Where to start in repair/updating?

[Dchord]

Hi! First post here. We bought and moved into a home last fall (2019). Since then we have been learning a little each day about our in-ground hybrid pool (concrete floor with fiberglass panel walls, most popular I think around the 70s-80s).
After searching for posts from others with a similar pool type, I think maybe all of us who own these are currently or have recently been dealing with repair jobs on these.
While mine has several problems (floor needs resurfacing, some panel walls bubbling and/or bend somewhat), I am troubled most by the decking and coping around the pool. Pictures
After reading I am starting to think at some point in the past the pool had been emptied incorrectly and as a result it rose slightly. I also see the water line is closer to the lip in shallow end than it is in the deep. Additionally, the concrete deck slopes toward the house from the pool at what seems a rather steep angle. (Didn’t get pics of these two features.)

1. Do you think from the photos that is likely? Or is it impossible to say?
2. Whatever the issue, what the heck can we do besides fill it in and make a patio?

 

[ajw22]

Hybrid Pools - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

If the pool is holding water and not leaking I would enjoy it as long as it lasts. Trying to repair it will just open a box of snakes unless you are a real handy DIYer. Finding folks who understand these pools and work on them seems to be impossible.

 

[jimmythegreek]

Best thing to do with a hybrid is liner the whole pool from the top. You can grind out the bubbles to smooth them. If you plan to remodel just rip the deck amd start over with coping amd track to recieve the liner up top then fix the deck amd drainage issue. You can cheat the unevenness at this time easily

 

[wireform]

One of my pools exactly of the same vintage with concrete/fiber glass composition was nothing but trouble with water loss. Repairs to it was all a waste of money. Had the OP turn it into a liner pool 3 years back and it has been wonderful since. This year they went salt/SWCG which gave them the next level of easier pool care.

 

[sktn77a]

I'd enjoy the pool until you can't any longer. Then it will be time for a major renovation (pool, decking, etc, etc). It looks like its a big pool so you could build a gunite "pool inside a pool". Here's what I did with my hybrid pool:

EcoFinish Pool wall questions

Great advice to stay with a solid vinyl liner. I do worry about fading. As to overall take-aways to this entire ordeal: 1) When looking to renovate your pool ALWAYS ask the Pool renovator if they are doing the work themselves and not using a 3rd party sub-contractor. ONLY deal directly with...

www.troublefreepool.com

(Look at post #79)

 

[Dchord]

Hybrid Pools - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Finding folks who understand these pools and work on them seems to be impossible.

Have you owned one before, or did you service one?

 

[Dchord]

Best thing to do with a hybrid is liner the whole pool from the top. You can grind out the bubbles to smooth them. If you plan to remodel just rip the deck amd start over with coping amd track to recieve the liner up top then fix the deck amd drainage issue. You can cheat the unevenness at this time easily

I thought I’d read somewhere that a liner wouldn’t fit correctly with the panel seams and similar surface issues. Do you think it would fit enough to work for 5-6 years?

 

[ajw22]

Have you owned one before, or did you service one?

Nope. There are enough threads here over the years with owners experiences.

 

[wireform]

I have two pools 45-50 years old. Fiberglass concrete and steel and or a combination there of and both had some issues and needed extensive rehab work. We went for a custom liner and both op's couldn't be happier.

 

[Dchord]

I have two pools 45-50 years old. Fiberglass concrete and steel and or a combination there of and both had some issues and needed extensive rehab work. We went for a custom liner and both op's couldn't be happier.

I may have difficulty in my area finding someone, but I will start exploring the liner option. Do you know what they have to do to prep the pool before installing the liner? I realize they'll need to carefully measure, but what else would they do? Remove coping? Drill holes into floor of pool? Would they remove fiberglass walls or just cover w/ liner?

 

[wireform]

I was heavily involved in only one of them. They did a very precise measurement and it fit like a glove. The pool had only one return and one skimmer. In order for the liner to work they had to cut the deck and install a new skimmer and new return so while they were at it I had them do a second return which made a huge difference to the water circulation. All for $4500.00 three years ago.