Partial vs. Full Pool Removal in Ontario: Which Is Right for Your Yard?
When you decide to get rid of an inground pool, the next decision is how to remove it. In Ontario there are two main options: partial removal and full removal. Partial is cheaper and faster. Full removal costs more but leaves nothing buried. The right choice depends on what you want that part of your yard to become, and whether you plan to sell or build in the future.
This guide explains both methods the way we explain them on site visits across London, Komoka, Ilderton, Dorchester and the rest of Southwestern Ontario.
The short answer
Choose partial removal if the area will be lawn or gardens and you want the most cost-effective option.
Choose full removal if you might build a garage, addition, shed or patio structure there, or if you want a clean answer for future buyers.
What is partial pool removal?
Partial removal, sometimes called pool abandonment or a pool fill-in, removes the top section of the pool (coping, deck and upper walls), breaks holes through the floor so water can drain into the ground, and fills the remaining shell. The fill is compacted and topped with topsoil and sod.
Pros of partial removal
Lower cost: less demolition, less trucking and smaller equipment
Faster: often completed in just a few days
Great result for lawns, play areas and gardens when done properly
Cons of partial removal
Concrete or wall material stays buried
Not suitable for building over later
May need to be disclosed when you sell
What is full pool removal?
Full removal takes the entire structure out of the ground: deck, walls, floor, steel, liner and plumbing. The hole is then backfilled with suitable fill placed in layers and compacted, so the ground behaves like undisturbed soil.
Pros of full removal
Nothing left in the ground
Best option if you'll ever build on the area
Simplest story for buyers and home inspectors
Cons of full removal
Higher cost because of extra demolition, hauling and fill
More truck traffic and machine time
Side-by-side: partial vs. full pool removal
Cost: partial is lower; full is higher
Time on site: partial is usually shorter
Future building: partial is not recommended; full is the right choice
Resale: partial is often disclosed; full removal leaves nothing to explain
Lawn or garden: both work when fill is compacted properly
Why compaction matters more than the method
Most horror stories about sinking backyards come from loose fill, not from the removal method. Whichever option you choose, the fill has to go in layer by layer and be compacted before the next layer goes in. Municipal pool demolition standards in many jurisdictions call for compacted lifts for exactly this reason. Ask any contractor you're considering how thick their lifts are and how they compact them.
Drainage: the step people forget
Clay soil is common around London and Middlesex County, and clay doesn't drain well. That's why breaking the pool floor in a partial removal isn't optional: without drainage holes, the old shell becomes a buried bathtub that holds water. The finished grade also has to slope away from your house and can't send water onto your neighbour's yard. London's Drainage By-law WM-4 sets rules for downspouts and sump discharge that are worth reviewing when you're reshaping your yard.
What about selling your home later?
A filled-in pool is a normal thing for buyers to see, but they'll ask how it was done. Keep:
Your contract and invoice describing the method
Before, during and after photos
Any records of compaction or inspections
Disclosure of partial removal is often expected during resale, so documentation protects you either way.
Which option is right for your yard?
Ask yourself three questions:
Will anything ever be built there? If yes or maybe, go with full removal.
Are you selling in the next few years? Full removal makes the conversation easier.
Is it simply going to be lawn? A properly drained and compacted partial removal is usually the best value.
For pricing on each option, see our pool removal cost guide for London, Ontario.
Frequently asked questions
Can you build on top of a partially removed pool?
It's generally not recommended. If a structure might go there, choose full removal with compacted fill.
Will a filled-in pool area sink?
Not if it's done right. Settling comes from loose fill. Layered, compacted fill with graded topsoil stays level.
Can you convert a partial removal to a full removal later?
Yes, but you'll pay to dig out the fill and old shell. If you're unsure about future plans, it's usually cheaper to do full removal once.
Does SPM do both types?
Yes. We handle partial and full removals from demolition through to grading and sod.
Talk to a pool removal specialist
We've been removing pools in London and Southwestern Ontario since 2006, and we'll give you an honest recommendation, not just the bigger invoice. Call or text (519) 474-0008 for a free on-site quote, or read our pool removal FAQ.
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