Need Refurbish Hybrid Pool Help

[kimkats]

Not sure how I missed this one! Nice job so far! Thanks for writing it up and taking progress pics!

 

[SHOdiver]

The first fiberglass cloth and resin application was done yesterday. Note that all of the potential leak areas are now laminated and therefore leakproof indefinitely.

 

[SHOdiver]

1. Well, it depends on what's available and your budget. My first thought was the liner but I heard all sorts of excuses why they couldn't do this (most of them a combination of laziness and incompetence on the part of pool companies in my area). Then I wanted to fiberglass all over the interior surface but couldn't get a definitive answer from east coast - I think they were just too busy. So I eventually found someone to gunite the pool and went that way.
2. They just cut down about 12" and used the remaining 2' as a form.
3. just fill dirt
4. yes, just to stop overspray.
5. hard to tell without seeing them

If you can get the fiberglass option, that should be good for another 15 years. Just make sure they are meticulous with the prep. Please do post detailed follow-ups. There are hundreds (thousands?) of these hybrid nightmare pools out there and most people will be looking to renovate them by now.

Good luck!

Forgot to mention your very important prep point. Cleaning the surface was meticulous and, after inspecting the first lamination areas, I believe these slow-leak areas will never leak again. The steps are a hollow, fiberglass assembly, and while still sturdy, need help in the fillet areas where all the corners meet both the fiberglass walls and gunite floor. Again, a good clean job was done laminating the corners.
All of the tile is being glued to the first layer of fiberglass lamination, and the newer layers will be laid up around the tiles so that all tile surfaces will all be flush with the entire new pool bottom surface.
I hope all this documenting helps someone else as much as the 200 pages helped me to make a decision. sktn77a (Keith) is a star in my book, and we both know that dedication is the only way your pool rehab will be successful.
Without a good plan to rehab, I would have filled in the pool with dirt and created a pickleball court!
I understand the cost is prohibitive for some budgets, but my wife and I are in a position to afford this, and believe we will be happy we did the refurb when we finally go to resell the house.
Shodiver

 

[SHOdiver]

HIRED A PLUMBER
Forgot to mention - the day before the rehab started, the previously contacted Matt, at American Leak Detection, came to test and repair the plumbing system for the pool. There were no plumbing leaks, but Matt performed these revisions:
1. Added hydraulic cement around the hose-within-a-hose that went to the drain on the deep end. This line leaked for the previous owner, and was plugged off, but a hose was added inside the line for a future hook-up. Matt also put a collar around the inner hose in the pump house, and hooked the line up to the pump so that the floor drain is now functional.
2. Replaced the hydraulic valve in the deep end floor drain.

 

[SHOdiver]

White filler material is used (think proprietary 'bondo') to assure a smooth surface throughout the pool walls and floors, devoid of seams and sharp corners. The floor received an application of part 'A' (again proprietary) before the crew left for the day. It leaves a VERY strong odor, which is mitigated overnight with an excellent ceiling fan. I used the warm air from the house to feed the pool room gradually. Three windows were cracked open to replace the house air.

 

[kimkats]

You are going to love having this as a journal of your pool rehab! Thanks for sharing it with us and others that come along.

Good job using the fans and open windows to move that chemical smell OUT!

 

[SHOdiver]

An all-surface lay-up of fiberglass was completed last night before the crew left. It will set-up overnight so sanding can begin in the morning. Note that tiles on the steps appear as bumps. They are taped off so that when all layers are down, they will be flush with the new overall surface finish.
Side note: It's 2 below zero outside, a testament to the design and build quality of this 30 year old house.
Shodiver

 

[SHOdiver]

Interglass is applied. Finish is complete. Clean up begins tomorrow morning.
SHOdiver

 

[Newdude]

I regret that I have but one love icon to give there. Holy Smokes !!!!!

 

[SHOdiver]

This is my last post for the rehab. The top left photo in this array is the same shot as my avatar, before and after. This is likely the best fix for our hybrid pools in existence, but it is expensive, and I believe you get what you pay for. There were 4 highly skilled techs working 8-12 hours a day for eight days to accomplish this. I got the results I needed and wanted to maintain the value of my home. I'll check in from time to time to see if there are questions.
SHOdiver

 

[Newdude]

This is my last post for the rehab

Well done for SHO !!! If you can do me one little favor though...... once it’s full and spectacular, post a pic here.

How Clear is TFP Clear? Let's See (Pics Only Please).

How clear should my water be? A very common question. Here is mine on a calm morning where I could finally vacuum. Yes I know, I'm still manually vacuuming. It took me 7 years to finally get an SWG, I'm working on a robot. :) So now let's see your water clarity.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[ajw22]

I put a bullet point about this project with a link to this thread in...

Hybrid Pools - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[SHOdiver]

I'm sure they've worked on pools much worse than yours! You can ask them what happens if the old tile pulls off some of the fiberglass finish. I suspect they will just say nothing - they encounter this all the time and the new surface will be fine to tile on top of.

Keep an eye on it but I wouldn't worry too much.

You are correct, Keith. I did ask and they did say it was not a problem, they just fill it in to even out the surface for the new tile.
SHOdiver (Tom)

 

[SHOdiver]

Well done for SHO !!! If you can do me one little favor though...... once it’s full and spectacular, post a pic here.

How Clear is TFP Clear? Let's See (Pics Only Please).

How clear should my water be? A very common question. Here is mine on a calm morning where I could finally vacuum. Yes I know, I'm still manually vacuuming. It took me 7 years to finally get an SWG, I'm working on a robot. :) So now let's see your water clarity.

www.troublefreepool.com

Went South for the rest of the winter. Will fill it in May when we return.

 

[SHOdiver]

I didn't forget you guys. These are the fill pictures promised. Returned from the South and got the water truck which filled the pool with chlorinated city water. 5,000 gallon truck had 1,000 gallons left over with the third truck load. 1st and 2nd image show the fire hose filling on the deep end. White pool, blue water, still amazes me. Thanks again for all the support.
SHOdiver