Multiple Repair issues

[dep78737]

Getting it cleaned up and in good mechanical order will help your sale, but I don't like the idea of paint on the deck or in the pool. It will fail in a fairly short time compared to proper resurfacing/replastering and may make future repairs more costly. If you don't want the cash outlay for these expensive repairs (very understandable), I cannot say if a coat of paint would help your pending sale compared to leaving as-is and pricing repairs into the contract. Personally, I would see it as putting lipstick on a pig and make me worry about other hidden problems, even though your intentions are good. Maybe a real estate pro familiar with the market can help with the cost/payback decision.

[Roninwpb]

I am thinking that it would be the best to just clean and go. Problem is, that i would like to fill in any voids under the deck for stability. If possible without tearing the deck out. That being said, I am assuming that there are holes that need to be made and then covered. Which will leave more patch jobs visible. Does anyone know of a way to backfill in a slab?I'm thinking that if backfilled, I could seal the cracks and have the deck resurfaced. Someone suggested resurfacing, which sounds like a plan to consider. The pool surface is recently ( 4 years ago ) resurfaced with DiamonBrite, So it is in pretty good shape. (meaning I am not redoing it) That just leaves the deck and associated problems, which everyone has been very, very helpful with. A friend suggested re-attaching the setp with 3 stainless steel rods for strength and a good epoxy/concrete. Of course, I would have to drill holes for said rods in the step and pool wall to a point for support. Is this a consideration or should I just bite the bullet and get a contractor to reform the step ( which seems to be the other best option I have seen ). This has been quite an education in itself. I appreciate all the help!

[SeanB.]

This is jmo, but I wouldn't even consider buying a house with a pool that needed that much work. I'd be afraid that it could turn into a real money pit. An allowance for something like that isn't enough assurance because there are too many potential problems that could be unseen. If cash is an issue, I'd look into a home equity loan to do a proper, complete repair and then sell. You'll sell faster, and for a better price. Best of luck either way.

[tenax]

agree with seanb..unless the selling price of the house is drastically under other "comparables" in the neighborhood, as a buyer, it becomes a risky proposition..when buying houses, we know there are going to be unforeseen expenses..the total unknowns can easily make buyers walk away. at the very least, get a quote to get the job done properly (or a couple of possible) that potential buyers can take a copy of if you are not going to fix. at least they have some comfort level. when i bought my house, it was 16K under a comparable..reason was that it was going to need a new roof and some slabjacking on the garage floor in the near future. the i ended up being able to comfortably calculate things out and buy the house without issue.

[Roninwpb]

After re-reading the last 2 posts I need to ask a few more questions. I think it has been established that there may be a void under the deck. Which may or may not be near the pool. ( under the deck, but not next to the pool ) If I were to sell the house as it is right now, I would disclose the fact of the deck to the buyers. Is something like this considered to be a Major problem which would have me sell the house at way below market value? I did some research and found foundation repair resources that would take care of the problem. That along with the "Deck jacking" solution i have seen in the forum today. The pool is not leaking, working just fine, and is good shape. Now,Today...I would not consider that part of a total pool repair. Disclaimer: I'm not an engineer. I will be calling the foundation guys here in Florida and probably an engineer to make sure this isn't a giant hole just waiting to become a sinkhole. Sorry, I understand it's a problem, but can be repaired and have no problems. IMO that is ("diclaimer applies"). Does anyone know of a good Foundation company in South Florida that they could recommend? And an engineering firm or engineer?
Thanks!

[Sully]

OK, I am going to throw another angle into the picture....the areas on the deck where its cracking. If you walk on these sections, does it sound hollow? I have a neighbor that had to have her deck ripped out and replaced due to the rebar corroding. I thought the contractor was pulling a scam, until my BIL told me that it was quite possible.

[Roninwpb]

Not to sound really ignorant, but do you mean the rebar in the concrete of the deck? This is becoming more and more interesting.........

[Sully]

Yes, the rebar in the deck.

[Roninwpb]

I'm sorry, I didn't think that was possible for rebar being inside sealed (no oxygen) concrete to fail. But rust is rust, and not Ever being in the concrete working industry, I guess it could happen. Did you happen to see the concrete in question when they tore it up? I am going out to check it tomorrow morning and see if it's hollow sounding. Thanks for the tip.

[tenax]

i think if you intend to leave, get the quotes...if i were going to look at buying your house, that's what i would do, which also potentially slows down the sales process..lack of info is likely to lead to lowballing..while slab and mudjacking are great options to fill voids..make sure you ask the right questions including if they can guarantee that it won't cause heaving in other areas of the deck..when i had my garage pad and section in front of garage done, both contractors i had give quotes told me it is an imperfect science and can potentially cause over correction of the pad (higher in an area for example) that being said, one was confident enough with his experience that he guaranteed he would take out and re-pour a pad section if it over corrected..the other would not. my results of the slab jacking were that it was much better..but not "perfect" in terms of the level of the pad. (in short, i wouldn't put a level on it and expect it was perfect) you can see it is not perfect, but given i had a 1 inch to 4 inch drop and basically it now goes from perfect to 1 inch out, i can live with it..but, it's a garage floor, not a pool deck if it were me and i was getting slabjacking done and selling the house, the amount "out" i indicated would be good enough for me..and i would have a copy of the slabjacking bill to prove the work had been done to fill the void to the best ability..beyond that, if not good enough for the new homeowner, i'd let them deal with it