Who Should I Call For Tree Roots Growing Into My Inground Pool?

Get rid of tree roots diving into your inground pool

tree in backyard with swimming pool
Photo: Elenathewise / Adobe Stock
tree in backyard with swimming pool
Photo: Elenathewise / Adobe Stock
Christopher Murray
Contributing Writer
Updated December 11, 2023
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Your inground pool was likely a major home investment, so the last thing you want to see is serious damage caused by surrounding trees. If you’re wondering who to call for tree roots growing into your inground pool, we’ve got you covered.

Tree roots are powerful and can get through even the toughest surfaces. Tree maintenance professional can help you kill the roots and get them out of the ground, but you’ll need to contact a pool specialist to fix the damage to your pool.

Benefits of Hiring an Arborist to Remove Roots Growing Into an Inground Pool

Hiring a tree maintenance professional in your area helps ensure that the job gets done quickly and properly. They’ll assess the damage, determine the best solution, and take a vital step in helping you get your pool back up and running.

Here are the many benefits of working with tree removal experts:

  • Long history of experience: Tree maintenance pros understand the ins and outs of tree work. They have the necessary experience needed to remove roots and the entire tree without further damage to your pool. 

  • Provide their own equipment: Tree maintenance pros know everything from how to kill tree roots with root killers to the equipment necessary to dislodge them from underneath pools. They have more equipment on hand than the average homeowners, allowing them to easily remove trees.

  • Strong knowledge of safety protocols: Removing tree roots from a pool isn’t as easy as it may seem, especially if it causes the entire tree to die. Tree maintenance pros ensure proper safety protocols are in place when removing roots.

  • Provide their own insurance: Homeowners insurance policies don’t often cover any injuries that may result from workers on your property. Tree maintenance pros have their insurance attached to their businesses, so they’re liable for any medical bills associated with injuries while working. 

  • Identify other problems with your trees: Tree maintenance pros can survey your entire property and tell you the state of each of your trees. They can let you know if other roots from other trees may grow into your inground pool over time and can help you come up with a course of action.

Can I DIY Tree Root Removal From My Pool?

If tree roots are just starting to grow around your pool, you may be able to get rid of them with a tree root killer. If there’s serious damage and multiple tree roots lodged in your pool, it’s best to get professional help. Tree maintenance pros are able to remove the tree roots without causing more damage.

When it comes to the pool itself, you should not try repairing the damage alone. If repaired incorrectly, you risk making a hole in your pool’s surface or losing water, which are costly mistakes. Pool companies often provide repair services for damage done by tree roots, and their professionals have the tools and experience necessary to get the job done.

Can I Hire a Pool Installer to Remove Tree Roots?

You should hire a pool installer for this task, but only after the roots are gone. A tree maintenance pro can only help removing the tree roots themselves, not repairing the damage they’ve done. Pool installers have repair departments, especially for costly inground pools.

Professional pool repair teams will come out and patch up the pool or install a new pool floor, making it safe for use. Unfortunately, getting your pool repaired is an added cost to the total tree removal cost

How Do Tree Maintenance Specialists Remove Tree Roots From Your Inground Pool?

arborist sawing a tree trunk
Photo: Marina Novitkaia / istock / Getty Images

Removing tree roots from an inground pool is a delicate process that requires careful planning and execution to avoid further damage to your pool. Here are general step-by-step instructions that a qualified tree maintenance pro is likely to follow:

  1. Assess the damage: The tree maintenance pro will examine the pool area and identify the location of the tree roots causing the issue. They’ll assess the size of the roots and the extent of the damage to determine the best course of action. 

  2. Assess the health of the tree: A tree maintenance pro will evaluate the overall health of the tree to determine if removal is necessary. If the tree can be saved, tree maintenance pros will explore alternative solutions, such as root pruning or root barriers.

  3. Cut tree roots: Using specialized tools like root saws or pruners, tree maintenance pros carefully cut away the roots going into the pool. Tree maintenance pros know how to cut roots in a way that doesn’t harm the tree. 

  4. Spray root killer: If the entire tree needs to come down, tree maintenance pros may use root killer to get the roots out of the ground easier. 

  5. Remove cut roots: After cutting them back, tree maintenance pros remove the cut roots from the pool area to prevent them from causing further issues. Most tree maintenance pros will take the roots and dispose of them prosperity on your behalf. 

  6. Replace the soil: Part of the root-removing process involves backfilling holes left by the roots. Tree maintenance pros will fill these holes with suitable soil to ensure the pool’s stability.

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Learn more about our contributor
Christopher Murray
Contributing Writer
Christopher Murray is a contributing writer who specializes in DIY improvements, real estate, personal finance, and sustainability. He loves helping readers learn to build their own creations and improve their homes. His work can also be found on sites like Bankrate, Finance Buzz, Time, and The New York Post where he blends finance with sustainable home improvement.
Christopher Murray is a contributing writer who specializes in DIY improvements, real estate, personal finance, and sustainability. He loves helping readers learn to build their own creations and improve their homes. His work can also be found on sites like Bankrate, Finance Buzz, Time, and The New York Post where he blends finance with sustainable home improvement.
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