Thursday, May 24, 2012

Restore an Old Inground Pool and Patio

Well as I write we have starting filling the Pool and our grandson Taylor and neighbours' son Romeo are already in and playing. 
This project has been a long time coming.

This is what the pool looked like last year when we came back to Texas after nearly 15 years of Renters. 
I was in total shock.




This was the only project we were going to do when we got back as we had a contractor for the house remodel. 
Well if you have been following the blog from the beginning you will remember that we fired the contractor and took on the whole project by ourselves. 
So the pool has pretty much been on hold for nearly a year.

We did however have the old pool cap and patio removed and had a new concrete cap poured and we all know how that turned out...a complete disaster thanks to Clarence the concrete contractor...


You can check out the project on the concrete in week 4 and 5 since I really don't want to go back to it since it really was money down the drain..


After the whole concrete fiasco back in June 2011 nothing was done again until March 2012 although we did have from time to time a few critters in and out of the pool.

Squirrels


Frogs


And then my all time favorite...Rocky the Raccoon




So on the 10th of March George and our Neighbour Jess started to empty all the nasty water out of the pool. 
George hired a sump pump to get the job done as quick as possible.



 He power washed the sides as the pool is emptied




Getting close to having all the water out




There was no way I could have done this...I would have landed on my face...lol


This is a close up of the debris at the bottom of the pool...yuck


The smell was awful as you can see by Jess's reaction

But they ploughed on and filled up bags with the swamp waste 

I truly was half expecting to find someone or something dead at the bottom of that pool.
I can only guess that you get use to the aweful smell after a while.

Another blast with the power washer







Then it was onto removing the old tile



At some point one of our Renters used House paint to paint the pool so George had to sandblast the walls to remove it...They probably thought they were doing us a favor but can we say stupid..




A few days later George ground down all the excess concrete that was left on the side and rim of pool..that took another two days.




Now time to fix another of Clarence the concrete guys boo boos
We wanted a drain put in but Clarence told us he would make sure that rain water would not pool on the patio....WRONG...it did

George hired a concrete cutter and him and Jess start the process of cutting out a drain..



George and Jess worked so hard to remove this concrete


This concrete section weighed a ton but George and Jess made it look so easy


George filled in any chips that he had made during the grinding process and smoothed the surface with new pool plaster



Then Painted the top rim with pool paint

Then it was my turn to step up to the plate and install the tiles in the blazing sun


It took two days to install the tiles, then we had to grout.




Now under normal circumstances I would have done the grouting by myself but this time we were using an epoxy waterproof grout and it was going to take the two of us.
One to grout and the other to clean immediately behind the other.
As usual I was on the cleaning duty...go figure
The grout came in small pail with two compounds that you had to mix together.




George getting grout on his face instead of the pool wall.


George grouting

Jackie cleaning


George installed a sump pump at the end of the drain ditch

George and Jess laying out the pipes for the drain pump


It was now time to cover up that crappy looking concrete with wood decking



George and Jess started by laying out the frame

George and I staining the first set of boards..

I got smart and put a hat on...
George pushing the board inplace and me screwing it in..

We continued to lay boards.
George also continued to do framing

We gave up staining before we put the boards down so it was up to me to me to get the brush in hand and get busy after they were screwed in place




George put up flood lights so I could continue as it was late at night
 Nearly done for the night...


George installed a new switch fo the pool light and outside sockets.



Even though we were covering the concrete we still went ahead and sealed it.





 More boards down


 After we got all the boards installed around the pool, George made this gadget in order to draw a line around the edge of the pool.

 He then took a Jigsaw and cut it out to even out the edge of the boards
 Then took a router and made the edge of the pool deck smooth and rounded
 Onto installing the light with a new gasket and bulb
 We had some rain since the major clean out that Jess and George had done so he cleaned it out again and gave it another power wash while I stained the rest of the decking



 Stain complete around the pool


 Time to hand paint the top rim below the deck and below the tiles




 Then George moved in with the roller
 Nearly done



George giving it a second coat


Good god will we ever be done
We now had to lay the rest of the deck under the pergola at the back door
 I had to seal the concrete
 Then we put down the board straps
 This was a two day job




Last load of wood...yipee

We are nearly there


George holding the last board to complete the deck
 and it is in...


Now I still have to stain the other half  of the deck but since my grandson is visiting, George went ahead and started filling up the pool.
It took two days and as you can see Taylor and Romeo were already in it before it was completly full




George bought Taylor a remote control boat..
well if you ask me, he atually bought it for himself to play with 



Taylor found out you have to clean the pool in order to play in it...lol 



 Getting to enjoy after cleaning




It is finally done...Hooray

 The Palm Trees remind me of my time in Hawaii..


What I have Learned

This was a long project...No doubt about it
If Jess our Neighbour had not helped I don't think I would have got past the cleaning out of the pool...PHEW
That I was lacking in faith when my husband suggested covering the concrete in wood decking...
I love having a Pool in this Texas Heat
So..A great big Mahalo (THANK YOU) to Jesse our neighbour for all of her help and hard work on this project
and
To my Husband, sorry for not having enough faith in your idea from the begining..
You Rock
Athough the final design of the deck was my idea...just saying

Until next time
As always feel free to share this Blog on your Facebook or with friends, post comments, become a Follower by hitting the follow button or ask a question...
Jackie D



32 comments:

Cathy Newman said...

I can see that you guys really exerted a lot of hard work and dedication in restoring this old inground pool. Wow! It’s just amazing! It’s good to see that the kids enjoying their swim. After all, they still put in their own efforts in order for this pool remodeling project to become a success.

The OutPost said...

Thanks Cathy
We are enjoying the fruits of our labor

Unknown said...

Hi from Kilmore Australia, we love what you have done with your pool, but have a few questions. Firstly, Where you have routered the edge of the pool, have you had any problems with it splitting or splintering? Also the draining under the decking, does the water get trapped between the wooden joists (or bearers)?
We have a similar plan for around our pool going over existing concrete that has dated and now looks terrible.
Thanks Jack and Maria

The OutPost said...

@jack white we have had no problems with splitting. The deck is very stable and solid. We avoided any drainage problems by mounting the deck boards on furring strips (1 by 2 inch by 8 feet treated lumber). We mounted these directly to the concrete with special concrete screws (1 1/2 inch long). This provided a solid base as well as enough space for run off of rain. If you send us an email address we can send some pictures of the whole process. We kept a photographic log of this job.

Alvin Payne said...

Wow! that pool looks completely renovated and so fancy. Thanks for showing the progress you made. I'm glad i could look at this blog to take inspiration for pool remodeling washington. Keep posting and let me know if you have any tips on what you did to redo the pool. Thanks.

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Julio Wells said...

I’m so much pleased to see this promising area finally being restored! :] It is a big space and there’s so much you can do in it. I give my approval to the wooden deck. I believe it is the safest material to use on a water-prone area. Just do not forget to clean it regularly to prevent mosses dwelling in it. :D

Patios said...

It’s beautiful, especially the deck, well done, all you have to do there is to set the furniture, your efforts are worthy, look at the kids they are so happy.

Unknown said...

Whoa! That is one huge transformation! And the best part about it is that you guys did all the work by yourselves. Great teamwork! I’m guessing you guys are working together on cleaning it too? :P You know, my friends had their pool remodeled months ago. They asked for the help of a known pool cleaning company in Palm Beach and in all fairness, the transformation was astounding too. The pool service in Palm Beach is without a doubt, exceptional. My friends are now loyal clients of the company. They’re having their pools cleaned every once in a while to maintain their pools attractive appearance. :D Anyway, This is really enormous! I hope this amazingly transformed pool is still in its good state. Ciao!

Quennie

Unknown said...

Pool remodeling is really a great way to construct your old pool beautifully. It makes your indoor and outdoor charm-full. I really liked the pool pictures after remodeling the pool and pool-side areas. Great work. More over Plastic swimming pools are very notable these days. These pools are the center of attraction for children.There are many companies which makes plastic pools and offers Pool Remodeling services as well.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Unknown said...

Nice post, Images are very clear.Great post however , I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this subject? I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit further. Bless you!

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Unknown said...

The final outcome looks spectacular. If I haven't seen the before and after pictures I wouldn't have believed how awful it used to look. We also have a house in Arizona being rented out, it also have a pool. To make sure that the Pool Maintenance will never be neglected, we opt to schedule a Trice a year visit from our trusted Phoenix Pool Maintenance Company. I don’t think the new tenants would have the initiative to hire Profession Pool Cleaners unless we’ve done it ourselves.

Unknown said...

How much would it cost to have your pool renovated? I would like to have my pool done if it doesn't cost too much. If it does cost too much I would have to save for it to be done maybe next year.

Alena | http://www.northshorepool.com/renovations.htm

Unknown said...

This looks amazing! Pools can either be let go or they can be the best thing about your house. Fixing them up is so worth it.

Anita Mas | http://www.gilbert-pool-service-repair.com

Unknown said...

Wow, you guys really did a great job. I used to work at a public pool, and I know how hard it can be to clean out, and keep up with all of the maintenance. I would love to put a pool like this in my own back yard. My kids would love it. http://www.pooldoctorfla.com/renovation/

Unknown said...

I just bought a home with an old concrete surface. The pool looks in pretty rough shape. I am wondering if it is feasible to get the pool re-surfaced differently than concrete?

bryanflake1984| http://www.cvilleaquatics.com/pools_renovations.htm

Unknown said...

This is a great and informative site. Really well written and precise.
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Unknown said...

Great post. Keep up the good job.

Pool Remodeling

Unknown said...

The pool service in Palm Beach is without a doubt, exceptional. My friends are now loyal clients of the company. They’re having their pools cleaned every once in a while to maintain their pools attractive appearance. :D Anyway, This is really enormous! I hope this amazingly transformed pool is still in its good state. Ciao!

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Rose Maria said...

My uncle last opened his inground pool 5 years ago. He wants to reopen it and have it repaired. the water is murky and seems like the lining has collapsed. does any one have an idea how much would it cost?
Pool restoration

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Dave Perkins said...

would have cost far less time and money to fill it in,plant a garden and join a community pool or take a trip to a beach for a month.

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