Starting a renovation on older inground, Chicago

[blazer58]

I have an in ground plaster pool that was not used by the previous owners, and not opened or cared for in at least 4/5 years.
Found a pool company to help get us started.
The pool was almost black, and full of who knows what.
We have opted to do a drain and clean, as cleaning only was close to the same price, and we needed all of the plumbing tested.

Yesterday they started, pool is drained, and in bad shape.
There are plaster spots that need repair, concrete around top edging is in bad shape and our side vacuum line may be plugged or damage

The good, the rest of the plumbing lines are fine, including the main drain.

PB said their are going to have to do a light acid wash, as a chlorine wash will not work.
Now I am worried about the plaster with an acid wash.

All of this and no ideal if the heater works, or the pumps/filter leak.
Pumps kicked on, but with no water were not ran.

Will work on pics, and progress as we go along.

No questions yet, except maybe view points on filters.
We have a DE now, and PB suggested a newer cartage filter, but am thinking a sand filter, or dealing with the DE for now, until we see what the cost to repair everything is going to be.

I also have talked to frustratedpoolmom who is not far from me. she will be helping get the water correct, and showing me how to run things, maintenance when we are on vacation, ect.

 

[blazer58]

 

[kimkats]

Good job getting to work on this! I bet we can get you up and running for at least this summer!

I would not do the acid wash as it will remove some of the plaster and you have stated it is already in sad shape. What I would do is a good scrubbing with hard bristle brooms and chlorine. Then once you get water in the pool hoping the balanced water will help remove some of the stains. If not just live with it while you save up your pennies for a future redo.

Filter-I would take yours apart and see if the grids are any good. My guess is they may be ripped or such so not good any more. IF the grids are still good then keep on with this filter. Updates to the equipment can happen on a as needed bases that way.

Kim

 

[blazer58]

 

[blazer58]

I see I need to resize my pics.

In the pics you can see were they tried to spot/test wash with chlorine. They said the black spots/algae are to embedded, and best option would be a diluted acid wash.
You can also see were the plaster has chipped in spots.
Going to talk to PB this am, and figure best options.

We just got this house a year ago, and as most people budget is an issue.
Wife has already priced quotes on filling it in, but letting me see if we can get it running, and then major repairs as needed.
It was resurfaced about 8/10 years ago (have to recheck), past owner left us with the pool construction blueprints, and maintenance that was done over the years.

 

[Geebot]

The time since the last resurface is irrelevant because of the damage that has been done due to neglect. A good re-plaster will last 20 years if you maintain the pool. On the other hand, if you fail to properly winterize, you can ruin a re-plaster job in one season. If you want to try to keep it as-is then I wouldn't be that concerned about an acid wash (if you're an acid-wash away from disaster then better to find out sooner than later - the amount of material removed is negligible).

 

[keithw]

How about a pic of the equipment area? And I agree with Kim. Since it does not appear to leak for now I would just do the minimal cleaning to get it operational again. Either scrub with bleach or a light and careful pressure washing. The surface might not look the greatest when done but over time the chlorine will bleach it out and it shouldn't affect the usability or enjoyment of the pool. Then take some time to see how the surface reacts and looks over the summer. Also someone more knowledgeable might chime in but while it is empty that drain that is off to the right on the slope could be a danger. Older drains often were not designed to prevent someone from getting stuck to it. You can purchase an anti-entrapment cover relatively cheaply that can replace a standard cover and would prevent any issue. I'd probably seal the vacuum line and either do a pressure side cleaner like a Polaris 360 or a robot. I am sure you have them but I do not see any returns in the pictures. If you do pressure side you would want to have a valve installed on each of the return lines at the equipment pad so you could regulate the flow into the cleaner and I would position the cleaner on the return that is closest to the middle of the pool.

 

[Jannylee53]

I’m following. We plugged our pressure side because it appeared to be leaking. We purchased a robot. Love it. Doesn’t use all that electricity.

 

[blazer58]

keithw...that drain that is off to the right on the slope could be a danger... Thats the cover from the skimmer, it fell off the deck, so no drain there.

Talked to PB this am, they could not test the side vac. line, but it looks to have been repaired, due to a 12x12 concrete patch in the decking right about it, so we are assuming it's good. If not they suggested for now, plug it, and get a robot.
I voiced my concerns about the acid wash, he siad it should be fine, as they dilute it quite a bit, and will use a ele. power washer as low as speed that it has.
I was not thrilled about the power washer, but they assured they will not loosen or blow off any plaster.

We are going to have them remove any lose plaster and they will patch as needed for now.

Geebot....The time since the last resurface is irrelevant because of the damage that has been done due to neglect. A good re-plaster will last 20 years if you maintain the pool..... all of what you said is pretty much in line with the pool company

I have to say, the company we are using seem pretty honest and up front.
They have been thru this before, and are not trying to sell us anything, believe in using all of the equipment that works.
He said save your money for upgrades/or when things break, and lets get it running for this season and go from there

 

[blazer58]

pics of the pool shed.
I added a sub panel, rewired all the pumps, still need to redo the bonding, add new timers, and a switch for the pool light.
I left the old ele. in place so the pool company could review, I still need to remove them also

 

[kimkats]

Will he put into writing that if the "light" acid wash does make the pool unusable he will fix it for free or close to it???

 

[sktn77a]

As bad as it is, it's going to need an acid wash. I wouldn't worry about it - if it does cause problems, better find out about it sooner rather than later (as one poster above has said).

Great that you are renovating the pool and that you decided not to fill it in!

Keep us updated!

 

[PrehistoricPool]

Wow, Blazer, that equipment shed looks like the boiler room for the Pentagon! That thing is massive!

I think you are on the right track to just try to get it operational for now and see where it goes. I predict you will enjoy it so much that you will be willing to spend some money on it later, and your wife won't mind. One suggestion: make sure you check out the wiring on the light.

 

[blazer58]

Kim, I don't think he will put that in writing. I guess I will have to take him at his word. I asked him about painting the plaster, knowing full well that's not an option, his reply was...no, some do it, buts its not a good ideal. Then went on to explain why.

PrehistoricPool...Been keeping up with your reno, some day I hope we can get our old pool looking as good as yours.
I checked the deck box, and the wiring looked ok, pool company will open fixture inside the pool and check it after cleaning.
Hoping to switch it to some type of led

If the acid wash does more damage than good, we will cross that bridge then. In our area to fill in a pool is 10,000/17,000, plus permits/inspections.
I think I can figure a way to get it running cheaper than that.
Wife gave me another option tho, instead of filling it in, she saw a picture of a pool that was filled half way with river rock, and converted to a big fire pit.
Have to say, the ideal looked good

 

[kimkats]

That would be a BIG fire pit!! Not sure you could get a burn permit for that LOL

I have to say I REALLY like your guy. He seems to know what he is talking about and has some skills in his tool bag. It will be interesting to see what happens as things are done with the pool and equipment.

Kim

 

[Geebot]

Will he put into writing that if the "light" acid wash does make the pool unusable he will fix it for free or close to it???

Honestly, if the acid wash is the determinative factor for catastrophic failure then it's already too late.

- - - Updated - - -

I had that same Jandy heater. Had about two service calls per season (I'm also in Chicago). Finally chucked it for a new Raypak.

 

[blazer58]

I had that same Jandy heater. Had about two service calls per season (I'm also in Chicago). Finally chucked it for a new Raypak.

Thats what I am afraid of, its from 2005 and looks to have seen better days.

So they acid washed today, and will do a chlorine wash tomorrow. None of the plaster blew up (for now) PB said it seemed to be ok.
Now thats is fairly clean and the plaster was looked at closer, the recoat was only about 1/8 inch thick. I am guessing the past owner tried to do it himself.
What is chipped is down to the old plaster, and not the concrete shell, PB said that was good.

They are still working, will try to get pics if they finish before dark.
It already looks 100% better.

 

[blazer58]

Pool filling up....
Alot of the staining came out, and PB thinks the chlorine will beach out even more

We did all the cosmetic we are doing for now till we see if the pumps/heater/ect work.
Guessing pool will be filled by Sat/Sun.
We have decided to use as is, and will tackle more of the decking/tile repairs as money allows
I walked down into the pool and cannot see any damage caused by the acid wash, but time will tell.
Will start saving $ to have the pool re-plastered in the near future.

We still have to buy a ladder and a rail for the steps, solar cover and reel, and guessing a robotic cleaner, and heater.
I will also tackle patching the edge of the deck were it laps into the pool, and then painting, caulk the edge were the tile meets the concrete deck.


After seeing all of the threads on others renovation, I should have titled my thread different.
More like bring an old pool back to life, as our pool is no where as nice as the others, but I have time.

 

[kimkats]

That water color is going to be awesome when it is filled! So lets learn how to take care of that pool! I have a set of links I put together for new pool owners. It is a lot of info but it will all start to make sense once you start using it.

Print these out:
Pool School - Basic Pool Care Schedule

Pool School - Recommended Levels

Bookmark these:
Pool School - Recommended Pool Chemicals

Pool Math

Pool School - ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry

Make sure to ask any and all questions you might have no matter how small! We have all been where you are at one point.

You also need to get a good test kit. Everything we teach here is based on doing your own testing. We have found over and over and over again that the "free" pool store testing is not free in the end. If you walk out of the building with your arms loaded with stuff it is not really free. Here ia TFP we use stuff you can buy at Target and Walmart! How cool is that??? That info is in the above links. Look in my siggy below for the test kit I think is the best bang for the buck!

Kim

 

[blazer58]

Kim,
The TF_100 was the first thing I bought before we even hired a pool company, that and 12 gallons of Clorox, lol.
Thanks for the links, I had most booked marked, and have been reading them since day 1.