To take down an above-ground pool, drain it the way your city allows, then pull the liner, frame and any deck. Draining has real rules, and they differ from Allen to Frisco to Plano. Cowboy Site Services removes above-ground pools only, quoted per job, and we don't remove in-ground pools.
What does taking down an above-ground pool involve?
An above-ground pool looks simple until it's time for it to go. Under the water sits a vinyl liner, a ring of steel or resin wall panels, top rails, uprights and a bottom track. Many also have a pump, a filter, a ladder and sometimes a wood deck built around the edge.
The job breaks into five parts. You get the water out, pull the liner, take the frame apart, deal with the deck and fix the ground. The first part has rules attached, and the last part takes the most patience.
One thing up front: this guide covers above-ground pools only. We don't remove in-ground pools of any kind. That's a different job that needs heavy equipment and a different contractor, as our guide to light vs. structural demolition explains.
Where can the pool water go?
This is the step to check before you start a pump. Storm drains in most cities run straight to creeks, not to a treatment plant. Pool water full of chlorine or salt can cause real trouble there, so several cities spell out what's allowed.
- Allen: the City of Allen's stormwater page lists chlorinated backwash and pool draining as common examples of illicit discharge to the storm sewer. It says anything entering the storm sewer that isn't 100% storm water is prohibited. Allen's storm drains are separate from the sanitary sewer, so that water flows straight into local creeks.
- Frisco: the city's How You Can Help page allows storm drain discharge after 2–3 days of sun with no added chlorine, or after de-chlorination. A hose to an indoor drain that feeds the sanitary sewer is also a proper method. Saltwater pools should go to the sanitary sewer.
- Plano: Plano's swimming pool code directs private pool water into a sanitary sewer or separation tank, through a drain no larger than 3 inches. It also says pool water may never be pumped onto public property such as alleys or streets.
- Celina: Celina's stormwater page says pool and spa water should de-chlorinate for at least three days before going into the storm drain system. It also notes storm drain water reaches local water bodies untreated.
- Melissa: Melissa's storm drain ordinance lists dechlorinated pool discharges that meet Texas surface water standards as an affirmative defense to its storm drain ban.
What if your city isn't on that list?
McKinney, Prosper, Anna and the rest of the area have their own stormwater rules. We don't have a confirmed source for each of them, so we won't guess. Check your city's stormwater or public works page, or call before you drain.
Some habits hold up almost everywhere. Stop adding chlorine several days ahead, keep the water on your own property, and don't send it down the street or the alley. A sump pump or a long hose siphon does most of the work.
The water has to be out before a crew arrives. Our removal service doesn't drain pools, so plan a day or two for this step.
How do the liner, walls and frame come apart?
Once the pool is empty, unhook the pump, filter and hoses. If the pump is hardwired instead of plugged in, have an electrician disconnect it first. Then pull off the top rails and caps that hold the liner in place.
- Liner: cut it into strips you can roll or fold. A wet liner is heavy and slick, so let it dry a few hours if you can.
- Top rails and uprights: unbolt them in order around the ring. Old bolts rust, so penetrating oil saves a lot of fighting.
- Wall panels: a steel wall is one long sheet with sharp edges. Unroll it slowly with a helper and cut it into lengths you can carry.
- Bottom track and plates: these sit in the sand or base layer. Pull them last, after the wall is down.
- Ladder, steps and equipment: these come off first and ride out with everything else.
What about the deck around the pool?
A lot of above-ground pools have a wood deck built around them. That deck is its own small teardown: rails, boards, joists, then posts. If you're taking the pool out, the deck usually goes too, since it was built to fit that one ring.
Check whether the deck posts are set in concrete. Pulling a few posts is one thing. Breaking out footings is equipment work, and that's outside light demolition.
If the deck is staying and only the pool is going, say so before anyone starts cutting. For a deck on its own, see our deck tear-out service.
What happens to the ground after?
Expect a big circle of flattened, bare dirt with a ring of sand or base material. The grass under it is gone, and the ground may have settled unevenly. Low spots can hold water after the next storm.
Rake out the sand first, then fill and level the low spots with topsoil. After that, you can seed, lay sod or put the space to some other use. If you plan a patio or playset there, let the ground settle before you build.
We pick up every piece and leave the spot clean. Regrading, leveling and filling the yard aren't part of our work. That's a job for you or a landscaper.
Does removing an above-ground pool need a permit?
Some cities name pools on their demolition permit lists. Wylie's permit list requires a permit to demolish an existing building, structure or pool. Murphy's permit page requires one for demolition of buildings and swimming pools.
Those pages don't say whether a pool that sits on top of the ground counts. Call your city's building department and ask before demo day. Where a city requires a permit, it's usually pulled by the general contractor or the homeowner.
If one is needed and nobody else is pulling it, we can usually pull it ourselves for an added fee that varies by city. Our demolition permit guide covers more city rules.
What about the leftover pool chemicals?
Most pool owners have half-used buckets of chlorine and acid in the garage. TCEQ's household hazardous waste page lists pool chlorine and acid among household hazardous waste. Chemicals are on our list of things we can't take.
Keep them in their original containers with the labels readable. Our household hazardous waste guide covers where they can go in Collin County.
Should you do it yourself or hire it out?
A small soft-sided pool is a fair DIY job. Drain it, fold it up, and most of it fits in a truck bed. A steel-walled pool with a deck is a different weekend, with sharp metal, heavy wet liner and a big pile of lumber.
- DIY makes sense when the pool is small, you have a truck, and you know where the pieces can go.
- Hiring it out makes sense when there's a steel wall, a deck, a tight side gate or no way to haul it.
- Either way, the draining is on you, and it follows your city's rules.
When is it time to call a hauler?
Our above-ground pool removal service takes the pool down, loads the liner, walls, rails and deck, and hauls it all off in one trip. It's quoted per job from your photos, and the price is firm before anything comes down. Send photos of the whole pool, any deck and the path to the driveway.
Clearing the whole backyard at once? A hot tub, trampoline or playset can go on the same visit through our backyard hot tub and trampoline removal.