Can I Install A Fiberglass Pool Shell In An Existing Pool?

Good question, and we get it somewhat regularly. We call this recycling a hole. It's possible but not a cost savings measure. It is delicate, harder, and more expensive than if there was nothing in the back yard in the first place. Sorry. For many that doesn't matter. People love their pool and are ready to renovate their back yard.

In the case of a concrete pool, we will demolish and remove the floor with a jack hammer. Any areas that interfere with the bedding and fiberglass pool shell will be removed. This will be based on the depth of the existing concrete pool versus the fiberglass pool shell combined with the new desired elevations. Usually, we will remove the walls and concrete decking as well.

A vinyl pool is a bit simpler. The walls will simply be removed and discarded if they are in the way. The liner and vermiculite removed to get to undisturbed soil. We then set our gravel bed and install the pool shell.

As far as the patio – You don't HAVE to remove all of it if you don't want to, but it's a good idea. It's usually not worth the effort to connect to and reuse. Typically it's old and unmatchable. It's difficult to design around an existing patio with the new pool and apron outline and make it look deliberate. It's is also hard work around for new installation which is why we end up removing all of the patio and starting over.

We remove the plumbing lines and conduit, and replace with new material. At that point the old equipment becomes a no brainer to take out and rebuild as well.

We used to think the lack of soil hauling would offset the demo and be a wash. That was never the case. Ever. It ends up costing about 2k more than a fresh start with the soil haul off once you include demo and debris. If the existing pool is very large, and you are installing a small fiberglass pool inside, you might be able to lose much of the concrete in the bottom of the hole, but that's a special and unique job.

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