Repair or Fill in IG Pool with torn liner

Howdy folks,

Our pool has been covered since September. (18 x 36, in ground, vinyl, basic rectangle. We live in Maine.) I noticed the water level dropping, so I stuck the hose in to bring the water level up. Instead, the water level never came up, and I found water in our basement. I lifted off the cover to find a four foot long tear on the floor of the shallow end.

The liner is probably 10 years old. The pool itself is 24 years old. Both have been showing wear.

The estimates to replace the liner have come in at 2000-3000. It's a sand bottom, and some have suggested putting in some sort of solid base. Otherwise, there's a cost involved in screeding the sand bottom.

My question is: should I replace the liner? Repair it and cross my fingers that the liner as a whole lasts another season or two? Or should I fill it in with gravel and loam and start a garden?

I'd be inclined to the last option. My wife is inclined to repair it. But I can't help but think that it's wasted money to repair it. If we're going to keep it, I'd think the only option would be to bite the bullet and replace the liner.

Any thoughts?
Thanks.

Many thoughts, some even relevant to your pool ;)

The question is "how much will it cost to repair the pool v.s how much you use/ want the pool (excluding the cost of filling in the pool)?" (cost, in this case, includes $ as well as your time and physical labor)

I can tell you what's actually involved in 'rehabbing' a liner pool. I can probably tell you how to do it yourself, or at least how I would do things.

I don't know how bad the pool is. I can't tell you how much materials would cost you in Maine. I also don't know how reliable/ competent the locals are.

Sometimes, when you go to do a project like this, you find that the damage is greater than you thought - like, the walls are also about to fail.

This is a tough economy, why not give a couple of pool companies a call and see what they say about how extensive the damage is and what they recommend needs repairing.

I'd have them give 2 quotes:

1) Bare minimum to swim this season

2) Best way to insure the pool will be usable for another 10 years



It's your choice! I prefer to see pools fixed and used, rather than filled in :cool:

Jazz,
I'm in Northeast PA and going to be faced with the same situaation maybe late this season. Liner almost 13 years old and pool over 30. The liner is starting to pull out of the channel and the channel where the bead goes in is falling apart from age. Plastic of some sort. Winters here are harsh too but not quite as bad as yours. Plan is to pull the old liner, inspect the galvanized steel walls and everything else that is exposed. I can peek under the decking and check the steel support members too. If all looks like it will last another 10 years, replace liner. Should be easy. Measurements are already on file, liner was made locally, and the company that did it in 97 is still around. If I decide to replace the liner I'll get some major concrete deck work done too. Otherwise, fill it in.
Al

Of course, the ultimate question is:
Do you plan on using your pool, and how much? Maine summers are fairly short. But are they long enough for you?

An unused pool is a continual waste of money. But a well-used pool is a joy.

We will be faced with the same thing soon. We have owned this house for six years. The pool is about 30 years old and relined in 1999. The liner still feels good but it has pulled out in two spots and despite this forums help, I can't get it back in. I can feel severe rust in several spots along the wall. The pebble stone deck needs re-coating. The solar collector mats on the roof are getting old and someday will need replacing. I have made the decision that as soon as major maintenance is needed, I will rent a jackhammer, dump the concrete into the deep end and fill in most of the rest. I plan on making a fish pond and take advantage of some of the plumbing and pumps. I am the only one using the pool now and I'm almost looking forward to the reinvention of the back yard. Not to mention that in NW Oregon, it will be much easier to find a buyer for a house without a pool when that day comes.