Concrete Pool Renovation - Ideas/recommendations

[Jay1634]

Hey all, new here and enjoying the wealth of knowledge everyone seems to have. I am a first time pool owner and have began the challenge of renovation my 1970's poured concrete pool; located in Pittsburgh. This was remodeled with a liner at some point and was neglected for 10+ years by previous owners. I cleaned it out, removed the liner that was ruined, pressure tested the waterlines and found that all the lines were shot. Just had the old pool decking removed so that I can replace the water lines and add a few more features. At this point, I think I have have my final plan in place however would like to get any feedback from everyone here. So let me know what you think or if you have any ideas that I should change please.

Current design:

• 18' x 38'
• 4' > 8' with shallow end only 3' wide
• 2 return lines, 1 skimmer box.

Proposed design:

• 28' x 38' (new 5' x 15' Baja shelf along the length of the pool ~9" deep)
  • this will involve horizontally cutting the existing side wall and pouring a new slab in this area.
• decrease pool depth to have a more usable shallow end (thoughts on size of shallow? 10' wide? decrease deep end to 5'?)
  • accomplish this by adding compacted stone to the deep end with rebar and pouring a new slab
• Add two deck jets
• Add poured concrete steps.
• Coping, either poured concrete border or Blue stone 18" wide.
• Pool will be sealed with Basecrete and finished with aquabright (if I can find an installer).
• Move pump equipment over slight hillside behind wall (below pool elevation by ~5').

Questions:

• Best location for return lines and skimmer box?
• Do I need a suction line as well?
• Possibly to add lighting in the pool? (none currently)
• is a 5' x 15' baja shelf adequate?
• is it worth moving the equipment over a little hillside to remove from eyesight and sound.

Some images of ideas for the decking attached (minus the fire pit), the pools current state, and my design.

Thanks for your time in reading this! I am excited for this project.

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

Skimmer location: I try to place skimmer, auto fill and over flow on the house side of pool so you don’t see them from the house. Also I place the skimmer 1/3 from the corner on the side of the pool that the wind terminates.
Suction line: I don’t completely understand that question, if you could add more detail that would help.
Add lighting: yes if it fits in your budget
Baja shelf size: I built the pool in the first picture that you have in you attachments with the 40’ long by 7’ wide reef shelf. The reason behind this was all due to the lounges and having enough area to walk around them when placed as you see in the picture. Size is all a person choice but you have to think of its workability, for example lounges, tables, umbrellas and people.
Moving equipment location: again if it’s in the budget yes move it and have it placed on a continuous poured concrete pad not the 3’X3’ pre poured skid pads. Hope this help, Ray

 

[Jay1634]

Thanks for the information Ray! I believe I had the skimmer location correct by your description.
Maybe suction line is the wrong term.. I thought that is what was used for a pool vacuum?
That is an amazing baja shelf you built! seeing that and now knowing your dimensions I have enlarged mine to 15'x7'. What is the depth of a shelf typically?

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

Most customers ask for 8” of water. You have 2” either direction by adjusting the auto fill, as low as 6” and as high as 10” all depends on your needs. You can also have lights on that shelf.