Rehabbing an older pool

[kokot]

I have a project on my hands. It’s an in-ground pool and that’s about 40 years old. I have no records of any repairs, improvements, etc. It was filled with water but unused for the past 15 years or so. It held water and we drained it was it was green with leaves accumulated over the years. Now, while the surface looks smooth all around it appears there are spots that sound hollow when you tap on the surface. Some have hairline cracks. My initial plan was to reinstall some tiles, power wash it, prep and paint with acrylic pant that I have from other project.
Now, do I have to break up the hollow spots and repair them? If so, what would that entail? I’m going with post some pictures shortly. Thank you.

 

[kokot]

Video

 

[Bperry]

I have a project on my hands. It’s an in-ground pool and that’s about 40 years old. I have no records of any repairs, improvements, etc. It was filled with water but unused for the past 15 years or so. It held water and we drained it was it was green with leaves accumulated over the years. Now, while the surface looks smooth all around it appears there are spots that sound hollow when you tap on the surface. Some have hairline cracks. My initial plan was to reinstall some tiles, power wash it, prep and paint with acrylic pant that I have from other project.
Now, do I have to break up the hollow spots and repair them? If so, what would that entail? I’m going with post some pictures shortly. Thank you.

Welcome! Some things to consider…Hollow spots many times come from being without water. Anything that sounds hollow is actually hollow and will detach eventually. Water soaking into the underlying concrete structure will damage the structure over time and be an expensive repair.

The officially proper way is to chip out all the old plaster that’s delaminated and reapply new plaster.

Acrylic paint will not be a very long lasting surface. Many people have them fail after a very short time.

 

[PoolStored]

If the pool has not been replastered in over 15 years, it is time for a plaster replacement. Power washing will further degrade the plaster. Painted pools, particularly with an acrylic paint will be a nightmare.

 

[kimkats]

Me? I would save up your pennies and effort until you can chip out and replaster. I would NOT do ANY kind of paint. It has to be redone within a short amount of time. Until you redo it the paint will cause your water to be cloudy.

If it is holding water fill that bad boy up and enjoy it while it still a bit warm.

 

[kokot]

It sounds like I need to refrain from painting it. Since I’m not going to be using the pool as the house will be sold eventually I’m trying to discern what is the most economical way to put it back to commission. What kind of expense it is to get it replastered or to have the few hollow spots patched? Thank you.

 

[Bperry]

It sounds like I need to refrain from painting it. Since I’m not going to be using the pool as the house will be sold eventually I’m trying to discern what is the most economical way to put it back to commission. What kind of expense it is to get it replastered or to have the few hollow spots patched? Thank you.

Should budget $20k for that.