Is it okay to build a deck over an empty swimming pool?

Question

Neither my husband nor I use our swimming pool in SoCal and it's expensive to maintain. Would any harm be done if we drained it, maybe covered it, and built a deck over it? Could a future owner reclaim the pool if they wanted to?

Answer 1

I would worry that water would still get in when it rains and the deck isn't sealed tight over it.  Then you will have be pumping it out or you will have stagnat water lying in it.

Answer 2

It can be done but it would be best if the pool had some way of draining naturally since your deck covering likely will not be waterproof.  Have a contractor look at it, ask your city building department to see if they have any input.  Your best bet is to get a civil engineer to recommend construction details, span, footings and the like to do it properly.

The next owner will likely need to make repairs to convert it back to a pool.  

A word of caution, an empty pool is lighter than the ground it sits in and can likely move and shift when the earth shakes and during a wet winter can actually float out of the ground.  None of this hurts the pool but it does destroy the plumbing and the pool would have to be demoed because you could not get it back into its hole very well!

You're welcome!!

Answer 3

Be sure leaves, rats, & snakes can't enter to make a home

in the void.

Also would need a sump pump to take care of water accumulation. Don't want a mosquito breeding area.

And yes it could float up while sitting empty.

Another option would be a solid winter cover, looks like a trampoline.

Example at

www.anchorinc.com

Answer 4

you have an excellent idea ! I dont see any problem at all.