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We were on ABC 7 News today talking about swimming pool removal

Posted by Ryan Crownholm on Tue, Jan 28, 2014 @ 9:38 PM
As this drought becomes more and more of a reality in the Bay Area some people are taking leaking swimming pools into account in their water conservation decisions.  More and more of our customers are saying this is one of the main reasons they are removing their swimming pools. David Louis discusses some of the water concerns with my customer and I at one of our jobsites in Palo Alto.

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What Equipment is Best for a Safe and Effective Swimming Pool Demolition?

Posted by Ryan Crownholm on Wed, Jun 26, 2013 @ 5:16 PM

OK, so you know that we remove LOTS of swimming pools by now. But do you know how we do it? With our many years of experience we have acquired a fleet of equipment that is designed with your swimming pool demolition in mind.

The Breaking:
breakerSwimming pools that are made out of concrete or gunnite are often 12" thick and reinforced with rebar. In order to safely and efficiently break this concrete we use and excavator with a Jack Hammer (breaker) attachment. An excavator is ideal because you can
place it in a stationary position and then spin the turret around as you work which places the operator at least 10 feet away from breaking. Some people will try to use a Skid Steer (Bobcat) with a breaker attachment. A warning to do it yourselfers and
inexperienced contractors
. This is very dangerous for the operator because the skid steer is not designed to work with a load over head while moving the machine and can cause it to tip over. Also, because the operator is working directly under the work he is in
danger of being hit by falling concrete or rebar. We do not advise using a skid steer for the demolition portion of the project.

Moving the concrete out and the dirt in:dirt
This is where the skid steer comes in. In order to safely move the concrete out of the swimming we send in a bobcat with a grapple attachment to "grab" the material and transport it to the trucks. In order to move the soil into the swimming pool cavity we use the
same skid steer but we switch the bucket out to a smooth bucket which allows us to evenly spread the material. Evenly spreading the material is very important because the compactor needs a perfectly level surface in order to achieve uniformity. This machine
also allows us to set the final grade to the customer specifications

The trucks:
trucksBecause our soils come from our own sources rather than unknown excavations delivered by other contractors we need a fleet of trucks to handle very large volumes. Our fleet consists of 10 wheel dump trucks and transfers. A transfer is like a 10 wheeler but has
a trailer that carries a second load of soil or up to 22 yards of soil. The average swimming pool requires 130 cubic yards of soil to fill and compact. With our fleet we can easily transport the needed soil in 1-2 days.

Compaction:compact
In order to compact soil to 90-95% density it is best to use what is called a padded drum roller or "sheep foot" roller. The machine has a large vibrating drum with "knobs" covering the drum. The purpose of these "knobs" are to essentially knead the soil much like
you would with bread dough to bind the dirt. In rare occasions where we do not have access we use what is called a plate compactor. The plate compactor can be used in much smaller lifts and still be effective to achieve proper density but can take much more
time and requires a great deal of experience.

describe the imageOther misc tools of the pros:
Grinder or cut-off saw to cut the rebar
Transit or Level to set your finish grade
Geotextile filter fabric to prevent soils migration
Storm water run-off protection such as silt sifting bags for EPA compliance
Pressure washer to clean up your property when we are all done.
describe the image
When it comes to a task as specialized as swimming pool removal it is important to use the proper equipment. The companies that truly "specialize" in swimming pool removal know how important each piece of equipment is to operations. Not only do these
pieces of equipment allow for a safe and proper job but also speed the job along so that we can give your yard back as soon as possible. Most of our projects are completed in 3-5 days.

Take a look here at our process in action!

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Removing Your Pool Is Good for the Environment

Posted by Ryan Crownholm on Mon, Mar 19, 2012 @ 4:30 PM

If you’re an environmentally-minded person who’s been debating the removal of your pool, consider this: owning a pool impacts the environment in many negative ways. Some of these ways are probably pretty obvious if you think about them for a second, but other you may not have even considered.
water conserve
Excessive water use. How many areas around the country are either in the middle of a water shortage now or have experienced one in the last few years? Quite a few. With more than 7 million private swimming pools in the U.S., they put a major dent in water conservation. In a place like Arizona, a typical pool can lose up to 6 feet of water each year just from evaporation! Think about all the water it takes to refill that pool and then multiply your numbers to account for the whole country.

Chlorine and other dangerous chemicals. Pools need to be kept clean, but many of the chemicals we use to maintain their cleanliness kill important bacteria and can even harm tiny organisms in the soil near the pool. And unfortunately, water isn’t the only thing evaporating from your pool. These chemicals also get released into the air when the heat evaporates them, annotoxicchemicalsd this contributes to greenhouse gas production. It’s even been found that when chlorine is released into the environment, it can cause deformities in living creatures and reproductive damage.

Energy for heating. If you’ve thought of this one, it’s probably because of all that extra money it costs you to keep a pool heated, but it’s also wasteful at a time when large parts of the country are struggling to cover our basic energy needs. Heating 7 million pools puts a lot of pressure on the system, when that energy might be better used elsewhere.

Erosion. This is one very few people even know about, but swimming pools can cause the land to erode. Why? Because they’re so heavy. In fact, some areas close to coastlines have banned people from installing any more private pools because all of that extra weight has caused the land to sink and water levels to rise. It seems insane to think about, but your pool could actually be causing the coastline to erode at a faster rate.

People have comSwimming Pool Removal Estimatee up with “solutions” for some of these problems, but there’s nothing that solves everything. Using different, safer chemicals to clean their pool, for example, can help. As can heating the pool with solar covers. But those things don’t offset the damage that can be done by pools, and some “fixes” just cause other problems. For example, saltwater pools have become more popular in recent years as an environmentally-safe alternative to traditional pools, but many people don’t realize that backwash from pools that are treated with salt water pool generators can actually kill their plants and sterilize the soil, which will stop future plants from growing.

The best way to protect the environment – and your wallet – is to have your old pool removed altogether. After the one-time cost of removal, you’ll get your yard back, regain financial freedom, and be able to relax knowing that you’ve done your part to help make your neighborhood cleaner and safer.

 

If you have any questions regarding the swimming pool removal process.

Feel free to contact me.

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How to Tell If It's Time to Remove Your Pool

Posted by Ryan Crownholm on Mon, Mar 12, 2012 @ 8:00 PM

Did you know that keeping and maintaining a pool might be costing you $2,000 to $3,000 a year for an average-size model? Thousands of dollars a year for the rest of your life that might be better spent on traveling, remodeling, or kids’ college expenses. And that’s not even counting any repairs that you’ve had to do over the years.

You’ve been thinking about getting your pool removed, but how do you know if it’s really time? While there’s no one-size-fits-all definitive reason to get rid of an old pool, lots of factors can affect your decision.

The kids are gone. Maybe you bought your pool when your children were little and it seemed worth the investment rather than joining a swimming club or going to the water park all the time, but now they’ve grown up. What’s the point of keeping an expensive pool when you and your spouse barely use it, and the kids only visit once in a while?

You want to sell. If you’re thinking about selling your home, you might be surprised to learn that having an expensive pool to maintain may actually hurting the value rather than helping it. Especially if the pool is older and hasn’t been maintained in pristine condition. Consult with your realtor to see if they believe they can get you a better offer if the pool is removed.

You have to repair it. Normal maintenance isn’t the only expense involved in keeping a pool. If you ever have to pay for repairs, you might find yourself out thousands. In fact, many people discover that it’s actually less expensive to simply remove the pool than to fix something they’re not getting a lot of us out of.

You want your yard back. Having a pool always seems like a great idea at the time, but after the novelty wears off, many people discover that they simply have an expensive hole in the ground taking up their yard. It’s only usable a few months out of the year, so the rest of the time the pool is just a reminder of the nice yard they used to have.

You want to buy. Not everyone wants a pool, but if you truly love a house with one already built in, that doesn’t mean that you have to give up on it. The cost of pool removal is something that will even out within 2 to 3 years when you consider how much it takes to maintain a pool. Some buyers even negotiate the price down to cover the cost of pool removal.

You want to free up money for your future. The cost of pool removal isn’t insignificant, but it’s a one-time expense and then it’s done. Keeping a pool is like a car payment that never ends. Without a pool to pay for, all that money can go towards allowing you to live the life you want.

Whatever the reason, every year thousands of people come to the decision that keeping and maintaining their pool just isn’t worth it, but they don’t know how to get rid of it. A professional pool removal service can help by making the endeavor fast and easy. All you have to do is sit back and watch while everything is handled – from the demolition, to the backfill, and through the final grade. In as little as a week, you can have your yard back the way you want it and stop worrying about the continuing costs of keeping a pool.

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Kids Are Gone? Maybe the Pool Should Be, Too

Posted by Ryan Crownholm on Thu, Jul 28, 2011 @ 6:17 PM


When you first bought your home, your pool might have been an attractive feature. You wanted the ability to teach your kids how to swim at home, throw pool parties for their birthdays, and keep them active during the summer. Those memories made the investment worthwhile.

But after your kids have moved out to go to college or start their careers, it might be time to consider whether or not you want to keep that pool.  How often do you and your spouse go for a dip? Is the hassle of maintenance worth it? Where else can you spend all the money you’re now “sinking” into your pool? What about all that space it’s taking up in your backyard?

You may not have considered pool removal, but for many, it’s the right option. As you’ve regained your freedom, you may be looking for funds to go on that vacation you’ve been putting off or take up a new hobby. If you don’t use your pool often, visiting a community pool every now and then is much cheaper than spending $200 on maintenance, not to mention the added electricity and water costs.

Many people assume that they should keep their pool to maintain their home value, but the truth is that, as a pool ages, it can negatively affect the value of your home. And in neighborhoods where pools aren’t the norm, it can make selling your home harder. To find out how pool removal affects the value of your home, get a professional opinion from a real estate agent.

And consider how you could use the extra space in your backyard. Thinking about getting a dog to fill the empty nest? He’ll appreciate the room to run around. Or you could start that vegetable garden you’ve always dreamed of having. The possibilities are endless!

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8 Ways to Spend the Money You’ll Save WhenYour Pool’s Removed

Posted by Ryan Crownholm on Mon, Jul 25, 2011 @ 4:55 PM

Getting rid of that pool you rarely use? You may not realize just how much money you’ll be saving in the long run. With maintenance fees at around $200 a month, you’ll have an extra $2,400 every year to do with as you please! Here are just a few of the ways you could use that money.

  1. Work on your swing. Why not join a country club? After the one-time initiation costs, it’s likely your monthly fee will be less than your old pool maintenance charge. Perhaps you could invest your extra dough in a few drinks at the bar.

  2. Discover Hawaii. Start an annual tradition of a week-long trip to the Aloha state. Packages for your hotel and flight will run you between $800 and $2000, so you may even be able to bring along a friend. Visit the volcanoes, go hula dancing, enjoy a luau, catch a wave, or just relax by the ocean.  Why not visit a different island every year?

  3. Plan a monthly spa day. Relieve your stress from the work week, or get a break from those screaming kids. A nice massage or body wrap will help you feel your best, and why not try a facial, so you look your best, too? With a budget of $200 a month, you can go to town!

  4. Learn to fly a plane. While costs vary depending on your region, flight school costs between $3,000 and $4,000 to complete, so throw that money you’re saving in an account and, in less than two years time, you’ll be ready to get in the cockpit, enjoying life among the clouds.

  5. Go on a second honeymoon. Didn’t have the budget to do what you wanted the first time? Now you do! Visit the Venice canals in Italy. Take a safari in Africa. Enjoy fine French dining in Paris. The world’s your oyster!

  6. See the Super Bowl live. In 2010, tickets for the big game went for anywhere from $1,350 to $315,401. Sure, you’ll be on the lower end of the range, but you’ll still get to see the action in person.

  7. Buy a home entertainment system.  How great would a 60” screen look in your living room? What about a surround sound system to go along with it?  Get the experience of the movie theater right in your own home.

  8. Learn to play the guitar. Who doesn’t secretly want to be a rock start? Now’s your chance. For a few hundred dollars, you can invest in a nice Martin or Fender, and then spend the rest of the money on lessons from a professional.

Okay, you might just save the extra cash in an emergency fund, pay down credit card debt, or invest it for your child’s college education, but now you have a sense of just how much money you are throwing away on a pool you rarely use.  Let us help you take the leap!

 

 


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