Convert from Gunnite to Vinyl Liner?

[leanna251]

Hi everyone, I desperately need some advice about my pool. It’s a gunite pool and started leaking water at an excessive rate. I hired a leak detection company, and they said it has several cracks (one structural) and it needs to be resurfaced.

I also have a pool maintenance company that comes out once a week and services the pool. They are saying they would rather just install a liner in the pool over the concrete. In fact, they are just about insisting on that. I’m not sure if that’s a good solution or not. Amy thoughts on this?

 

[kimkats]

It is up to YOU what you want done. I will also say if one of the cracks is structural then you HAVE to fix it even if you put a liner in the pool. The liner could slip into the cracks then you will be out the cost of that work and have to start all over again

I do not now how fat your wallet is. If you have a big enough one I would get the pool fixed so it can still be a plaster pool. Do not let the pool company pressure you into doing something without finding out what is best in the LONG run.

Do you think you can take a pic or three and share them here for us to see?

 

[sktn77a]

^^^^^^^ Wise words. Your pool maintenance company doesn't tell you what to do! If it's at all within your budget, get the structural crack fixed and the other cracks sealed and then replaster. If a replaster just isn't within the budget, get the shell repairs done and then look into a liner solution. The repairs + liner solution may end up being 25% cheaper than the repairs + replaster solution, but the end product won't be nearly as nice.

 

[ajw22]

Ask a bunch of questions of the company recommending a liner:

- references of plaster pools where they have put in a liner?
- how will the edges of the liner be hung and anchored to your coping?
- how will the liner be sealed around the skimmers?
- what warrantees will come with the liner installation from the pool company or liner company?

What is the shape of your pool? Stair, ledges, water features?

A good plaster job can last 15-20 years. A liner may last half that amount. So if you will be in the house for the long term repairing the plaster may be a better value. Get good quotes for both.

Cracks can be repaired using concrete staples...

 

[wireform]

One of my pools is fiberglass walled and concrete bottom. The homeowner was dumping money after money on drivers and various patching techniques to no avail. Water could drop 5 inches a night which is a waste of water and chemicals. I told the guy I can't control anything here and find another pool guy or follow my suggestion. 2 months later with nagging we had a custom liner made to order. Total bill which included adding one more return, cutting the deck for a new skimmer box and some small deck crack repairs with liner installation ,$4500. That's a steal of the century. Pool looks amazing, retains the water and ofcourse the chemicals now. Last year it was a new heater and this coming season it's a SWGC, RJ60+ which is purchased and waiting for the season to turn. One piece of advice is to get the paperwork with all the dimensional figures from the liner company and put away so when the time comes for a new liner it'll be easy to solicit pricing and have the perfect fit to go along.

 

[leanna251]

One of my pools is fiberglass walled and concrete bottom. The homeowner was dumping money after money on drivers and various patching techniques to no avail. Water could drop 5 inches a night which is a waste of water and chemicals. I told the guy I can't control anything here and find another pool guy or follow my suggestion. 2 months later with nagging we had a custom liner made to order. Total bill which included adding one more return, cutting the deck for a new skimmer box and some small deck crack repairs with liner installation ,$4500. That's a steal of the century. Pool looks amazing, retains the water and ofcourse the chemicals now. Last year it was a new heater and this coming season it's a SWGC, RJ60+ which is purchased and waiting for the season to turn. One piece of advice is to get the paperwork with all the dimensional figures from the liner company and put away so when the time comes for a new liner it'll be easy to solicit pricing and have the perfect fit to go along.

My pool company is saying they can’t redo the plaster because it will crack again and they can’t guarantee it. That’s why they want to install a liner. But...it could crack again even with a liner over it. What do you make of this?

 

[leanna251]

My pool company is saying they can’t redo the plaster because it will crack again and they can’t guarantee it. That’s why they want to install a liner. But...it could crack again even with a liner over it. What do you make of this?
And the quote for liner and labor alone was $7.000

 

[leanna251]

It is up to YOU what you want done. I will also say if one of the cracks is structural then you HAVE to fix it even if you put a liner in the pool. The liner could slip into the cracks then you will be out the cost of that work and have to start all over again

I do not now how fat your wallet is. If you have a big enough one I would get the pool fixed so it can still be a plaster pool. Do not let the pool company pressure you into doing something without finding out what is best in the LONG run.

Do you think you can take a pic or three and share them here for us to see?

 

[leanna251]

View attachment 125476

Yes, I agree. They said though that if they were to replaster the pool it will crack again and they can’t guarantee the work done. They are pushing hard for a liner. They’re the only pool company in my area

 

[kimkats]

Make sure to look at Allen's post 4 up above. It shows how a shell can be fixed. We have seen it done with great results before.

A liner will NOT fix the base problem of the creaked shell. That is the main thing you need to know and work with.

OH MY the only pool company?? OUCH! Even so I would NOT use them. When you say "pool company" do you mean "takes care of pools" or "repairs pools" or "builds pools? I would get on the internet and see if there are any pool stores in your area and start there looking for help.

We will help you all we can on this side of the screen. We will help you know what will work or not work from years of experience. Do not sign anything until you share it here so we can look it over.

Kim

 

[Dirk]

They are pushing hard for a liner. They’re the only pool company in my area

When I had my pool repaired, I used a company that was about 2.5 hours away (even though there were plenty of local companies). They regularly visit my town to do installations and repairs. If your guys are used to working without competition, then maybe they think they can say whatever they want, and charge whatever they want. So start making some calls to companies a town or two away, to see if you can acquire estimates, and/or alternate solutions, from companies that are willing to make the drive...

 

[ajw22]

Concrete crack repair is done in many other building areas. Concrete cracks are fairly common. There should be contractors in your area experienced doing concrete repairs with concrete staples. Use a specialized contractor to do the crack repairs and then a local pool plaster contractor to replaster.

Even if you hire a Pool Company they will subcontract the work to different people

 

[leanna251]

Make sure to look at Allen's post 4 up above. It shows how a shell can be fixed. We have seen it done with great results before.

A liner will NOT fix the base problem of the creaked shell. That is the main thing you need to know and work with.

OH MY the only pool company?? OUCH! Even so I would NOT use them. When you say "pool company" do you mean "takes care of pools" or "repairs pools" or "builds pools? I would get on the internet and see if there are any pool stores in your area and start there looking for help.

We will help you all we can on this side of the screen. We will help you know what will work or not work from years of experience. Do not sign anything until you share it here so we can look it over.

Kim

Thank you so much!!!

 

[Bama Rambler]

You should be able to find a few companies around Mobile. I'd ask around at a few of the pool stores for pool repair companies and I'd call and see if you can get another estimate or two, and see how they recommend repairing it. If that crack widens any at all, a liner will sink right into it and that will be another issue.

 

[Dirk]

I'm curious. How wide a crack are we talkin' about that would compromise a liner? An inch? Half inch? Quarter inch?

 

[kimkats]

@Dirk that is something to think about BUT we also need to think about if/when it gets wider....who knows how much is too much.

 

[Bama Rambler]

The liner probably wouldn't rip open, but with a ¼" crack it'll sink in enough to look really bad.

The installers may be able to fill the crack with some flexible material, but I'd want to know what that is before deciding to go that route.

 

[Dirk]

And since it's into the tile, we know it's the shell, right? I watched that concrete staple video. Amazing... It kinda took the scare out of a shell crack for me.

 

[leanna251]

Hé stopped by yesterday and tried to say it’s very common to put vinyl over concrete, due to concrete cracking. I asked him what about the concrete cracking under the vinyl. He said it wouldn’t matter because the vinyl would protect the cracks...
I have someone else coming from an hour away to look at it today

 

[kimkats]

And since it's into the tile, we know it's the shell, right?

Dirk that is a great question but I don't know for sure. Sure seems like it though. Gut says yes with nothing to back it up.

the vinyl would protect the cracks..

HOW???

Good job getting someone else to head that way! Keep us up on what THEY have to say!

Kim