in florida, you can never remove water from your pool, or it will rise out of the water because of the high water table.  I don't know how to prevent this but this is what I've heard.

[Greater Good]

Julie, key to not shocking is never letting chlorine get low.  Algae starts 1 days without chlor.  Don't ask how i know lol.
I use inline chlorinator Hayward CL200.  The pvc pipe that comes out filter (return) gets cut & the CL200 goes inline.
I put 7 valuechlor or whatever brand tablets are onsale (prices for chlor doubled) in it and lasts almost a month.
Not trouble free, o-ring wears often but i could never deal with liquid chlor.  Adjust with dial & runtime.
Salt pool i say you'd never have problem either, set the box to desired chlor level & that's it. 
One cost 2 grand, other cost 100.  If you got the money, go with salt.  I hear people love it.

If overflow is problem, have it extended away from stuff.  Cheap pvc.

I use a pool guy and they only come 1x a week so I know they are just dumping large amounts of chlorine in.  I'm glad you don't have problems.  I'm considering salt but I'm worried that the pool guy will still put in more chemicals.

They gotta do it during our heavy rains.

I hated that pool since I bought the house. A hole 🕳 in your backyard you pour money into.

[gnappi]

Yup pools popping up from the high water table are a very real concern if yo cannot begin demolition as soon as the pool in empty. Their inability to drain fully when filled with dirt is real also.

I think your choices are remove it or leave it there.

[EddieF]

Julie, liquid isn't for once per week.  It vanishes in a day or 2.  No wonder.  No too swift.
If you want easy, call a pool store and get quote for a CL200 installed.  They'll know what it is.  Price will depend on plumbing.
If your filter is plumbed with room to spare, it's a 1/2 hr job.  Edit- 1hr more like it.
I've maintained my pool for 20yrs.  Never shocked it to where it smells.  Trust me on this.  I've been around pools 40yrs.

If you're going to drain & fill with dirt, wait till Jan or Feb.  I'd have entire bottom jackhammered out, leave everything else, fill with florida soil & you'll have awesome screened in mango trees.  No animals