1950s Pool - To replumb or not?

[Jayandtea]

I have a 30gal pool from the 1950s that hasn't been touched much since then. (Maybe it was resurfaced in the 70s or 80s?) We have to resurface it because the lining is totally gone. We will also have to split the main drain and bring the light up to code. My big question is weather we should replumb/repipe the whole pool. This would be significant added cost because it would mean that we have to demo and replace all of the concrete. The piping is definitely original galvanized pipe with only one return line in the deep end (Seems like there used to be two in the deep end but one has been plugged up.) We recently replaced our DE filter and pump so those are good as is. If we replumb we would consider adding a heater or salt system. Would love to hear your opinions.

 

[Newdude]

Oooooof. That’s a hard choice on the wallet. I personally wouldn’t want to risk damaging the nice new finish (which also wasn’t cheap) if/when the antique plumbing fails. Your resurfacing can last 15 years, will the plumbing make it to 85 years ? (Holy cow it’s already 70 years old)

‘Now’s the time’ they say, But *they* also don’t have to pay for it, so there’s that.

 

[mknauss]

I would suggest not bothering with the main drain. Abandon it. Their limited function is outweighed by the cost to upgrade.

 

[Jayandtea]

Thanks so much Newdude! It is a tough call - I really appreciate the opinion!

 

[sktn77a]

If there's no evidence of leaks, I'd leave it alone.

 

[yblaser]

Although our pool is not quite that old it did have copper plumbing. When we redid it this spring we opted to have all the plumbing redone. We did have a leak so that helped the decision. We did abandon the main drain and added split suction on the wall in it's place. All in all they ended up taking about 1/3 of the concrete pool decking out to do the plumbing.

 

[Jayandtea]

Thanks for the opinion skt. I am definitely leaning towards not doing it only because it would double the price. I am curious if we have leaks though. yblaser, how did you find out you had a leak? We do lose water every week but it's hard to tell if it's a leak or just evaporation.

 

[Newdude]

We do lose water every week but it's hard to tell if it's a leak or just evaporation.

Have you done a bucket test ? Its simple and pretty decisive. In case you haven't read about one yet, put a brick in a bucket and put it on your second step and fill the bucket as high as the pool water. Check for a few days and if they evaporate the same, there are no major leaks. If the pool lowers more than the water in the bucket, you are loosing water and then can calculate how much.

 

[Jayandtea]

Cool, great idea! Thanks Newdude. We will do the bucket test and let you know what we find out.

 

[yblaser]

Yes the bucket test is the definitive way to do it. In our case we have a pool cover which should make the water loss to evaporation minimal and our leak was rather large so it was obvious.

 

[mguzzy]

I love the old classic pools.. looks like you have kept it up well.

I would also factor in your pool equipment. If its been a few decades since it was updated you are going to want to update that as well. I see you already have a VSP so it looks like some of your stuff has been updated to the pending codes for CA.

 

[Jayandtea]

Thanks mguzzy! Fun fact - the original owner got a prescription for aquatherapy in order to put in the pool. Not sure why that was necessary at the time but we found it when we pulled permits.

 

[ajw22]

Thanks mguzzy! Fun fact - the original owner got a prescription for aquatherapy in order to put in the pool. Not sure why that was necessary at the time but we found it when we pulled permits.

Tax deduction on the pool installation as a medical expense.

 

[doug.hillmer]

Back to your original post, I do not see much response on the last sentence about new heater and/or salt system. I suspect you can decide those things independently of the replumb (i.e. you can still add a heater or SWG even if you do not replumb).

I assume you have had people come out and look at it and give you the quotes. Did any of them take a camera and run it through the existing plumbing to see what the condition of the pipes look like inside? Redoing all the exterior part of the plumbing is much easier then what is actually connected to the pool (i.e. runs through the walls).

FWIW we resurfaced our pool in 2000, so now 20 years. We did not replumb. The original pool was built in the late 1970s, so maybe now half the age of yours. As others have said, the main drain is not worth any investment. The question becomes whether or not the rest of the plumbing will suffice to keep the water circulating. I personally would NOT replumb unless there is an obvious problem with the existing configuration. It may not be optimal, but it is hard to justify the expense and extra TIME to get it redone (IMnsHO). Of course without being able to see/inspect it in person I may be way off base.

 

[sktn77a]

Tax deduction on the pool installation as a medical expense.

Probably worked in the 1950s. Today it would get you a visit from the IRS and a nasty penalty!

 

[ajw22]

Probably worked in the 1950s. Today it would get you a visit from the IRS and a nasty penalty!

It can still be done today with proper documentation. Although the tax deduction was higher value back then with higher tax rates...

Pools, Spas, and Other Home Improvements That Can Be Tax Deductible

The expense of some major home improvements, such as pools, spas, elevators, lifts, and ramps may actually be tax deductible.

www.verywellhealth.com

If swimming and other water exercise are prescribed as a treatment or physical therapy, the cost of constructing a home swimming pool, hot tub, or swim spa may be partly deductible as a medical expense. However, the IRS is likely to question the deductions because of the possibility that the pool may be used for recreation. If you can show that the pool is specially equipped to alleviate your condition and is not generally suited for recreation, the IRS will likely allow the deduction.

Example: The IRS allowed a deduction for a pool constructed by an osteoarthritis patient. His physician prescribed swimming several times a day as a treatment. He built an indoor lap pool with specially designed stairs and a hydrotherapy device. Given these features, the IRS concluded that the pool was specially designed to provide medical treatment.