What is the fix for this empty abandoned pool?

[crek31]

A house with a pool near us is for sale. I would consider buying it if the pool worked ... it does not, per the disclosure form, and per neighbors has not for many years. Nebraska, so true winters. It is empty now and presumably has been for years. Attaching some pix ....
1. what is the process to figure out if the plumbing to the pool works when there is no water in the pool?
2. I am assuming the cracks in the concrete are bad, but not sure if they necessarily mean leaks .... again, how is that determined if there is no water?
3. Assuming concrete cracks are major problems, what i the cheapest fix for the long-haul?
a. can we line it without really fixing the cracks other than maybe filling them?
b. can we concrete over it, or do a spray gunnite, etc over it for cheaper than whatever other fix there is to the actual pool?
c. if we wanted to keep it concrete would we need to remove what is there and start over in terms of the pool itself (ignoring for the moment the water system to the pool/from the pool)

My only experience with pools is above ground ... need some knowledgeable thoughts on the viability of this pool before I consider picking a fight with my husband to consider this purchase. Obviously we would not buy it til an on-site inspection can be done, but looking at it tonight so wanted a bit of a preview for how to fix a cracked concrete pool from you experts if you have a sec. TIA.

 

[crek31]

i have not read the replies yet, but will momentarily. i went over with realtor and got to get a little more info -- neighbor had said not a liner pool, but clearly is/was. new pix --

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

I don't claim to be an expert, but I would run, not walk, away from that potential purchase. I presume the sellers included a substantial discount for that poor old broken pool. But the amount of time, effort, and money you will spend restoring it could drive you crazy.

If you want a home with a pool, buy one with a working pool. Just my humble opinion.

 

[crek31]

okay, realtor let me in for some better pix. neighbor had said no liner ever, but clearly there was and I suspect was used with a liner then that family sold and to my knowledge pool has not been used in ten-ish years. not sure how long empty and/or no liner.

 

[Bperry]

okay, realtor let me in for some better pix. neighbor had said no liner ever, but clearly there was and I suspect was used with a liner then that family sold and to my knowledge pool has not been used in ten-ish years. not sure how long empty and/or no liner.

Looks like one of those hybrid pools with metal/fiberglass walls and concrete floor.

If you change it to a liner pool (or it already was), not sure what types of things need to be repaired or how much that cost. Would need to pressure test all the plumbing. Without a liner, every single crack would need to be repaired. You can’t convert it to a gunite pool because of the walls, unless you tear it all out and start from scratch minus a hole in the ground. Starting over puts in the high 5 figure range on cost.

 

[sktn77a]

Doesn't look good. Figure on replacing all the pool equipment, major repairs/renovation to the pool shell, new liner and new decking. Figure around $15,000 - $20,000 (if you can find someone to do it). Double this if you want to gunite inside the existing shell. And all this assumes the plumbing is undamaged (pressure testing should confirm this).
The home price needs to include a substantial discount ($30,000 - $50,000) to take this and your time and grief into consideration).

 

[crek31]

Thanks, all. I sure do want a pool. But not sure I want this pool.