By PRO Seal & Paving | Pool Removal & Demolition | Genesee, Orleans & Wyoming Counties, NY
Fiberglass, Concrete, or Vinyl — Your Pool’s Material Changes Everything About How We Remove It, What It Costs, and How Long It Takes
When Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming County homeowners call PRO Seal & Paving for a pool removal estimate, one of the first questions our crew asks is: do you know what your pool is made of? The answer matters — because fiberglass, concrete and gunite, and vinyl-lined steel pools each have distinct removal processes, different equipment requirements, and different cost and timeline profiles. Understanding what type of pool you have helps you have a more informed conversation during your free estimate visit and sets accurate expectations for the project.
This guide covers all three major pool construction types and explains exactly how PRO Seal & Paving approaches each one across our three-county Western NY service area.
How to Identify Your Pool Construction Type
Concrete / Gunite
The walls and floor are made of sprayed concrete (gunite) or poured concrete, often with a plaster or tile finish on the interior surface. These are the heaviest, most durable construction type and the most common in-ground pools installed in Western NY from the 1970s through the 1990s.
How to tell: Tapping the wall produces a solid, dense sound. Interior surface is plaster, pebble finish, or tile — not flexible.
Fiberglass
A single-piece shell molded from fiberglass composite, factory-manufactured and installed as a unit. Fiberglass pools have a characteristic smooth, slightly flexible interior surface and are identifiable by the one-piece shell with no seams visible from inside the pool.
How to tell: Smooth, gel-coat interior — no plaster or tile. Tapping the wall produces a hollow, resonant sound. Single continuous shell with no mortar or grout lines.
Vinyl Liner
A steel or aluminum panel wall system forms the structural shell, with a vinyl liner providing the waterproof interior surface. Very common in the 1980s and 1990s. The liner is visible — a flexible, printed, or solid-color vinyl sheet covering the entire interior surface.
How to tell: Flexible vinyl surface visible inside. Seams visible where liner meets steps or corners. Metal walls accessible from outside or through skimmer opening.
Concrete and Gunite Pool Removal in Western NY
Concrete and gunite pools require the most intensive removal process. The shell cannot be extracted in one piece — it must be broken up using hydraulic excavators and demolition equipment before the material can be removed from the site. Here is what the process looks like:
- Pool is dewatered and utilities are disconnected
- Excavator breaks the shell systematically, starting with the floor and progressing to the walls
- Broken concrete is loaded and hauled — this is the most volume-intensive part of the project; a standard residential concrete pool generates significant debris tonnage
- Rebar and steel reinforcement is separated for recycling
- The excavated void is backfilled with structural fill material, compacted in lifts
- Site graded, topsoil placed, seeded
Timeline: Three to five days for most residential concrete or gunite pools in Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties.
Fiberglass Pool Removal in Western NY
Fiberglass pools offer two primary removal approaches depending on site conditions and access:
Single-Piece Extraction (When Access Allows)
When site access is sufficient — typically a wide gate or open yard — the fiberglass shell can be lifted out of the ground in one piece using excavation equipment. This is the faster and generally cleaner approach, leaving less debris to haul. The intact shell is then transported off site.
Break-and-Remove (Limited Access)
When site access is limited — as is common in many older Genesee County residential backyards — the fiberglass shell is broken in place using excavation equipment and removed in sections. This produces more debris but is often necessary when intact extraction is not practical.
Timeline: Two to four days for most residential fiberglass pools, with shorter durations possible for single-piece extraction projects with good site access.
Vinyl Liner Pool Removal in Western NY
Vinyl liner pools involve both the metal panel wall system and the concrete or sand base, in addition to the liner itself. Removal addresses all components:
- Pool dewatered; liner removed and separated from wall panels
- Steel or aluminum wall panels and bracing system disassembled and removed
- Concrete floor (if present) broken and removed; sand base excavated
- All metal components separated for recycling; vinyl liner and non-recyclables hauled appropriately
- Excavated void backfilled, compacted, graded, and restored
Timeline: Two to four days for most residential vinyl liner pools, depending on pool size and site conditions.
“The most important thing homeowners can tell us before we arrive for an estimate is what type of pool they have. It shapes every other element of the project scope, timeline, and cost. If you are not sure, we will identify it on-site — but knowing ahead helps us give you a more accurate ballpark before the visit.”
Related Resources
PRO SEAL & PAVING — WESTERN NEW YORK
Know What You Have. Get the Estimate That Matches Your Pool.
PRO Seal & Paving removes fiberglass, concrete, gunite, and vinyl liner pools across Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties. Free on-site estimates — we assess your specific pool type and give you an accurate, complete project scope. No guesswork.
Get a Free Estimate
Call 585-356-8689
✓ All Pool Types Removed ✓ Licensed & Insured ✓ Full Site Restoration ✓ Free Estimates
Frequently Asked Questions
Which pool type is most expensive to remove — concrete, fiberglass, or vinyl?
Concrete and gunite pools are generally the most expensive to remove due to the volume of material that must be broken, loaded, and hauled. Fiberglass pools can be similar in cost when break-and-remove is required, but single-piece extraction (when access allows) can reduce cost. Vinyl liner pools are typically the least expensive in-ground pool type to remove due to lighter materials and simpler disassembly. All estimates are provided free and on-site based on your specific pool.
Does it matter whether my pool is old or newer for how removal is priced?
Pool age affects condition more than process. Older concrete pools may be thicker or have more complex rebar configurations that affect break-up time. Older fiberglass shells may be more brittle and break differently during removal. These factors are assessed during the on-site estimate and factored into the project scope accordingly.
Can you remove a pool that has partially collapsed or is structurally compromised?
Yes — structurally compromised pools are actually among the more urgent removal situations we handle. A partially collapsed pool shell creates safety and liability concerns that make prompt removal important. We have the equipment and experience to safely demolish and remove compromised pool structures regardless of their current condition.