Skip to content 
Office Address
Email Address
If your above-ground pool has turned from weekend escape to weekly chore, you’re not alone. I’ve helped plenty of Tampa homeowners decide whether to fix it or free up the yard, and when removal wins, the “how” can feel daunting. This guide lays out a safe, legal, lawn-friendly plan you can DIY or hand off, step by step.
I’ll cover the right way to drain (without risking fines), how to dismantle the frame and liner without tearing up the grass, when to call 811, and where to take debris in Hillsborough County. If you’re planning other cleanups around the house, start with our Junk Removal in Tampa, FL, to see related options and local guidelines.
Before you grab a pump or a pry bar, run this quick self-check:
Liner: Brittle, cracked, or patched more than once this year.
Frame: Rusted uprights/top rails, wobbles, or warped walls.
Equipment: Pump/filter failing, leaks you’ve chased twice already.
Usage: Family barely swims; maintenance feels constant.
Safety: Loose ladders, unstable decking, or fence/gate issues.
Upcoming plans: Listing the home soon, or needing space for a patio/play area.
Rule of thumb: if two or more of the above are true, and you’re not excited to invest in new equipment/liner, removal usually beats repair on time, cost, and long-term hassle. A clean, flexible yard also photographs better for showings and cuts monthly upkeep.
If you decide the teardown route is the smarter play, here’s a look at the step-by-step process I follow for Above Ground Pool Removal in Tampa, FL, so you know exactly what to expect.
Don’t drain to the street or a storm drain. Tampa treats anything but clean stormwater in the storm system as an illicit discharge. Dechlorinate first and keep water on your lawn, never into gutters or inlets. See the city’s guidance on Illicit Discharge for what’s prohibited. (City of Tampa)
Dechlorinated pool water is allowed in Florida, within limits. State rules permit dechlorinated swimming pool discharges as long as they don’t violate water-quality standards. In practice, neutralize chlorine (or wait until it’s non-detectable) and disperse water across your yard so it doesn’t run off. Review DEP’s BMPs and Rule 62-624 for specifics: DEP stormwater BMPs for pools and 62-624 MS4 rule. (FDEP, VBT Assets)
Call before you pull posts or disturb footers. Florida law requires you to notify Sunshine 811 at least two full business days before digging so utilities can be marked; the statute (Chapter 556) backs that up. (Sunshine 811)
Permits: simple teardowns usually don’t, but attachments can change that. Freestanding above-ground pool removals typically don’t trigger permits, but attached decks, electrical, or broader demo work may. When in doubt, check the HillsGovHub permitting portal or the Residential Demolition checklist before you start. (Hillsborough County)
Plan disposal in the county-approved way. If you self-haul, use Community Collection Centers (CCC) (check locations/hours). If you need curb pickup, schedule a bulky pickup before placing debris at the curb. (Hillsborough County)
If you decide DIY isn’t worth the weekend, here’s exactly how we handle Above Ground Pool Removal in Tampa, FL—drain → dismantle → haul → tidy—so you can compare options without guesswork.
Before I touch a bolt, I line up the basics so removal goes fast and lawn-safe. Here’s the exact checklist I use:
Pick a dry window (24–48 hrs). Rain makes discharge and load-out messy.
Power down. Shut off breakers to the pump/filter; verify GFCI trips.
Water plan. Dechlorinate and map a slow, lawn-friendly discharge path away from streets and drains.
Tools & supplies. Pump or siphon hose, chlorine neutralizer, socket set, tin snips or angle grinder, utility knife (fresh blades), tarps/plywood for paths, contractor bags, work gloves, eye/ear protection, rake, soil for backfill.
Yard protection. Lay tarps/plywood to create a clean path from pool to curb/driveway; move grills/furniture out of the way.
Access & staging. Clear a parking spot for loading; pre-stage metal vs. non-recyclables to save trips.
Disposal plan. Decide now: self-haul vs. scheduled bulky pickup; separate metals for faster drop-off.
Safety & help. Keep kids/pets inside; have a second set of hands for wall sections.
Hidden hazards. If posts/footers or attached decking are involved, schedule utility locates before digging.
Site restore. Have topsoil/seed (or sod) ready to regrade and patch immediately.
If you’d rather skip the setup and teardown, compare this checklist to how we handle Above Ground Pool Removal in Tampa, FL—drain → dismantle → haul → tidy.
Dechlorinate first. Use a neutralizer or let chlorine dissipate until it’s non-detectable.
Disperse on the lawn. Lay a hose to the turf and move it every 20–30 minutes to avoid puddling or runoff.
Protect low spots. Sandbag or divert flow away from slopes, beds, and hardscape.
Never to the street/storm drain. Keep water on your property.
Shut off breakers to the pump/filter and confirm GFCI trips.
Bleed lines and cap as needed.
Unplug and stage equipment on a tarp. If any wiring is hard-connected or a deck light is tied in, bring in a licensed electrician.
Liner: Slice at the bead, then cut into manageable strips; bag tightly.
Wall: Unbolt the seam, then unwind onto a tarp so sharp edges never touch turf.
Frame: Remove top rails and uprights; stack metals separately for recycling.
Base: Lift foam; rake and collect fines. Keep a magnet handy for stray screws.
Utility marks first if digging or pulling anchors.
Extract anchors with a post puller; backfill and tamp in 4–6″ lifts.
Deck caution: Detach ledger/connections cleanly; shore if needed; remove stair stringers last.
Protect paths with plywood/tarps from the yard to the driveway.
Sort as you go: metals | plastics | liner/foam | trash.
Stage for transport or a scheduled bulky pickup (don’t curb it early).
Final pass: Rake, regrade, add topsoil, and seed or sod.
If midway you decide the weekend is better spent elsewhere, here’s exactly what I do on a turnkey job: Above Ground Pool Removal in Tampa, FL. For broader cleanup planning, the full list of local options lives at Junk Removal in Tampa, FL.
Here’s the cleanest way to get materials off your property without headaches, and with anchors you can keep as-is:
Self-haul to a Community Collection Center (CCC). CCCs accept bulky waste, appliances, scrap metal, electronics, paint, tires, recyclables, and batteries. Check locations, hours, and what’s accepted here: Community Collection Centers (CCC) and Find a Waste Disposal Facility. (Hillsborough County)
Schedule curbside instead of curb-surprising. If you prefer not to haul, request special curbside pickup for bulky items before placing debris at the curb (County requires scheduling first). (Hillsborough County)
Sort as you go. Keep metal panels/rails separate from liner, foam, and plastics—drop-off goes faster and aligns with CCC intake. See accepted categories under Find a Waste Disposal Facility. (Hillsborough County)
Handle chemicals the right way. If you uncover paints, solvents, or other HHW while cleaning the pad or attached deck, use the County’s household hazardous waste guidance and collection sites (Sheldon, South County, and Hillsborough Heights on their designated Saturdays). (Hillsborough County)
Bring ID and a plan for documentation. Some items/locations require residency verification or paperwork; confirm what you need under Find a Waste Disposal Facility. (Hillsborough County)
If your teardown creates extra limbs, brush, or decking offcuts, here’s a helpful companion guide: Yard Waste Removal in Tampa, FL, Use it when green waste piles up alongside pool debris.
I’m pro-DIY when it truly saves you time and money, and pro-hiring when it doesn’t. Here’s the quick decision lens I use on Tampa jobs:
DIY makes sense when:
The pool is small/medium, access is wide, and there’s no attached deck or hard-wired electric.
You have two capable helpers and a full day (sometimes two) to drain, cut, load, and restore.
You’re comfortable handling sharp sheet metal, power tools, and careful water discharge.
Expect DIY out-of-pocket for:
Chlorine neutralizer, fresh blades, contractor bags, tarps/plywood, soil/seed or sod.
Fuel and possible disposal fees if self-hauling; a scheduled bulky pickup may also carry a charge.
Your time (often the biggest cost): plan on a full weekend for most homeowners.
Hire a pro when:
The wall is heavily rusted, the frame is warped, or the yard is tight with no clean path out.
There’s an attached deck, buried posts/footers, or any hard-connected electrical.
You’re on a sale timeline and need a guaranteed, lawn-safe teardown with proper drainage and disposal.
What you actually buy with a pro:
Faster, safer teardown; turf protection; correct dechlorination/discharge; sorted recycling; site regrade.
Fewer trips, fewer cuts, and less chance of curbside violations or stormwater mistakes.
Clear scope and cleanup standards you can hold us to.
If you want a benchmark to compare against your DIY plan, here’s exactly what I include on a turnkey job: Above Ground Pool Removal in Tampa, FL. For other cleanup goals around the house, you can browse options from the hub: Junk Removal in Tampa, FL.
Once the pool is gone, I like to make the area look “finished” fast so it doesn’t scream demo site.
Regrade and patch the footprint. Rake smooth, add a bit of topsoil, then choose your path: quick sod or slower-from-seed. UF/IFAS has a clear, step-by-step on Planting Your Florida Lawn and a quick refresher on Installing Sod so establishment goes smoothly. (Gardening Solutions, Florida-Friendly Landscaping)
Go lower-maintenance with Florida-friendly plants. If you’re converting to beds or a small native garden, the UF/IFAS Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ principles are the gold standard for water-wise, low-upkeep yards. (Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Gardening Solutions)
Plan disposal the right way (County or City).
In unincorporated Hillsborough County, schedule Special Curbside Pickup for Bulky Items before placing anything at the curb, or self-haul to Community Collection Centers (CCC); accepted materials, hours, and ID requirements are listed under Find a Waste Disposal Facility. (Hillsborough County)
Inside City of Tampa limits, request a Curbside Special Solid Waste Pick-up for bulky items or unbundled yard waste; fees apply. (City of Tampa)
I see these trip homeowners up all the time—and they’re easy to prevent:
Draining to the street or a storm drain. Tampa treats anything but clean stormwater in the storm system as an illicit discharge. Dechlorinate and keep water on your lawn—never into gutters or inlets. See Stormwater Illegal Dumping.
Skipping utility locates. Even shallow post removal can hit lines. Notify Sunshine 811 at least two full business days before digging.
Curb-dumping without scheduling. In unincorporated Hillsborough, you must schedule Special Curbside Pickup for Bulky Items before placing debris at the curb.
Mixing recyclables with trash. Keep metal wall panels and rails separate and self-haul to Community Collection Centers (CCC) (check accepted items/hours under Find a Waste Disposal Facility).
Using the wrong pickup program. Inside Tampa city limits, bulky set-outs run through the City—request a Curbside Special Solid Waste Pick-up (fees apply).
Sources: (City of Tampa, Sunshine 811, Hillsborough County)
No. Tampa treats anything but clean stormwater in the storm system as an illicit discharge. Dechlorinate and disperse on your lawn—never to gutters or inlets. See Stormwater Illegal Dumping.
Often no for simple tear-downs, but attachments (decks/electrical) can change that. When in doubt, check the HillsGovHub permitting portal and the Residential Demolition submission requirements.
Self-haul to Community Collection Centers (CCC); confirm accepted items/hours under Find a Waste Disposal Facility.
Yes. Notify Sunshine 811 at least two full business days before digging so utilities can be marked.
Unincorporated Hillsborough County: schedule Special Curbside Pickup for Bulky Items before placing anything out.
Inside City of Tampa: request a Curbside Special Solid Waste Pick-up (fees may apply).
Most DIY tear-downs run a solid day (drain + dismantle + load-out) and a few hours for lawn touch-ups. Tight access, decks, or heavy rust can stretch it to a weekend. If you’d rather skip it, here’s what I include on a turnkey job: Above Ground Pool Removal in Tampa, FL.
Whether you need a quick garage cleanout or a full property haul-away, Junk Guyz is here to make it easy, affordable, and stress-free.
Optimized by Seraphinite Accelerator
