Hi all --
I've been lurking on TFP for a bit. I'm a daughter (hence my handle) trying to help my 79 year old mother (who is a recent widow) do a massive in ground pool renovation. My father passed away without having done anything major to the pool for probably the last 15 years. Recently the pump started blowing air -- which apparently means holes in the copper plumbing. . . so basically this is going to be restoration that will include new pipes, pump, etc -- and maybe even adding in a jacuzzi. The pool hasn't been replastered in a long time etc. We are also bringing up the entire deck -- they have to repipe anyway -- so basically everything is up for grabs.
This project is actually a year out -- it wont happen until spring 2020 given the scope -- but I'm looking at bids now to lock it into place and I have a lot of big picture questions. I was hoping maybe some of the experienced forum members could chime in with perspective.
(1) How bad is it to expand an existing pool (remember its 50+ years old) to try an add a hottub/jacuzzi element? We are trying to understand what kind of can of worms (or not) this would add to the project. If that is a bad idea, then is there a way to build a separate in-ground tub near the pool ? Remember we can do anything at this point -- it will be a pool shell surrounded by a vast expanse of mud so we can run piping anywhere.
(2) What is the best approach to resurfacing an old pool? We have a quotation that includes sandblasting -- but I was reading that with old pools, one needs to chip away the plaster -- can someone help me? As I understand it, some of the piping runs under the pool so the bottom will have to be opened anyway to rerun pipes -- so how does sand blasting fit into all of this?
(3) Saltwater generator v. chlorine. My mother isn't getting any younger -- currently she has a pool guy who comes in and charges a fortune to maintain the pool but he does it all -- she doesn't have to do anything with chemicals etc. I'd been reading that these newer saltwater generators are easier -- but other forums suggest you still need to balance the pool. I also don't understand the salt part -- do you actually dump salt into the pool and then the salt cell runs a charge through to convert to chlorine? Can people chime in on the right system for a woman who will be in her 80s? My brother lives in the same town so he is around -- but I'm trying to sort the best system for an aging person -- so thoughts would be welcome.
(4) Skimmers. The pool contractors all agree we need more skimmers. The pool has 1. People are saying that 3 are needed. How do you determine how many skimmers are needed in a pool?
I know this is just a forum -- I won't hold anyone to anything -- I just need to get more educated and this seemed like a good way to start.
I've been lurking on TFP for a bit. I'm a daughter (hence my handle) trying to help my 79 year old mother (who is a recent widow) do a massive in ground pool renovation. My father passed away without having done anything major to the pool for probably the last 15 years. Recently the pump started blowing air -- which apparently means holes in the copper plumbing. . . so basically this is going to be restoration that will include new pipes, pump, etc -- and maybe even adding in a jacuzzi. The pool hasn't been replastered in a long time etc. We are also bringing up the entire deck -- they have to repipe anyway -- so basically everything is up for grabs.
This project is actually a year out -- it wont happen until spring 2020 given the scope -- but I'm looking at bids now to lock it into place and I have a lot of big picture questions. I was hoping maybe some of the experienced forum members could chime in with perspective.
(1) How bad is it to expand an existing pool (remember its 50+ years old) to try an add a hottub/jacuzzi element? We are trying to understand what kind of can of worms (or not) this would add to the project. If that is a bad idea, then is there a way to build a separate in-ground tub near the pool ? Remember we can do anything at this point -- it will be a pool shell surrounded by a vast expanse of mud so we can run piping anywhere.
(2) What is the best approach to resurfacing an old pool? We have a quotation that includes sandblasting -- but I was reading that with old pools, one needs to chip away the plaster -- can someone help me? As I understand it, some of the piping runs under the pool so the bottom will have to be opened anyway to rerun pipes -- so how does sand blasting fit into all of this?
(3) Saltwater generator v. chlorine. My mother isn't getting any younger -- currently she has a pool guy who comes in and charges a fortune to maintain the pool but he does it all -- she doesn't have to do anything with chemicals etc. I'd been reading that these newer saltwater generators are easier -- but other forums suggest you still need to balance the pool. I also don't understand the salt part -- do you actually dump salt into the pool and then the salt cell runs a charge through to convert to chlorine? Can people chime in on the right system for a woman who will be in her 80s? My brother lives in the same town so he is around -- but I'm trying to sort the best system for an aging person -- so thoughts would be welcome.
(4) Skimmers. The pool contractors all agree we need more skimmers. The pool has 1. People are saying that 3 are needed. How do you determine how many skimmers are needed in a pool?
I know this is just a forum -- I won't hold anyone to anything -- I just need to get more educated and this seemed like a good way to start.