Taking down a large AGP - how difficult, how many times will I cut my hand on the metal wall?

[Pauls234]

Installers said they would take down AND haul away my old 30 ft AGP for $450 before putting up my new one. I was planning all along to do it myself because... what am I going to do, break it? The hauling away part is attractive cause I don't know what I'd do other than put it in my front yard and count on the scavengers to take it.

If I DIY, I figure I am probably using a sawzall quite a bit to get the walls into manageable pieces and I better make sure I am up to date on my tetanus shot. So, how tedious is it to take it down in a manageable way? Is this likely to take me more than a full long day assuming I have no help? I've replaced my liner so know what I am in for in terms of removing the top rails, but not sure what is after that.

Two other factors:

• I am still about $2000 under what I assumed I would have to spend on replacement even after cost of install and a new SWG, so what's another $450??
• Installers are coming a month sooner than expected, so I have a lot less time to do this than I thought

(I know, these are probably the two least common sentiments expressed on these forums last 2 years!)

Ok, 3rd factor - I could used the saved time from not tearing down the pool to learn about and repair my gas heater - had an issue come up end of last season and have it diagnosed and a prescribed plan of action from the experts on the forum. This is something I would much rather pay a pro to do, but I cannot find anyone in Chicago land that works on these heaters and will also return a call. So, may just try and make the repair and hire a gas plumber to put it back together and take that risk out of the equation.

 

[cowboycasey]

450 dollars for no blood sweat and tears is well worth the money

 

[Decoy205]

I think 450 is a great deal mostly for the haul away. Good luck whatever you decide!

 

[Mdragger88]

Not sure if u have a scrap yard near u but scrap prices are up
Google “recycling near me”
I am a scrapper so That would be what I did with the wall & all the steel parts. If the top rails are aluminum they can be scrapped too.
Most people cut the wall into pieces that aren’t too heavy/large to lift & roll them up & tape them securely with duct tape.
Similar to what u do with carpet.
Definitely wear leather gloves & buy the good sawzall blades!

 

[Casey]

Why cut it? Roll it up and duct tape it!!! That's how they come minus the duct tape. You're creating more work for yourself! Wear gloves n you wont cut yourself.

 

[Newdude]

Get the thick 5X blades fot the sawzall. They last until the teeth are gone and rarely snap like the regular ones.

The top/bottom rails and posts will cut fairly easy and the wall roll up like Casey said.

Post a Facebook (etc) ad for free scrap and someone will come pick it up. I got about $60 for mine and a flat tire from the scrap yard ($25). Adding air the tire broke the aluminum valvestem and cost $140 (?) For a new TPMS one. So I sold my scrap for a hefty loss.

 

[Mdragger88]

Not sure how yours is but my 33’ wall is 2 pieces so I could unbolt it & roll up fairly quickly. Probably need help to load & unload as it’s definitely heavy. I wouldn’t try cutting it into lots of pieces- definitely lots more work.
@Casey installed & then subsequently uninstalled her new sharkline pool by herself & stored it in a relatively small area so it can definitely be done!

 

[Pauls234]

Thanks everyone for the thoughts both ways.

Casey - I was planning on cutting it into a few pieces because I can't imagine how I could move it otherwise! The replacement wall that was delivered I can barely budge....

Mdragger - If I was a scrapper, I think I would do as you suggest.

The other thing, is if I were to take it to scrapyard myself, I would have to rent a home depot truck or something.

I think I am feeling more like cowboycasey and Jcosenza....

 

[kul]

If you feel comfortable with the price, save yourself the time/energy!

 

[Newdude]

You can cut pieces as small as you need, but if you need car trunk sized pieces, then it will take forever to cut and move. And half the savings will go to the rental truck.

Sipping lemonade while pointing at the workers sure has its merits sometimes.

 

[Mdragger88]

It never crossed my mind that not everyone has a truck or trailer to haul junk around in

 

[Pauls234]

Paying the installers to remove AND haul away for the win! I need to focus on re-configuring my electric and plumbing... time to mosey on over to Everything Else.