Hi all,

I'm completely new to pools so I'm really glad I found this site!

Here's my situation:

My wife and I bought a 1950's house almost three years ago and it has a 15' x 25' 15,000 gallon rectangle pool which has been empty since day 1. We believe the pool is from the same time period as some of the houses in the neighborhood have a similar (if not identical) pool design.

Since we purchased the house we've been working on the inside but now I'm almost done and would like to tackle the pool as one of the first outside projects. We're tired of seeing it empty and would love to start enjoying it. I've had a few companies come out and quote us what they recommend and here are the four options I've received:

1. Get pool up and running - cost about $1,000-2,000.

2. Replace the entire plumbing system, install new skimmer type, and move existing pump and filter to side of house - cost about $2,000-3,000.

3. Renovate pool (#2 plus resurfacing, new pool pump and filter, and adding a swim out bench) - cost about $10,000-15,000.

4. Partially demolish existing pool and build new one further from house - cost about $25,000-30,000.

A new pool sounds the best since I would love to have something new and our current pool is a bit close to the house (10' from sliding glass door to the edge of the pool). However, we are on a budget so while a new pool a few feet away from the house is ideal, I just can't justify spending that much.

Simply fixing the pool to get it up and running would work but the pool floor has been delaminating badly and it's been painted poorly (half the paint is chipped off). It also has the older style skimmer (lily pad), just one main drain, galvanized plumbing.

The renovation would best as it would include moving the pool and filter to the side of the house, replacing the galvanized plumbing for 2" PVC, adding an additional return (for a total of three instead of two), adding a vacuum line, adding a swim out bench on the deep end of the pool (the entire width), replacing lily pad skimmer with new style, sandblasting surface and finishing with diamondbrite, installing light niche, and waterline tile. However, at $10,000+ it's still more than I wanted comfortably spend. I was hoping more for a $5,000 solution unless I keep saving until I can afford to fully renovate the pool.

A good compromise is to replace the mechanical portion (#2 above) and get the pool 100% functional and worry about the refinishing and adding the bench at a later point.

What would you guys do in my position?

Also, most companies suggested eliminating the main drain but I'm thinking it's not a bad idea to at least keep the existing main drain. Would eliminating the main drain and adding two deep water outlets be a good idea?

Any help is TRULY appreciated! Many thanks!


-Tony