Questions: Ripping out current pool and replacing with a new one

[tampatommy]

Like the title says, our backyard currently has a small kidney shaped pool which is in poor health and a complete eye sore for the back yard and the deck.

In January of 2019, we will be starting construction on a new pool. I will try and post some pictures of the pool design that we will be picking as well as the current concrete hole/puddle.

Has anybody replaced a pool before? How did the demolition of the old pool and layout of the new pool work out? Was it hard to put forms and dig a new (bigger) pool when there is already a giant hole in the ground?

We are going to have to completely remove the pool deck and patio up to the house since the slab was poured incorrectly. The slab of the house is the same plane as the patio. There is no lip between the sliding glass doors and the patio, so we are going to drop the level of the pool and patio down a few inches for when the travertine patio and decking gets installed.

 

[tampatommy]

Not the best pictures but it’ll give you an idea of the size of the current patio and pool and the design of the new pool. The dimensions of the new pool deck will be almost identical to what it is now.

 

[tampatommy]

Sorry. Trying to attach pictures to this site is a complete nighmare.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

I'm sorry you're finding it so difficult to upload your pics. Please don't stop though! We love pics!!
I like to suggest using TinyPic - Free Image Hosting, Photo Sharing Video Hosting to upload pics. Others use Imgur, and just like tinypic all you need to do then is copy and paste the link the program provides once you upload your pic. Another suggestion is to become a TFP supporter and the file space you are allowed is larger.

My question about this undertaking is- will you still be able to keep the birdcage up or put it back up when the new pool goes in? Will it come down during pool demo? I love those birdcages and I've only seen them in FL. Great ideas but I know they cost a bunch.

Keep us posted!

Maddie

 

[kimkats]

I have not done anything like that but can only imagine the mess it is going to make. Like Maddie I worry about the bird cage. You KNOW someone is going to mess it up some how What provisions will you make to keep it from getting ruined? The dust in the screen alone will be hard to deal with.

Kim

 

[BMK]

We are currently in the process of replacing a small pool with a much bigger one ( I'm woefully behind in posting a construction thread w/ pictures). Your situation is different than ours, as our existing was about 45' out from the house, no birdcage. In our case, it appears they treated demolition of the existing pool and the new build quite separately. They did not incorporate one into the other. The first thing they did was demoed the existing pool (steel walls, concrete floors, vinyl liner, auto cover), surrounding stamped concrete deck, and all plumbing and electric. By the time I got home from work on day 3, you would never know there was ever a pool back there. There was no hole in the ground, the area was level with the rest of the yard. A new, blank canvas if you will. It was then that they outlined and staked out the new pool for our final approval before digging.

I would say there is about a 70% overlap of the old pool's location into the location of the new one...mostly where the tanning ledge will be.

 

[PoolguyinCT]

You are on the right track, absolutely go bigger & utilize as much undisturbed real estate as possible, particularly for the verticals.

For a shotcrete replacement, soul testing is a must. The original pool may have faired well, but you may find the home builders “trash pit”

 

[tampatommy]

Ok ill re-host some pics elsewhere.

Ah! Much easier!!
Standby for more

The plans have the basic footprint of the pool. Things like lights and skimmers are going to change. There will be a raised sun shelf, basically a 12" deep spa with a spillover for the little ones and we really do not want a spa.

Footprint of the pool is 32' x 24

 

[tampatommy]

Everything back there currently will be going away, including the screen enclosure. It will be replaced by one in the same design, but newer and not so poorly constructed. The super gutter that is between the fascia board and screen enclosure is too small and was not installed correctly, so no sense in trying to piece it together.

Since demo of the current back yard is going to eat up a good portion of my budget, i was hoping that they would not have to bring in truckloads of dirt to fill the hole, just to dig it back out again when they dig the new pool. Guess there is no way around that.

Here is the current site survey. We are trying to keep the existing pool deck footprint for new pool, but we have room to go out if needed.

 

[needsajet]

You have a water chemistry problem there, which is cheap as chips to fix. Any consideration for making the existing pool and patio all that it can be? I noticed in your original post that the pool being in poor health and an eyesore is among your concerns. Depending on your needs, making the pool sparkle, refinishing the deck, and then maybe a flash seating area and outdoor kitchen/bar might make a big difference.

On the other hand, I like your new design. Decisions, decisions!

 

[tampatommy]

In speaking with a few contractors, in order to even add a sunshelf they said it would be a complete pain to cut the deck and plumb everything. The pool shell is already pulled away from the deck. Like everything in this house, i dont want to half-[butt] it. We've basically started from scratch with every design change we have done. Not to mention, the pool deck is improperly sloped toward the house, so we end up with water pooling by the slider. Just isnt worth it to spend a small fortune to fix a few problems when we have the opportunity to outright fix it and make it perfect. It will be costly, but our son is just shy of 6 months old, so there will be plenty of use and pool parties in the future.

As far as water chemistry, yea, its disgusting because I have literally not brushed it or cleaned the filter in months, so that is my own fault, mostly because I really dont care about it.

We spoke to a builder today with the dig crew. Older gentleman, said do not worry about filling the hole in. He can frame it out and then make adjustments with the existing hole in place. At least we wont have to bring truck loads of dirt in to dig it back out!

 

[b_veselka]

Very exciting! I love your new design.

 

[kimkats]

Out with is all!!!! I love it! Do and do it RIGHT!

Okay......lets start planning.........

-lights-you have five lights drawn in your plans but only 3 listed in the price sheet......what is what?

-lights-do you really want to have the lights right on the benches? I would worry about people knocking them when sitting on the bench. I don't know how warm/hot they get either. I would put the lights on the side of the benches instead. That way they will not right in the eyes of anyone look from the spa to the house or the house to the spa/benches.

-returns-how many and where?

-size of pool as in how deep?

-Pump-get model number please

-equipment-what filter do you have now? What is the plumbing like now? What kind of valves?

That will get us started LOL

Kim

 

[tampatommy]

I’ll head out tomorrow and show you the current Mickey Mouse equipment setup.

I have not gonr over the exact number of returns but in my head I’m thinking one in the kiddie pool, and maybe 6 in the pool. The end of the month we will be going over the design with a more fine tooth comb, make sure plumbing and design and electrical are all adjusted as well as skimmer(s) location.

Will be going with a 3hp variable speed pump, and , DE filter.

As for the lights, I now realize they should be on the opposite pool wall also.

Depth will be 3.5’ in shallow end and 5.5 or 6.5’ in the deep end. LED bubblers are a must as well. We plan on using the screenlogic as well, along with a salt cell.