Choosing the Right Excavator for In-Ground Vinyl Liner Pool Removal

[MikePhua]

Removing an in-ground vinyl liner pool is a challenging task that requires careful planning, the right equipment, and efficient execution to minimize time, cost, and damage to the surrounding yard. Selecting the appropriate excavator size and type is crucial for a successful pool demolition project. Pools, especially older ones, often have steel panel walls supported by concrete piers and filled with materials like vermiculite, which create unique challenges for dismantling.
Factors Influencing Excavator Size Selection

• Pool Structure: Vinyl liner pools typically have steel walls anchored to concrete piers buried around the pool perimeter, which provides structural support. These piers may require significantly more force to break through than just soil excavation.
  
• Pool Age and Condition: Older pools, like ones 20-30 years old, tend to have rusted or weakened steel walls, which might reduce the force needed for removal compared to newer pools.
  
• Access and Space Constraints: Mini excavators with compact designs (1-2 ton range) can maneuver through standard 36-inch gates and tight yards, reducing the need for expensive site preparation or fence removal.
  
• Project Scope and Duration: For small to medium-sized pools and shorter projects, a larger mini excavator (around 8,000 lbs) is often sufficient. In contrast, larger pools or those with reinforced concrete may require medium-sized or bigger excavators.
  

Small and Mini Excavators for Pool Removal
Mini excavators in the 1-2 ton range have grown increasingly popular for residential pool demolition due to their balance of power and maneuverability. These machines are capable of:

• Navigating narrow yards without needing major access modifications.
  
• Delivering sufficient hydraulic force for breaking up pool walls and concrete decks.
  
• Using specialized attachments like hydraulic breakers (delivering 2,000-3,000 ft-lbs of impact force) and thumb attachments to handle debris efficiently.
  
• Achieving digging depths up to around 71 inches and reach lengths over 100 inches, making them adaptable to various pool dimensions.
  

A notable advantage of mini excavators is their swing boom design that allows operators to work from multiple angles without repositioning the entire machine, which is immensely helpful in confined spaces typical of backyard pools.
Larger Excavators and Their Role
For pools that have reinforced concrete walls or especially robust anchoring systems, larger excavators with higher operating weights and power may be necessary. Medium excavators with long arms can handle breaking through thick concrete and lifting heavy debris into dump trucks. However, they come with increased rental costs, transportation challenges, and potentially more disruption to the site.
Steps in Pool Removal Using Excavators

1. Site Preparation
   • Obtain all necessary permits and utility clearances.
     
   • Drain pool water and safely remove all equipment.
     
   • Establish safety barriers and equipment staging zones.
     
2. Liner and Structural Removal
   • Remove the vinyl liner carefully; older liners may be brittle and need to be bagged or disposed of properly.
     
   • Use hydraulic breakers to dismantle steel walls and concrete decking, focusing on manageable sections at a time.
     
3. Material Handling
   • Sort materials for recycling, separating concrete, steel, and other debris.
     
   • Create drainage holes to prevent water pooling in the pit.
     
   • Stage debris properly for efficient removal.
     
4. Excavation and Grading
   • Excavate pool materials such as vermiculite from the bottom.
     
   • Backfill progressively using clean crushed stone, compactable soil, and a final layer of topsoil.
     
   • Compact each lift of soil to at least 90% density, testing moisture content and compaction systematically.
     
5. Final Yard Restoration
   • Grade the site with a slight slope (1-2%) away from nearby structures to ensure proper drainage.
     
   • Prepare the yard for new landscaping or construction.
     

Real-World Examples and Additional Tips

• A homeowner in Dallas used an 8,000 lb mini excavator to successfully remove a 30-year-old vinyl liner pool with rusted steel walls. Despite the anchored concrete piers, the rust weakened the structure, allowing for removal with careful use of breakout tools.
  
• Professional contractors recommend using attachments such as hydraulic breakers and thumbs to speed up demolition and handle heavy debris efficiently.
  
• Renting mini excavators typically costs around $200 to $400 per day, with total demolition expenses ranging from $9,000 to $15,000, including labor, permits, disposal, and backfill materials.
  
• Smaller machines reduce landscape disruption, which leads to savings in site restoration costs compared to full-sized excavators.
  
• In challenging cases where the pool is deeply reinforced, a medium excavator with a long arm and heavy-duty attachments may be necessary.
  

Terminology Glossary

• Mini Excavator: A compact excavator typically weighing 1 to 5 tons, designed for smaller jobs and tight spaces.
  
• Hydraulic Breaker: An attachment that delivers powerful percussive force to break concrete and rocks.
  
• Thumb Attachment: A mechanical thumb on the excavator’s arm used to grip and handle debris.
  
• Compaction Lift: Layers of soil added in increments and compacted to ensure stability.
  
• Vermiculite: A mineral often used as a loose filling material at pool bottoms for insulation and cushioning.
  
• Swing Boom: An excavator boom design that allows lateral movement, increasing operational flexibility.
  

Suggested Solutions and Recommendations

• Evaluate the pool structure carefully before renting equipment. Older pools with rusted steel may require less power, but concrete piers demand stronger machines.
  
• Use mini excavators for most vinyl liner pool removals as they balance power, access, and cost-effectiveness.
  
• Equip mini excavators with appropriate attachments like hydraulic breakers and thumbs for efficient material handling.
  
• Plan for recycling and proper disposal to reduce waste and comply with environmental regulations.
  
• Consider soil compaction and grading early in the project to avoid drainage issues and yard settling later.
  
• For DIY projects, consult local rental yards about the largest excavators they offer that fit your site constraints.
  
• Secure all permits and inspections before starting to avoid legal complications.
  

A Related Story
In a suburban neighborhood, a family decided to remove their outdated vinyl liner pool to create a backyard garden. They rented a mini excavator similar in size to a Bobcat, equipped with a hydraulic breaker. Over two days, they carefully dismantled the rusted steel walls, breaking the concrete deck section by section. Using the thumb attachment, the operator handled large concrete remnants easily. The project went smoothly and, thanks to precise grading afterward, the garden thrived with excellent drainage. Their experience showed that with proper equipment and planning, pool removal could be a manageable task even for non-professionals.
Overall, choosing the right size excavator, understanding the pool's structural details, and following a systematic removal process ensures successful vinyl liner pool demolition with minimized costs and disruptions.