Stair Removal - How To Remove An In-Ground Swimming Pool
Let's get the stairs out of the pool so we can cut an access ramp in for our machine to do the demolition.
First, jump in the pool and look around the stairs for a strip of plastic/rubber that hides the screws that hold it in place. Remove the strip and then remove the screws.
Next, make a game plan. Most of these stairs are cast-in-place with concrete around the bottom and you'll have to resign yourself to complete destruction to remove them. OK, once you've gotten over that, position your backhoe/excavator on the side of the pool and dig a trench in front of where the stairs meet the bottom of the pool.
Next, move your machine around so it's facing down the steps. Reach in with the bucket and pull up on the stairs through the trench you just dug. Do this a few times and they should come free.
If you find a need to cut the stairs while you're doing the demo I found that a wood blade on a Sawzall works really well.
First, jump in the pool and look around the stairs for a strip of plastic/rubber that hides the screws that hold it in place. Remove the strip and then remove the screws.
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| Note the screws around the edges |
Next, make a game plan. Most of these stairs are cast-in-place with concrete around the bottom and you'll have to resign yourself to complete destruction to remove them. OK, once you've gotten over that, position your backhoe/excavator on the side of the pool and dig a trench in front of where the stairs meet the bottom of the pool.
 |
| Trench dug at the bottom of the stairs |
Next, move your machine around so it's facing down the steps. Reach in with the bucket and pull up on the stairs through the trench you just dug. Do this a few times and they should come free.
If you find a need to cut the stairs while you're doing the demo I found that a wood blade on a Sawzall works really well.
 |
| Goodbye, stairs! |
Stairs gone? Now make yourself an access ramp
