The Pool Nobody Uses Anymore
It made sense when you bought it. The kids were young, summers were hot, and a 15-foot Intex pool seemed cheaper than a membership to the community pool. Fast forward five years: the liner is cracked, the filter hasn't run since last August, and the "pool" is actually a 3,000-gallon mosquito breeding ground taking up half your backyard.
Getting rid of an above-ground pool is one of those jobs that looks simple from the outside and turns into a full weekend project once you start. The water alone in a 15-foot round pool weighs about 12,000 pounds. You can't just tip it over.
Step-by-Step: How Pool Removal Works
1. Drain the Water
This takes longer than you expect. A garden hose siphon drains about 500 gallons per hour. A submersible pump does 1,500 to 3,000 gallons per hour. For a standard 15-foot round pool holding roughly 5,000 gallons, you're looking at 2 to 10 hours depending on your method.
Where does the water go? In Oregon, you can drain pool water onto your own lawn if it hasn't been chemically treated in the last 7 to 10 days. If it's heavily chlorinated, you need to let it sit uncovered for a few days to let the chlorine dissipate, or direct it to a sanitary sewer drain (NOT a storm drain). Oregon DEQ has specific rules about discharging pool water -- check their guidelines for your county.
2. Disassemble the Structure
Most above-ground pools are steel or resin frames with a vinyl liner. Disassembly involves:
- Removing the top rail and uprights (usually bolted together)
- Pulling out the liner (heavy when wet -- a 15-foot liner can weigh 80 to 120 pounds)
- Collapsing the wall panels
- Disconnecting the pump, filter, and hoses
- Removing the ground pad or sand base
The steel frame is recyclable. The liner is not -- vinyl liners go to the landfill. The sand base (usually 2 to 4 tons for a 15-foot pool) can stay in place and be leveled for new landscaping, or it needs to be hauled away.
3. Haul It Away
A disassembled above-ground pool takes up more space than you'd think. The wall panels alone are 8 to 15 feet long and awkward to handle. Most people don't have a vehicle that can carry this stuff. That's where a junk removal service comes in.
What It Costs in Oregon
Industry Baseline Range
| Service | Industry baseline range |
|---|---|
| Above-ground pool | $800 to $3,000 |
Source: HomeGuide, "Above Ground Pool Removal Cost" national cost guide.
These are industry baseline ranges for planning only and may not reflect Otesse's price. Otesse pricing is calculated for your specific home and ZIP code, so enter your ZIP in the price box on this page for your instant price.
Current Market Reality
Pool removal pricing depends on pool diameter, whether you drain and take the pool apart yourself or hand off the whole job, how much of the sand base comes out, and how close a truck can get to the yard. Removing the sand base adds real labor, which is why many owners leave it and landscape over it. For comparison, a full deck demolition is usually more work than a pool removal.
| What moves the price | Pushes it up | Keeps it lower |
|---|---|---|
| Pool size | Large pools, 21 to 27 feet | Small pools, 10 to 12 feet |
| Sand base | Sand base removed and hauled | Sand left in place and landscaped over |
| Access | Tight backyards with no truck access | Open access close to the street |
| Service level | Crew drains and takes the pool apart | You drain and disassemble, crew hauls |
| Disposal | Treated or mixed materials | Clean wood or metal that can be recycled |
Every home is different. For a price built on your own home rather than a national range, enter your ZIP in the price box on this page for your instant price.
Can You DIY This?
Honestly? You can handle the draining and disassembly yourself with basic tools and a free Saturday. The hard part is hauling the debris. Steel pool walls don't fit in a truck bed, the liner weighs 100+ pounds wet, and the filter/pump assembly is bulky.
If you have access to a trailer and don't mind a trip to the transfer station, DIY can save a real share of the cost. Metro South in Oregon City charges by weight, so check current rates before you load up. The steel frame can go to a scrap metal recycler, which might even pay you a few dollars.
But if you want it gone in a day without renting a trailer and making dump runs, call a crew. Most above-ground pool removals take 2 to 4 hours for a two-person team.
After the Pool Is Gone
The ground under an above-ground pool is compacted, possibly sandy, and usually dead grass. It'll need:
- Raking and leveling
- Topsoil added (2 to 4 inches)
- Reseeding or sod
Give it a full growing season and you won't even be able to tell there was a pool there. In the meantime, it's a great spot for a fire pit, patio, or garden bed -- all of which add more property value than a rusty above-ground pool.
If you're in the Portland metro, Salem, or Eugene area and want that pool gone, reach out for a quote. September is a common time for pool removal, when everyone's done swimming and ready to reclaim their yard.
