Pros And Cons Of Filling In A Pool – Benefits & Problems

Is it worth filling in a pool? Here are the pros and cons of this procedure.

Do you have a pool you wish to get rid of? One of the most popular options apart from demolition is to have it filled up. While this is often considered by property owners, it has its own upsides and downsides.

It will do well to understand what these are, hence this timely article.

Backfill Material

To make progress, it will be necessary to consider the backfill material used for this task. Filling a pool can be done with gravel, sand, or dirt. The materials used depend on the results you seek.

For the best results, contractors use pea stone and class 2 fill sand.

Pea stone and class 2 fill sand have a self-compacting feature and require less labor compared to the others. While sand can be used as a backfilling material for pools, settling could result.

Such sand will need to be mixed with concrete to prevent settling from occurring.

Even then, added pressure may build up against pool walls. With gravel, you get the benefit of instant compaction. There’s also an added advantage of good drainage.

Dirt as a backfill material though cheap is quite unstable. In other words, it easily settles.

Filling a Pool: The Pros and Cons

For property owners seeking to adopt this cost-effective method of getting rid of a pool, there’s a need to know what it entails. That is, the pros and cons involved.

This section takes a detailed look at each of these to inform the reader.

Pros Of Filling A Pool

Some of the benefits derived from filing a pool are easy to figure out.

These include saving on removal cost, eliminating safety concerns & risks as well as putting an end to maintenance costs.

What more? Your property value increases while also adding more usable space to your yard. You’ll end up lowering your insurance premiums with a filled pool.

Let’s take a look at each of these points as follows;

• Saving on Removal Cost

It’s no secret that pool demolition or removal tends to cost more than filling. Asides from tearing down the pool, debris will need to be hauled off and the space covered with suitable material.

Having a pool filled is much more cost-effective.

Here, there’s no need to demo a pool and remove debris. Plus, maintenance costs associated with pool maintenance are eliminated. You won’t need to commit additional resources to keep an old pool functional.

• Eliminating Safety Concerns & Risks

A pool can be considered a safety hazard, especially by insurance companies. This is understandable because kids may be exposed to the possibility of falling into a pool among other hazards.

Having it filled eliminates such risk. You won’t have to worry about your kid’s safety.

With a safer yard, your kids get to roam freely, thus giving you an added layer of confidence. This is what any homeowner will want.

• Putting an End to Maintenance Costs

Without a doubt, keeping a pool functional comes with lots of financial responsibilities. In other words, there are lots of expenses involved as a pool will have to be kept functional or usable.

Removing such a pool by filling puts an end to such costs.

You’re able to commit or channel your resources to other areas or simply save up on maintenance costs. For this to be possible, you’ll need to have your pool filling job handled by a professional.

• Increase in Property Value

One of the most noticeable benefits derived from filing a pool is the impact it has on your property.

Here, we’re talking about appreciating its value. The value of your property appreciates when an old pool is removed by having it filled up.

However, the new occupant or buyer needs to be aware of this partial removal action.

In most cases, a property value is likely to increase as it adds more space and eliminates risks or hazards. However, perception is everything.

Not every potential buyer will consider this partial pool removal action worth the price of the property.

• Adding Usable Space to your Yard

Added yard space will be considered valuable by most property owners. It means a lawn can be grown over such an area or a new development (structural) could be considered.

This closely relates to an increase in property value.

• Lower Insurance Premiums

For an insurance company, the addition or presence of a pool within a property is added risk. This increases insurance premiums. However, the opposite is true for one without a pool.

So, with a filled-in pool, expect the insurance premiums on your home to go down.

In terms of how much is saved, you’ll have to consider the initial amount charged for pool risk. Discussing with an expert is a great way to find out your savings on your home’s lowered insurance premiums.

Cons Of Filling A Pool

With every advantage comes a disadvantage.

As such, it’s only logical that we take a look at the disadvantage(s) of filling a pool. First off, there’s the possibility of an improper fill-in job. Secondly, pool filling isn’t a cheap procedure. It could lower a property’s value.

What more? There may be restrictions to what can be done with the new space created after a pool filling job.

• Improper Pool Fill-In

When a professional isn’t consulted or hired for a pool fill-in job, the chances of getting the job done properly is lowered. This is most common with DIY pool filling approaches.

Sinking or settling of soil over the pool surface usually results.

• The Procedure can be Costly

Depending on where you live, filling a pool can be a costly procedure.

This is most common in areas with high costs of living. You may want to research the price range within your location to enable you to choose the best service provider.

• Lowering a Property’s Value

While pool removal can increase a property’s value, it can also decrease it. A shoddy job is likely to cost more to fix. As such, pool removal will require the expertise of a contractor.

• Restrictions on Space Utilization

Different cities have different restrictions on what the area above a filled pool can be used for. This is mostly influenced by safety reasons and the stability of the soil.

Therefore, you may be faced with certain restrictions on how to use the space created.

These are the pros and cons involved with pool filling. Using the information provided, you get to decide if the procedure is worth it or not. Also, consider speaking with an expert.