DW and I are looking to buy a house that had an ingound pool which was filled in. We would like to have a pool put back into the same spot. what questions should I be asking to make sure this is doable within reason?
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Old masonry may look tough, but the wrong mortar can destroy it—here's how to choose the right mix for lasting repairs.
Featured Video
Highlights
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Fine Home Building
Follow
-
Fine Homebuilding
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial Now -
GBA Prime
Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
- Home Group
- Antique Trader
- Arts & Crafts Homes
- Bank Note Reporter
- Cabin Life
- Cuisine at Home
- Fine Gardening
- Fine Woodworking
- Green Building Advisor
- Garden Gate
- Horticulture
- Keep Craft Alive
- Log Home Living
- Military Trader/Vehicles
- Numismatic News
- Numismaster
- Old Cars Weekly
- Old House Journal
- Period Homes
- Popular Woodworking
- Script
- ShopNotes
- Sports Collectors Digest
- Threads
- Timber Home Living
- Traditional Building
- Woodsmith
- World Coin News
- Writer's Digest
Replies
I'm not a pool guy, but do have one, and managed the construction of it. I'm thinking you should find out the dimensions of the old pool - L , W & D and plan on building one that is at least that big. Pools are pretty much like footers in that you want to set them on solid (preferably unexcavated) ground. So, for example, if there was a 10' deep pool there and you want a 6' deep pool, it may not work out too well. Also, you may want to find out what type the old pool was and how it was filled in. If, for example, there is 20 tons of gunnite pushed down in the bottom of the hole, and then another 20 tons of old concrete pool deck, it will effect the cost of construction of the new pool. Just a few random thoughts.
I know less about pools than I do about space shuttles to the moon but, the company that I worked for had to fill in two pools at an apartment complex, we jackhammered I think about 30% of the bottom up and filled it in with dirt.
If they followed that then you are going to have a mess to clean up first!
I would first find out what kind of mess is there from the old pool... as has been suggested. The costs of digging out a mess can be rather costly.
Then, I would probably have some core samples drilled in the old pool's location. This will give you an idea of what is below. Just perhaps maybe... there was a reason the old pool was filled in. If you find out what is beneath the old pool... you may find something good... or you may find something that would be prohibitive of a pool being in that location (maybe the reason the old pool was fulled in). A little investment now may save a lot of $$ in the future if you buy the place.
I will also agree that the new pool will probably have to be bigger and deeper than the old pool was. I know I wouldn't want a pool built on top of (probably) uncompacted fill. If you cannot find out exactly how big and deep th pool was... maybe schedule a few more core samples along the perceived perimeter.
BTW.. I am not a pool guy either... just some semi-edumicated guesses.
Edited 8/15/2004 12:29 am ET by Rich from Columbus