Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings

Placing a pool in the ground can lead to a variety of unexpected problems. Once the pool is empty, it can float while in the ground. If the soil conditions are correct, then the pool may actually begin to "float" on top of the ground, causing soil erosion or even fundamental problems for a neighboring house. Here is an inexpensive and easy way to rid yourself of unwanted phenomena in an underground pool.

Steps

1. 1 Drain the pool. Do this when the soil is dry so that the pool does not float out of the ground. If the water contains chlorine or other harmful chemicals, make sure that it does not collect in storm drains or other places, as this can lead to environmental pollution.
2. 2 Use a jackhammer, sledgehammer, or other tool to punch a hole in the bottom of the pool. This will allow the water to drain from it.
3. 3 Remove all top walkways, tiles, and any other concrete around the pool that you no longer need. Throw everything into the pool over the holes you made.
4. 4 Cover the old cement with a layer of rubble. Then cover it with a layer of sand or just fill the rest of it with earth. If possible, tamp it down to reduce settling over time. Be sure the top foot (30 cm) of soil is fertile soil if you want to plant anything on top of it.

Tips

• Placing a layer of filter material over the openings in the bottom of the pool will help keep them free of silt so they can continue to drain properly.
• These instructions are not intended for use with vinyl and metal pools, they only apply to concrete pools.

Warnings

• If you've spent a lot of concrete and didn't use rubble and sand, you will get much more subsidence than you could.
• Drill lots of holes (or even smash the bottom of the pool) to facilitate drainage.
• Check local regulations and building codes for what you can do in the ground. You may not be able to leave vinyl or concrete in the ground.