Above-Ground Pool Removal in London, Ontario: Draining and Disposal
Removing an above-ground pool in London, Ontario is usually a one- to two-day job: drain the water the right way, take the pool apart, send the steel, liner and sand to the right places, then regrade and restore the lawn. The City's main rules to know are how you drain the water (dechlorinate it and keep it out of the storm sewer and off your neighbour's yard) and the Pool Fence By-law, which keeps applying as long as the pool holds water.
Above-ground pools don't last forever. Walls rust at the bottom track, liners crack after a few Ontario winters, and many families simply stop using the pool once the kids grow up. Fall is a good time to deal with it, because the pool is already closed and the lawn has time to start recovering before winter. Here is how the process works in London and the surrounding area, what the by-laws say, and where everything ends up.
Do you need a permit to remove an above-ground pool in London?
London's Swimming Pool Fence and Swimming Pool Regulation By-law (PS-5) defines a swimming pool as a body of water deeper than 75 cm with a surface area over 1 m², meant for swimming or wading. Most above-ground pools are deeper than that, so they fall under the by-law. The City requires a permit to install a pool, but neither PS-5 nor the City's pool page sets out a removal permit.
Two rules still matter during removal:
Water and fencing go together. Section 3.12 of PS-5 says water can't be kept in a pool unless the required enclosure is complete. If you take down a fence or gate first, the pool needs to be empty.
Grading must not send water to your neighbours. The City asks homeowners to request their lot grading plan before changing grading and not to fill in or remove swales. Keep a slope of at least 2% away from your foundation.
Because requirements can change and every lot is different, confirm with the City before you start. You can read the full by-law on the City of London's PS-5 page. If you are outside London, check with your own municipality. Strathroy-Caradoc, St. Thomas and Middlesex Centre all have their own pool by-laws.
Step 1: Drain the pool the right way
Draining is where most homeowners run into trouble. The City of London's stormwater guidance is clear:
Stop adding chlorine and let the level drop, or use a dechlorinating product. Waste Discharge By-law WM-16 limits chlorine in water entering a storm sewer to 1.0 mg/L.
Drain onto your own lawn slowly, so the water soaks in and doesn't run onto a neighbour's property or into the street.
Salt water pools have different rules. The City's guidance directs salt water to the sanitary connection on your property, so call the City first (519-661-2489) to confirm how to do it.
Never pump into a street catch basin. Storm grates in London drain untreated to local creeks and the Thames River.
Plan for draining to take a day or more on clay soil. If the yard floods, pause the pump and let the ground catch up. A wet yard also makes it harder for equipment to work without leaving ruts.
Step 2: Take the pool apart
Once it's empty, an above-ground pool comes apart in roughly the reverse order it went in:
Remove ladders, steps, pumps, filters, heaters and any deck or stairs attached to the pool.
Cut and roll up the vinyl liner. Old liners are brittle and heavy with grit, so cut them into manageable strips.
Remove top rails, uprights and the steel or resin wall. Wear cut-resistant gloves, because rusted wall edges are sharp.
Pull the bottom track and any patio stones or blocks the uprights sat on.
Remove the sand or stone-dust base and any foam cove around the inside edge.
Disconnect and cap electrical circuits. Any electrical work, including removing the pump circuit, should be done by a licensed electrician.
If the pool was partly dug in, or sits against a deck, retaining wall or slope, the job becomes more like a small excavation. That's when it makes sense to hire a contractor with equipment and insurance.
Step 3: Disposal: where everything goes
An above-ground pool produces three main waste streams: metal, plastic and vinyl, and base material. In London:
Steel walls, rails, uprights: City EnviroDepots accept scrap metal free of charge, or take it to a private scrap dealer
Liner, foam cove, plastic parts: Check the Recycle Coach app or call 519-661-4585; renovation-type loads at EnviroDepots are charged by vehicle size
Sand and stone-dust base: Can often be reused on site to fill low spots or as a base for a shed or patio
Pumps, heaters, filters: Some are scrap metal; resell or donate working units
London's EnviroDepots are at 28 Clarke Rd, 1450 Oxford St W and 21462 Clarke Rd, and there is a drop-off at the W12A landfill (3502 Manning Dr). The City's EnviroDepot page lists current hours and fees. Note that W12A does not take construction and demolition waste, so renovation-type material belongs at an EnviroDepot.
Step 4: Restore the yard
The footprint of an above-ground pool is usually a flat, compacted circle or oval of dead grass with a sand base. To bring it back:
Check the grade first. Many pools were set on a levelled pad cut into a slope. Removing the pool can leave a dip or a raised bench that sends water the wrong way. Our guide to lot grading in London explains the slopes to aim for.
Loosen compacted soil. Years under water and a heavy pool compact the subsoil. Rip or till it before adding topsoil.
Add quality topsoil. Plan for a layer of screened topsoil over the area. Our topsoil page explains what we deliver.
Sod or seed. Sod gives an instant lawn and holds soil on a slope. In mid-October in southwestern Ontario there is still time to lay sod while temperatures are cool. See our sod installation page for more.
DIY vs. hiring a contractor
Fully above-ground, level yard: DIY: Doable with 2–3 people; Contractor: Faster, includes haul-away
Partly in-ground or set into a slope: DIY: Hard; digging and grading needed; Contractor: Equipment handles cut and fill
Attached deck or stairs: DIY: Demolition plus disposal; Contractor: Done in one visit
Electrical disconnect: DIY: Licensed electrician required; Contractor: Coordinated for you
Grading and sod afterwards: DIY: Separate material orders; Contractor: One crew, one quote
Why this matters in London's clay soils
Much of London sits on heavy clay. When an above-ground pool comes out, the compacted pad can act like a shallow bowl, holding water after every rain. That's why we treat removal as a grading job, not only a demolition job. If water already collects in your yard, read why backyards flood on London clay before you decide what goes in the pool's place.
Thinking about an inground pool instead?
Inground pools are a different project, with concrete or steel walls, backfill compaction and often a permit or engineering requirements depending on the municipality. If that's your situation, start with our inground pool removal page.
FAQ
Does London's pool by-law apply to above-ground pools?
London's PS-5 by-law defines a swimming pool as anything deeper than 75 cm with a surface area over 1 m², intended for swimming or wading. Most above-ground pools meet that definition, so fencing rules apply as long as the pool holds water.
Do I need a permit to take down an above-ground pool in London?
The City requires a permit to install a pool, but PS-5 doesn't set out a removal permit. Confirm with the City before you start, and remember that the pool must be empty if you remove a required fence or gate.
Can I drain my pool into the street in London?
No. Storm grates drain untreated to creeks and the Thames River. Dechlorinate the water and drain it slowly onto your own lawn so it soaks in without reaching neighbouring properties. Call the City for salt water pools.
Where do I take an old pool liner and steel walls?
London's EnviroDepots accept scrap metal free of charge. For liners and other materials, check the Recycle Coach app or call the City at 519-661-4585 for the current disposal option.
How long does above-ground pool removal take?
Draining can take a day or more depending on soil. Teardown and haul-away are often done in a day, and grading, topsoil and sod usually add another day.
What should I put where the pool was?
Most homeowners regrade, add topsoil and lay sod. Others use the level pad for a patio, shed or garden. Check the grading first so water drains away from the house.
Get a free above-ground pool removal quote
SPM Landscape & Excavation has served London and southwestern Ontario since 2006. We are WSIB covered and carry $1 million in liability insurance. We handle teardown, disposal, grading, topsoil and sod in one visit. Call (519) 474-0008, email spmlandscape@gmail.com, or visit us at 791 Manchester Rd, London.
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