Kidney-shaped in-ground pool with stagnant green water and a worn concrete deck, before demolition — real Karhan project, Central Florida

Real Project — Documented Step by Step

Removing an In-Ground Pool in Central Florida

Every photo on this page is from one real Karhan project — the same backyard, photographed from the first assessment through demolition and backfill. No stock photos, no renders, no other contractor’s work. This is what taking out an in-ground pool actually looks like.

The Starting Point: A Pool Past Saving

The pool had been out of service long enough for the water to turn. At that point an owner has two honest options: a full renovation of the shell and equipment, or removal. This owner chose removal — reclaiming the yard rather than restoring the pool.

BEFORE — kidney-shaped in-ground pool full of dark green water with blue tile trim and a concrete deck before demolition (real Karhan project, Central Florida)

Deck Demolition and Site Prep

The concrete deck comes up first, section by section, and a utility trench is dug alongside so lines can be dealt with safely before any heavy breaking starts. Compact machines matter on a job like this — a mini track loader fits through a residential gate and works a fenced Florida backyard without taking the fence down.

DURING — pool deck demolition starting with a rotary hammer and wheelbarrow beside the stagnant water (real Karhan project)

DURING — freshly dug utility trench running alongside the concrete pool deck with a plate compactor staged (real Karhan project)

DURING — mini track loader parked beside the half-drained pool with the chrome handrail still in place (real Karhan project)

Draining and Breaking Up the Shell

With the pool drained, the shell and coping are broken up and collapsed inward. Doing this in a controlled sequence — deck, coping, walls — keeps the debris contained in the pit instead of spread across the yard.

DURING — broken concrete slabs collapsing into the drained pool shell as the loader works the churned dirt (real Karhan project)

DURING — broken pool coping collapsing into the debris pile beside the track loader bucket (real Karhan project)

DURING — demolished pool shell filled with concrete rubble beside a dirt yard scored with track marks (real Karhan project)

Backfill and Grading

The pit is backfilled in compacted lifts, working the fill over the broken shell, then rough-graded level with the rest of the yard. The photos below run right up to that grading stage — the yard leaves the project as compacted, level ground, ready for sod, a paver patio, or whatever comes next for the space.

DURING — pool being backfilled, one end piled with dirt and the shell still holding broken concrete (real Karhan project)

DURING — track loader pushing dirt into the pool pit above broken white concrete and blue tile (real Karhan project)

LATE STAGE — backyard graded smooth with heavy track marks, the last corner of the shell holding rubble at right (real Karhan project)

Thinking About Your Own Pool?

Removal is one answer; it isn’t the only one. If the shell is sound, a renovation or a new pool enclosure can be the better investment — and if the pool is truly done, removal reclaims the yard for something you’ll actually use. Which way to go depends on the shell’s condition, your plans for the space, and resale considerations, and we’ll give you a straight read on all three.

Talk It Through First

Tell us about your pool and your plans for the yard — free phone consultation, no pressure either direction.

(407) 634-4099 Pool Enclosure Services