Hello, would appreciate thoughts/recommendations on a 40 year old gunite pool. Size is about 15x35 kidney shape. We moved in 1 year ago so known history on the pool is limited. Location is Western NY, where we get 2 months a year of use out of it.
Known work done:
-Previous owners replaced the tile line themselves 5 years ago. The tiles are already coming off. The tile line in general looks poor, especially on one side of the pool. On that side, the coping is hollow underneath.
-Last summer we DIY replaced the skimmer due to a leak (pictures in link below). We also plugged up the 2 return lines and ran a new one over the top due to leaking
Pictures: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/j7l6q8roegyyc1y/AACJJ34su3G_2x6MKsR7PFJXa
I had 2 companies come and give me quotes (only 2 in the area).
As the two companies are giving me opposite opinions on what to do, especially with the coping and plaster, I am looking for a tiebreaker/opinions.
Company A says needs a compete renovation:
-Removing the coping since it is starting to delaminate, and replace with poured concrete.
-Replace waterline tile
-Re-plaster at the same time do get a good seal between the tile line and the plaster to be able to last through the rough winters.
-Seal between concrete decking and new poured concrete coping
-Install 2 new return lines and it is important to have 2
-Put concrete decking down around where we replaced the skimmer, as it is important to not let water get in between the decking and coping
-Will give me 10 year warranty on the concrete, 7 year on the plaster but should last for 20.
Company B says I can pick and choose, even only patching the tile:
-Coping is just fine, and they will reset it
-Replace waterline tile
-Re-plaster is not necessary, so it is optional. They gave me options for marcite or quartz/pebble (Wet Edge)
-Seal between concrete decking and coping
-Only 1 return line is needed, and they will install it right where I put the new one last summer
-Concrete decking around skimmer is not necessary
-Did not mention warranty
Any opinions on coping and plaster condition based on the pictures, would be greatly appreciated. Also, is it necessary to have the 2 return lines for proper water balance and filtration? Will this help improve the life of the plaster? Company A says the decking on top of the skimmer is just as important as sealing the decking-coping gap - to prevent water penetration. Company B says they have some pools where there is no decking - just grass up to the pool so this is not that important. Although I am not too worried about this - not too hard to put decking around the skimmer - I just liked the idea of easy access if leaks down the road.
Known work done:
-Previous owners replaced the tile line themselves 5 years ago. The tiles are already coming off. The tile line in general looks poor, especially on one side of the pool. On that side, the coping is hollow underneath.
-Last summer we DIY replaced the skimmer due to a leak (pictures in link below). We also plugged up the 2 return lines and ran a new one over the top due to leaking
Pictures: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/j7l6q8roegyyc1y/AACJJ34su3G_2x6MKsR7PFJXa
I had 2 companies come and give me quotes (only 2 in the area).
As the two companies are giving me opposite opinions on what to do, especially with the coping and plaster, I am looking for a tiebreaker/opinions.
Company A says needs a compete renovation:
-Removing the coping since it is starting to delaminate, and replace with poured concrete.
-Replace waterline tile
-Re-plaster at the same time do get a good seal between the tile line and the plaster to be able to last through the rough winters.
-Seal between concrete decking and new poured concrete coping
-Install 2 new return lines and it is important to have 2
-Put concrete decking down around where we replaced the skimmer, as it is important to not let water get in between the decking and coping
-Will give me 10 year warranty on the concrete, 7 year on the plaster but should last for 20.
Company B says I can pick and choose, even only patching the tile:
-Coping is just fine, and they will reset it
-Replace waterline tile
-Re-plaster is not necessary, so it is optional. They gave me options for marcite or quartz/pebble (Wet Edge)
-Seal between concrete decking and coping
-Only 1 return line is needed, and they will install it right where I put the new one last summer
-Concrete decking around skimmer is not necessary
-Did not mention warranty
Any opinions on coping and plaster condition based on the pictures, would be greatly appreciated. Also, is it necessary to have the 2 return lines for proper water balance and filtration? Will this help improve the life of the plaster? Company A says the decking on top of the skimmer is just as important as sealing the decking-coping gap - to prevent water penetration. Company B says they have some pools where there is no decking - just grass up to the pool so this is not that important. Although I am not too worried about this - not too hard to put decking around the skimmer - I just liked the idea of easy access if leaks down the road.