Pool unused for many years - fix or remove?

[pool--noob]

I bought a house with an above-ground pool (pic below). I plan to sell it next year or the year after. It has not been used in a long time (like 10+ yrs), but as far as I can tell, it's in good shape, it's just that as you can see, the pool water is basically pond water. It didn't have a cover on it, so I removed all surface debris and just bought a cover. I don't even know if the filter pump works at the moment (I'm working on finding someone who knows about them as I don't want to turn it on and possibly do something wrong to mess it up).

As you can see, if I remove it, I'd have to have deck work done. So I'm wondering what to do:

1 - Get rid of it
2 - Replace it (given the deck thing)
3 - Try to "fix" it

Taking into account how much each would cost but also keeping in mind added value to the house might merit up-front costs to fix, your thoughts/experiences?

PS: I also read somewhere that the average above-ground pool typically lasts about 10-15 yrs, and this is nearing 20 FYI.

 

[Newdude]

Hey PN and Welcome !!!

I'm torn. For one, the liner is probably either real faded or stained, but liners are pretty cheap. But once you drain and pull the liner, you'll likely find rust like a 20 year old pool on borrowed time should have. At that point, it should be taken down due to you wanting the choice of when and how that happens. It won't choose a favorable time, and probably not a favorable direction either.

If you had to take it down, if the deck matches the 3 piece pool sides, you could do a railing left and right and have stairs in the middle




Or shorten the deck to be square.

 

[pool--noob]

Hi and thanks!

Most of what I've read said don't drain a pool unless you have to, and tbh I'd rather not, not to mention putting a new liner in. I would drain it a little below the skimmer to winterize though.

Re. the deck, frankly I'd want to do whatever is cheapest (but of course still looks good). If the cost is about the same, not sure if I'd want stairs or just to close it off.

 

[Newdude]

tbh I'd rather not, not to mention putting a new liner in. I would drain it a little below the skimmer to winterize though.

A covered 20 year old mystery pool will likely hurt your resale. It needs to be open and if the liner is hideous, it'll be something the prospective owners will want to budget for at your expense.

Your two choices IMO are to fix the pool, or get rid of the pool and fix the deck so it doesn't look like a pool belongs there. I wouldn't replace it knowing you're leaving.

 

[wireform]

If you need to get rid of the pool for age reasons I'd secure a fence to the shape of the deck. Selling it like that will give a new owner a chance to put the pool back without having to reinvent the deck.

 

[TinFoilHat]

I'm not clear on whether he's selling the pool in a year (no one will want it) or actually selling the house.

 

[pool--noob]

If you need to get rid of the pool for age reasons I'd secure a fence to the shape of the deck. Selling it like that will give a new owner a chance to put the pool back without having to reinvent the deck.

Nah. If I get rid of it, I'll adjust the deck accordingly. I doubt anyone buying a house wants to also incur the added cost of buying a pool.

FYI this is almost entirely about money (well about effort needed too if I DIY). Trying to assess most cost-effective solution taking into account fixing vs removing the pool, including value added for keeping it (or perhaps replacing it?) for overall house value. Also I have no interest in using it if I fix/replace it, so wondering about possible hassle of maintenance for a year or two.

 

[Bperry]

Nah. If I get rid of it, I'll adjust the deck accordingly. I doubt anyone buying a house wants to also incur the added cost of buying a pool.

FYI this is almost entirely about money (well about effort needed too if I DIY). Trying to assess most cost-effective solution taking into account fixing vs removing the pool, including value added for keeping it (or perhaps replacing it?) for overall house value. Also I have no interest in using it if I fix/replace it, so wondering about possible hassle of maintenance for a year or two.

If it’s about cost then take it down. Statistically speaking, theres little to no added resale value in house with a pool, especially a swamp. Getting it back to working condition won’t be free.

 

[pool--noob]

Well that's the thing, I'm wondering how much it would cost to get it back to respectability. Even if it works, I'm guessing the pump would need replaced, again we're talking 20 yr stuff here and the pump hasn't run or been touched in 10+ yrs. From what I'm reading, that's about $1000 right there?

 

[TinFoilHat]

I wouldn't put any money into it. The metal sides could be rusting, the pillars could be rusting, the pump is probably dead, etc, etc.

 

[Bperry]

Well that's the thing, I'm wondering how much it would cost to get it back to respectability. Even if it works, I'm guessing the pump would need replaced, again we're talking 20 yr stuff here and the pump hasn't run or been touched in 10+ yrs. From what I'm reading, that's about $1000 right there?

X2 above.

Honestly what’s there is probably trash. If you want a pool, just get another of the same size or disassemble the one you have and get rid of it.

 

[wireform]

You probably need to inspect the pool really well to be sure it's strong enough to just simply hold water let alone reviving it. When that let's go it ain't pretty.

 

[pool--noob]

Sorry not following-? It's holding water now and well as far as I can tell.

I guess what I really need is an assessment of is the filter pump still viable, etc. It sounds like there's no way to tell if the pool itself is sound without draining/inspecting it, and again from what I've read, draining a pool itself can be bad for it.

 

[Mdragger88]

Draining an above ground pool & leaving it that way is bad.
Why?
because the liner shrinks and old liners don’t stretch back into place once you refill. This can cause the walls to buckle.
If you’re replacing the liner post haste or taking down the pool its not a problem.
It is also not advisable to drain a buried above ground pool below the ground level as you risk collapse.

To get a better idea of the shape your actual pool structure is in take some pics of the wall around the skimmer area and the base of the pool (if theres grass growing up against it pull that away).
If you see rust on the outside its very likely there’s more on the inside.
A partial drain & refill (water exchange) + a long SLAM Process can restore the water. But it will cost $ for liquid chlorine.
You will also obviously need a working filter & pump for this.
If you wish to investigate this restoration path you need to determine if the plumbing/equipment is winterized already. If it is then un winterize it & see if the equipment is operable.
Pics of the equipment would help.
The first clue would be the presence or absence of drain plugs in the filter and pump.
Also the returns & skimmer may be plugged.

*Even well taken care of above ground pools don’t increase sale value & Having a swamp in the backyard is definitely a detractor. Either one = higher insurance rates.
If you don’t intend to use the pool I wouldn’t spend on it & instead remove it.
That may come at a cost as well but it won’t be ongoing.

 

[Newdude]

It's holding water now and well as far as I can tell.

You can't see the rust on the inside wall and bottom rails until the liner is cut out. You can kinda see from the outside but the inside story may be alot different.

At best, it's nearing end of life. It very could be still standing by miracle only and it lets go tomorrow.

 

[pool--noob]

In news that may interest only me, an update which may help make my decision for me: about a week ago I noticed the water level declining, which it hasn't done since I've been here and despite no cover on the pool. I'm guessing it's leaking somewhere, so I'm going to let it go and see what's what after it's "drained." oy. I fear getting rid of it will be the best option.

 

[Newdude]

about a week ago I noticed the water level declining, which it hasn't done since I've been here and despite no cover on the pool.

With dry weather and cool nights, you'll notice more evaporation. We got a light sprinkle the other night but besides that we haven't seen a drop of rain in probably 2 weeks by me (pretty close to you geographically). Its probably not a leak, although it's always a possibility.

 

[Mdragger88]

Do the bucket test to determine if its a leak or simply evaporation.
With cool nights & warm water evaporation ramps up.

 

[pool--noob]

In 10+ yrs, this has never happened...it's almost certainly a leak. I see no wet areas around the perimeter, so must be underneath. Waiting for it to totally drain to see what's what.

 

[kimkats]

I am in to watch and support. How close to the house is the this pool? If it is close I would rent or get a pump so you can control where the water is going. Don't want to risk a cascade of water towards your house.