As the South African summer of 2025-26 winds down, smart homeowners turn their attention to their swimming pools. While a simple winterisation protects your pool for the off-season, an increasing trend for 2026 is permanent resizing—transforming a large, underused pool into a modern plunge pool, a vibrant garden, or an extended entertainment area. This guide covers both paths, concluding with the most critical decision you’ll make.
Part 1: The Seasonal Close-Down (Winterising)
For a temporary shutdown, follow this tried-and-tested process:
Chemical Balance is Key: A week before closing, test and balance your water (aim for pH 7.2-7.6). Perform a strong shock treatment 24 hours later to create a sterile environment, preventing algae during dormancy.
The Deep Clean: Vacuum thoroughly and brush all surfaces. Clean your filter meticulously—backwash sand or DE filters, and rinse cartridges.
Water Level Management: Lower the water below the skimmer and return jets. This simple step is your primary defence against potential frost damage in colder regions. Use a winterising plug in the skimmer.
Protect the Plumbing: This is non-negotiable. Water left in pipes can freeze and crack fittings. Use an air blower or shop-vac to clear lines, then cap them. Adding non-toxic pool antifreeze to skimmer lines offers extra insurance.
Secure with a Solid Cover: Invest in a quality, tight-fitting solid cover. It blocks sunlight (starving algae), keeps out debris, and, most importantly, acts as a vital safety barrier. Secure it firmly with a cable/winch system or water bags.
Part 2: The Permanent Resizing Project
Resizing is a significant renovation that enhances usability and reduces long-term costs. The process is technical and must be executed with precision.
The Complete Process Involved:
Drainage: The pool is responsibly drained, adhering to local water usage guidelines. This must be done cautiously to avoid destabilising the surrounding water table or damaging the pool shell.
System Disconnection & Removal: All electrical connections to pumps, lights, and heaters are professionally disconnected and made safe. Plumbing lines are capped or removed.
Strategic Demolition: This is the critical phase. Using specialised equipment like jackhammers or excavators, the concrete or fibreglass shell is systematically broken apart. This is not random destruction; it requires skill to control the breakage, prevent damage to nearby structures, and manage flying debris.
Backfill Engineering: The broken pool material is often used as the first layer of backfill. Holes are punched in the old pool floor for drainage. Then, layers of selected, compactable fill (like crusher run or G5 material) are added in controlled “lifts.” Each layer is mechanically compacted to near 95% Proctor Density. This is the step that prevents future, costly ground settlement and sinking.
Final Grading & Preparation: Once the fill is brought to the desired level and fully compacted, the area is graded to ensure positive drainage away from existing structures. The site is now a stable, blank canvas ready for its new purpose—be it lawn, patio, or the foundation for a new, smaller pool.
Why Professional Expertise is Your Only Safe Choice
Attempting a pool demolition and resizing as a DIY project is fraught with severe risks:
Catastrophic Collapse: Incorrect demolition can undermine garden walls, patios, or even your home’s foundation.
The Sinking Nightmare: Improper backfill and compaction guarantee that your new lawn or patio will sink and crack within months.
Invisible Hazards: Striking buried electrical cables, water mains, or gas lines poses life-threatening dangers and leads to monumental repair bills.
This is precisely why your choice of contractor is the single most important factor in the project’s success.
Your Essential Partner: MD Demolition And Construction
For a complex, irreversible operation that affects the very ground your property sits on, you need the certified expertise of MD Demolition And Construction. They are not just demolitionists; they are groundworks specialists who understand the engineering principles of safe removal and stable reconstruction.
Choosing MD Demolition And Construction means a seamless, professional process from start to finish. They manage the entire operation—from safe utility disconnection and methodical, controlled demolition, to the scientifically-backed backfill and compaction process that ensures permanent stability. They transform a liability into a secure, valuable asset of your property.
For your 2026 project, secure your investment and your peace of mind. Partner with MD Demolition And Construction and build your new vision on a foundation of absolute certainty.