In-ground swimming pool removal project in Mount Prospect, IL with demolition of the existing pool structure and surrounding concrete deck.

This swimming pool removal and landscape improvement project in Mount Prospect, IL involves removing an existing in-ground pool and its surrounding concrete deck and patio areas, preparing the site for new concrete hardscaping, and restoring the backyard for future use. The project combines pool demolition, drainage preparation, backfilling, soil grading, new concrete installation, and landscape improvements to create a more functional outdoor space.

The work begins with removing the existing concrete around the pool, dismantling and hauling away the vinyl pool walls, and creating drainage openings in the pool floor before backfilling. A portion of the removed concrete will be reused as fill, while the remaining material will be hauled away. Once the pool area is filled and graded, the project will continue with new concrete patio and sidewalk installations, front-yard retaining wall construction, and optional sod installation after the backyard demolition and concrete work are complete.

Project Goals

Remove the existing swimming pool and its vinyl wall system.
Demolish the surrounding concrete pool deck and patio areas.
Reuse a portion of the removed concrete as fill and dispose of the remaining material.
Create drainage openings in the pool floor before backfilling.
Backfill the pool area and finish the upper four to five inches with topsoil.
Remove overgrown bushes, small trees, and unwanted plant material.
Regrade the backyard to establish a more consistent landscape surface.
Install topsoil and river rock near the shed area.
Prepare designated areas for a new concrete patio and sidewalks.
Install a Quarry Stone retaining wall along the front of the home.
Provide an optional sod installation after the backyard removal and concrete work are complete.

Swimming Pool Demolition & Concrete Removal

The first phase involves removing the existing swimming pool and the surrounding concrete deck and patio areas. The concrete will be broken up and removed to allow access to the pool structure and prepare the site for the subsequent demolition and grading work.

Some of the removed concrete will be reused as fill material as part of the pool removal process. Any remaining concrete that is not reused will be hauled away for disposal. Reusing a portion of the existing material helps incorporate suitable demolition material into the planned site preparation rather than removing all of it from the property.

This phase also includes removing the existing vinyl pool walls and hauling them away. Clearing the pool structure and surrounding hardscape is necessary before the pool floor can be prepared for drainage and the remaining void can be backfilled.

Pool Floor Drainage Preparation

Before the pool is backfilled, drainage holes will be created in the existing pool floor. This step is intended to allow water to drain through the pool bottom rather than remain trapped within the former pool basin.

Preparing the pool floor before filling is an important part of the removal process. Once the pool structure is no longer in use, the former basin must be prepared to receive fill material and integrate with the surrounding ground.

The drainage openings will be completed before the backfilling phase proceeds.

Pool Backfilling & Topsoil Installation

After the pool walls have been removed and the drainage openings are in place, the pool area will be backfilled. A portion of the removed concrete will be reused as fill, with the remaining area filled and prepared according to the planned site restoration.

The upper four to five inches will be finished with topsoil. This topsoil layer will provide the surface material needed for final grading and future landscape establishment.

The objective is to bring the former pool area into the broader backyard landscape, creating a graded surface that can be integrated with the surrounding yard and prepared for the next stages of the project.

Removal of Overgrown Landscaping

Existing bushes, small trees, and other plant material that have become overgrown will be removed as part of the backyard preparation. Clearing this vegetation will open the work area and make it easier to complete the pool removal, grading, and new hardscape installation.

Removing unwanted plant material also helps establish a cleaner layout for the restored yard. Once the demolition and vegetation removal are complete, the newly cleared areas can be graded and prepared for topsoil, river rock, and any planned lawn installation.

Backyard Grading & River Rock Near the Shed

Following pool removal and the necessary demolition work, the backyard will be regraded to create a more consistent surface across the work area. Grading helps establish the intended elevations and transitions between the former pool location, the surrounding lawn, and the new hardscape areas.

Topsoil and river rock will also be installed near the shed. This provides a defined landscape treatment around the shed area and helps distinguish the rock-covered section from the surrounding yard.

The grading and material placement will be coordinated with the new concrete work so the backyard can be prepared as a unified outdoor space rather than a collection of separate construction areas.

New Concrete Patio & Sidewalk Installation

The concrete work includes preparing the designated areas for a new patio and sidewalks. Once the site has been cleared and the areas are ready, a stone base approximately three to four inches thick will be installed, followed by wire mesh reinforcement.

Approximately five inches of concrete will then be placed and tamped as part of the installation process. Preparing the base and incorporating wire mesh are important parts of constructing the new concrete surfaces.

The new patio and sidewalks will provide durable hardscape areas and establish defined routes through the outdoor space. Their placement will be coordinated with the pool removal and grading work to create a practical transition between the concrete surfaces and the restored backyard.

Concrete installation note: Concrete is not guaranteed against cracking, popping, or flaking. Permit fees are not included in the concrete work.

Front-Yard Quarry Stone Retaining Wall

The project also includes installing a Quarry Stone retaining wall in front of the home. The proposed wall will extend approximately 35 linear feet and stand approximately one foot tall.

The retaining wall will provide a defined edge within the front-yard landscape and help manage the transition between adjacent ground levels. Its stone appearance will also introduce a durable landscape feature that complements the home’s exterior and surrounding planting areas.

The wall will be installed as a separate component of the overall property improvement, allowing the front-yard work to be coordinated with the larger backyard restoration.

Optional Sod Installation & Lawn Restoration

An optional sod installation is included for the backyard after the existing pool and other designated backyard materials have been removed and the concrete work is complete. The planned sod installation is scheduled for September.

Installing sod after the demolition, grading, and concrete work helps avoid disturbing newly established lawn areas while heavy construction activities are still underway. It also allows the final lawn preparation to take place once the main work areas have been cleared and the site is ready for restoration.

Before sod is installed, the yard will need to be prepared to provide a suitable surface for the new grass. Once installed, the sod will establish a lawn across the designated areas, helping integrate the former pool location with the rest of the backyard.

Coordinating Pool Removal & Landscape Restoration

A major part of this project is coordinating the order of operations. The pool and surrounding concrete must be removed before the basin can be prepared and backfilled. The backyard can then be cleared of overgrown vegetation and graded before the new concrete patio and sidewalks are completed.

The optional sod installation is planned after the demolition and concrete work, helping protect the restored lawn from construction traffic. The retaining wall and river rock area provide additional landscape improvements that complement the broader changes to the property.

By completing the work in a coordinated sequence, the project addresses demolition, ground preparation, hardscaping, and landscape restoration as connected parts of the same overall plan.

Why Proper Pool Removal & Site Preparation Matter

Removing an in-ground pool involves more than dismantling the visible structure. The pool floor must be prepared for drainage, the former basin must be filled, and the resulting surface must be graded to integrate with the surrounding property.

Proper sequencing also matters when new hardscape and lawn areas are planned. Completing demolition and backfilling before installing concrete and sod helps establish the necessary working conditions for each stage of construction.

This project combines pool removal with concrete installation, retaining wall construction, grading, and landscape restoration to prepare the Mount Prospect property for a new outdoor layout without the existing swimming pool.

Project Highlights

In-ground swimming pool removal in Mount Prospect, IL.
Removal of the existing concrete pool deck and patio areas.
Reuse of a portion of the removed concrete as fill.
Hauling away remaining concrete and existing vinyl pool walls.
Installation of drainage holes in the pool floor before backfilling.
Pool backfilling with the upper four to five inches finished with topsoil.
Removal of overgrown bushes, small trees, and unwanted plant material.
Regrading of the backyard.
Topsoil and river rock installation near the shed.
Preparation of new patio and sidewalk areas.
Installation of a three-to-four-inch stone base and wire mesh for concrete work.
Placement and tamping of approximately five inches of concrete.
Installation of an approximately 35-foot-long, one-foot-tall Quarry Stone retaining wall in the front yard.
Optional backyard sod installation after pool removal and concrete work, planned for September.

As you browse through the photos, you can see how the project progresses from pool demolition and concrete removal to site preparation, grading, and the installation of new outdoor features. Each phase helps prepare the property for its next stage, from handling the former pool basin to establishing the new patio, sidewalks, retaining wall, and landscape areas.

The completed project will provide a backyard layout without the existing swimming pool, with new concrete hardscaping and a prepared landscape surface. The addition of a front-yard Quarry Stone retaining wall and the optional sod installation further support the property’s overall outdoor improvements.