Vinyl Liner Pool Rebuild - Conflicting Builder Recommendations

[Columbusonian]

Hi All,

First off, the TFP community is amazing. I bought my 1975 house 5 years ago with an inground vinyl liner pool. Previous owners wouldn't open the pool until last minute, it was a swamp and none of the equipment worked - TFP taught me everything, I've rebuit the equipment pad and managed it successfuly for the past 5 years.

The issue: Over the winter the pool walls caved in, the pool was built of CMU, 2x4s and plywood...so it is time to rebuild. In talking to builders I am getting mixed answers on what I think are a few key issues.

1. Flex PVC vs Rigid PVC. I am in Central Ohio and each builder swears by the other. I've read termite and connection issues with flex but I am worried about the freeze thaw cycle cracking rigid. Thoughts?

2. How to fill in the pool before building new. We want to raise deep end from 8' to 6' and extend shallow end (family pool, no diving). Do I need to fill hole back in with soil, compact, then redig or can I used gravel to fill in pool then rebuild? Can I leave the vermiculite base?

3. APC or Coverstar? Some say they are the same, some swear by APC.

Any other lessons learned/recommendations?

FWIW prices are coming in around $100K for 16x36 vinyl liner pool.

Thank you for reading and photos are attached.

Andrew

 

[Bperry]

Hi All,

First off, the TFP community is amazing. I bought my 1975 house 5 years ago with an inground vinyl liner pool. Previous owners wouldn't open the pool until last minute, it was a swamp and none of the equipment worked - TFP taught me everything, I've rebuit the equipment pad and managed it successfuly for the past 5 years.

The issue: Over the winter the pool walls caved in, the pool was built of CMU, 2x4s and plywood...so it is time to rebuild. In talking to builders I am getting mixed answers on what I think are a few key issues.

1. Flex PVC vs Rigid PVC. I am in Central Ohio and each builder swears by the other. I've read termite and connection issues with flex but I am worried about the freeze thaw cycle cracking rigid. Thoughts?

2. How to fill in the pool before building new. We want to raise deep end from 8' to 6' and extend shallow end (family pool, no diving). Do I need to fill hole back in with soil, compact, then redig or can I used gravel to fill in pool then rebuild? Can I leave the vermiculite base?

3. APC or Coverstar? Some say they are the same, some swear by APC.

Any other lessons learned/recommendations?

FWIW prices are coming in around $100K for 16x36 vinyl liner pool.

Thank you for reading and photos are attached.

Andrew

Do a search around the site for flex pipe issues and youll find a decent amount. The whole country uses rigid PVC in very cold climates. If its buried below the frost line its fine, and anyone with a pool (flex pipe or not) needs to winterize the pool lines anyway.

Never use flex underground.

 

[Columbusonian]

Do a search around the site for flex pipe issues and youll find a decent amount. The whole country uses rigid PVC in very cold climates. If its buried below the frost line its fine, and anyone with a pool (flex pipe or not) needs to winterize the pool lines anyway.

Never use flex underground.

Thank you for your response. Any other key recommendations?

 

[PoolStored]

Hate to say it...but, Go Blue!

Rivalry aside, I'm north of you. Go PVC!!! No issues with freezing if you winterize properly and you have WAY less headaches.

I am no help on the fill, or the autocover. Personally, looked into the auto cover on a retrofit, about the same size pool and deck, decided it was too much hassle for the benefit.

I would recommend installing a salt water chlorine generator.

When you get quotes, post them up, you will get lots of really good feedback.

 

[sodfather]

Go flex with the thawing and movement. Most people I know here with rigid get leaks at the elbows with ground movement. With flex there are significantly less elbow joints and minimal connection points. Never heard of anyone having termite issues this way. To each there own I guess.

 

[ajw22]

Go solid PVC. Solid does not leak if joints are properly solvent welded.

Flex can give you these type of problems….

 

[sktn77a]

Yet another vote for solid. If the ground freezes in the winter, you need to winterize the pool and blow out the pipes anyway.