TiVo Community Forums Archives - Anybody know how to fill in a pool?

TiVoCommunity.com
(c)opyright 1995-2005 All rights reserved
indexcheckTC
This area is a static history of posts in the TiVo Community Forum Archive.
This archive history was made for the simple indexing of search sites like Google.

Pages:1

Anybody know how to fill in a pool?
(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)

Posted by: Bryanmc

My wife and I bought a house with a pool. We've lived there since October.

Now, before we've even used the pool, we've got to spend almost 3 grand in repairs.

So I'm seriously considering filling the stupid thing in.

Anyone know what this would cost or if there are certain legal guidelines you have to follow?

Otherwise I'd like to just buy a couple tons of dirt and start pouring.

Posted by: bareyb

My friend just bought a house and had the same idea. It's not as easy as it sounds. He hired a contractor to do it but OMG! you wouldn't believe how well made Pools are! Talk about your brick (you know what). It was fully reinforced with RE-BAR throughout and in both directions. It took two months to get enough of the cement out of the way in order to put a lawn in. It's a major ordeal I hate to say.

It might cost more to fill it in than to just get it fixed... That is unless you just want a big planter box. In that case you could probably just fill in the pool with dirt. Although come to think of it, you'd proabably have drainage problems if that's all you did... I have emailed him and asked him how much it finally cost to have it all removed and filled in. I will get back to you when he answers me.

Posted by: scooterboy

Leave it dry and open a neighborhood skateboarding/rollerblading rink?

In one of those old Cheech and Chong movies, they stretched a blue tarp across the top of the pool and had a pot-growing lab beneath it. Looked full of water from the police helicopters...

Posted by: jsmeeker

a hose???

ohh.. you don't want to fill it with water. The skate park idea sounds good, but if that happens, I forsee lawsuits in your future.

Posted by: Pan Chun

First, get that Georgia Crematorium guy to give you an estimate... :D

Posted by: Bryanmc

quote:
Originally posted by Pan Chun
First, get that Georgia Crematorium guy to give you an estimate... :D

If I didn't have the estimate to fix it right in front of me, I'd laugh at that.

bareyb, thanks for the info and if you hear something from your friend I'd appreciate the knowledge.

I think I'll probably just have to get everything repaired.

Aggghhh. It is a 20 year old pool so it's not like things like this are unexpected, but I'd have rather put my self in it before my money.

Posted by: Tasky

$3k is cheap for a pool. They are very expensive to have installed. I would have it repaired if I was you...

Posted by: genearch

Here's a starter:

http://www.blueskysearch.com/images/poolcar.jpg

Maybe Flogduh will donate a Volvo :D

Posted by: jradosh

http://www.kilk.com/pond/pondmain.html

http://members.aol.com/pooltopond/index.htm

Food for thought :)

J

Posted by: Bryanmc

quote:
Originally posted by Tasky
$3k is cheap for a pool. They are very expensive to have installed. I would have it repaired if I was you...

Yeah, I realize it could be much worse but I guess I can stop looking at HDTVs now. :(

Posted by: Tasky

quote:
Originally posted by Bryanmc

Yeah, I realize it could be much worse but I guess I can stop looking at HDTVs now. :(

I may just be biased, but I would kill to have a pool. I would give up a fancy TV for a pool any day...

How large is it? How deep? I have pool envy... I want a pool so bad. Get a wet suit, swim year 'round...

Posted by: Tasky

I didn't realize you were in texas, you can swim year round without a wetsuit...

Posted by: unoriginal

quote:
Originally posted by genearch
Here's a starter:

http://www.blueskysearch.com/images/poolcar.jpg

Maybe Flogduh will donate a Volvo :D

That reminds me of a funny story... Now that I think about it that story isn't funny, that story (memory) pisses me off. :mad:

Posted by: justapixel

Send it to me. I might be the only person in California with a half acre backyard and no pool. And, sunbathing by the pool with a good book is my passion in life....

Posted by: Bryanmc

quote:
Originally posted by Tasky
I didn't realize you were in texas, you can swim year round without a wetsuit...

Yeah, you'd think.

I was very excited when we bought the house in the middle of October thinking Id at least have a couple of weeks to use it.

Unfortunately we've had a pretty cold winter (for us) and no go on the pool yet.

Hurry up spring!!!

Posted by: Bryanmc

quote:
Originally posted by Tasky

I may just be biased, but I would kill to have a pool. I would give up a fancy TV for a pool any day...

How large is it? How deep? I have pool envy... I want a pool so bad. Get a wet suit, swim year 'round...

Tell you what, you split the repairs with me and you can come over anytime you want. :D

Do we have a deal?

Ann,

I can't send it to you but if you want to come get it and take it away, I'll gladly provide lunch. :D

Posted by: unoriginal

Sell it on ebay. There is sure to be a buyer there. :D

Posted by: Bryanmc

quote:
Originally posted by unoriginal
Sell it on ebay. There is sure to be a buyer there. :D

That's a flip-fargin' great idea.

I am totally going to list it. :D

Posted by: jradosh

Ya gotta go for the pond idea... :D

http://www.kilk.com/pond/behinds.jpg

Posted by: Tasky

quote:
Originally posted by Bryanmc

Tell you what, you split the repairs with me and you can come over anytime you want. :D

Do we have a deal?

Ann,

I can't send it to you but if you want to come get it and take it away, I'll gladly provide lunch. :D

If I lived near ya, I'd go for it...

As far as the repairs go, what part of it needs repair? The pool have cracks, does it leak, or the filtration system??

Posted by: Bryanmc

There are 4 trouble areas.

1. (Biggest) The filter needs replacing. About $1500
2. Leak in deep end - $500
3. Leak in shallow end - $300
4 Leak around pool light - $700

I think the guy that inspected it before we bought it was on the take. These issues didn't come up then.

Posted by: VinnieD

quote:
Originally posted by Bryanmc
My wife and I bought a house with a pool. We've lived there since October.

Now, before we've even used the pool, we've got to spend almost 3 grand in repairs.

So I'm seriously considering filling the stupid thing in.

Anyone know what this would cost or if there are certain legal guidelines you have to follow?

Otherwise I'd like to just buy a couple tons of dirt and start pouring.

Cut the top 1' off the grade beam of the pool. Concrete cutting company's can do this for you in a half a day; and may charge about $1500.00. ( they will usually haul the cocnrete away, but you may want to use it as fill if the pieces are small enough)

Without removing the gunite shell you can fill the pool using layers (lifts) of road base material (called Perc Pac, Star Pac or Gravel Borrow here in MA) well compacted every 6". This will give you a great base for any finish surface you wish and won't give you settle holes.

How big is the pool?

Find out the volume of the pool and you can calculate the amount of fill you need. My guess is a 10 wheel truck with 25 tons of material would do the trick. Here in MA that could cost you about $275.00. Rent a compactor for $75.00 a day and over the course of a 'long weekend' you can fill the pool with is base material.
When you get to about 6" from your finish grade you can add loam for lawn.

Ah;
Landscape Architecture and Construction are my life.

:D

Posted by: Jim West

I am in the process of buying an old building which cannot be repaired, and there is a basement. The building will be demolished. The city officials say the concrete walls of the basement must be knocked in before the hole is filled in, so the former basement area will not hold water. If you decide to fill in the pool you should check with the city building inspector or similar authority concerning requirements.

If you are going to have the pool repaired, get at least two more estimates. I once got a first estimate for some work and it was $7,500. The third estimate was $2,500 and they did a good job. On the demolition of the building referred to above the estimates were (1) $7,500; (2) $6,500 and (3) $5,500. All three are qualified demolition folks.

Jim West

Posted by: LBCABob

I actually filled in the backyard pool a few years ago. It took up whole yard (needed shade trees instead), and water bill, electric bill to run filter + cleaning service bill were way more than I thought the pool was worth (I used it once I can recall). The steps I followed were:

1) Get permit from city to demolish pool ($54.10 here in Long Beach in 06/92). Inspector will come out & tell you where drainage holes must be cut (1 2'x2' in deep end, another in shallow).

2) Hire concrete cutting guy to come out with saw and make the cuts. $150.

3) Inspector comes out again to see the holes.

4) Hire concrete cutting guy to take saw and cut lip of pool off ~3-4 feet from top. Just pull the debris into the pool along with any decking tile, flagstone, etc. The guy who did step 2 did this step for ~$400 (I can't find exact amount, it was a bargain for sure) plus another $50 for parts (replacement blades). I helped (sorta) and it was a lot of work (2 weekends IIRC).

5) Get 16 ton dump truck loads of sand and gravel (whatever is cheapest) from local source (see Yellow Pages). ($150/truck for sand, $210 for top soil) My pool had 12' deep end and used 2 loads of sand and 3 of topsoil but I have no idea of actual size in cubic yds. If can dump right into pool, you're lucky. I had to wheelbarrow the XX cu yds from driveway to pool since block wall surrounded pool. No need to go to gym that week.

6) Start using soil for top 3' or so (I guessed) and rent a compactor to compress everything.

7) Give it some time to settle (weeks? I waited months since I was fed up with it by then) before installing landscaping & sod.

8) Have inspector come back to see the pool is gone (duh) and sign off on permit.

9)Look for R/E tax evaluation to go down minor amount.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Posted by: Flogduh

quote:
Originally posted by genearch
Here's a starter:

http://www.blueskysearch.com/images/poolcar.jpg

Maybe Flogduh will donate a Volvo :D

ROTFLMAO...:D :D :D :D Musta been that dreaded "torque steer" :D

No Volvo, but maybe a Chevy!!! [Flogduh ducking as all the Chevy loving members of TiVo Community fling their "Fix Or Repair Daily" FORD bumper stickers at him]

Posted by: ClutchBrake

quote:
Originally posted by Bryanmc
There are 4 trouble areas.

1. (Biggest) The filter needs replacing. About $1500
2. Leak in deep end - $500
3. Leak in shallow end - $300
4 Leak around pool light - $700

I think the guy that inspected it before we bought it was on the take. These issues didn't come up then.

Well, I can't help you with problem #1. As for problems # 2,3, and 4, I have two words for you: Duck Tape. :D

Posted by: Bryanmc

quote:
Originally posted by unoriginal
Sell it on ebay. There is sure to be a buyer there. :D

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAP...item=1709855672

Enjoy! And tell you friends!

Posted by: Flogduh

quote:
Originally posted by Bryanmc

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAP...item=1709855672

Enjoy! And tell you friends!

Anybody want to "pool" (pun intended) their $ with me and maybe win this sucker?? I'm thinking something "TiVoish" for the plaque!!

Posted by: Flogduh

quote:
Originally posted by Bryanmc
There are 4 trouble areas.

1. (Biggest) The filter needs replacing. About $1500
2. Leak in deep end - $500
3. Leak in shallow end - $300
4 Leak around pool light - $700

I think the guy that inspected it before we bought it was on the take. These issues didn't come up then.

Bryan

2,3,& 4 seem fairly reasonable. #1 seems a bit high after I saw the size of the pool in the picture. The good news about replacing the filter is you should be able to get a very energy efficient model and enter the 21 century in terms of technology over the 20 year old model now in place.

I'm guessing there are a good number of pool companies in your area, and if so, competitive bidding to get the cost down shouldn't be a problem, eh?

Dan

Posted by: Bryanmc

quote:
Originally posted by Flogduh

#1 seems a bit high after I saw the size of the pool in the picture.

I'm guessing there are a good number of pool companies in your area, and if so, competitive bidding to get the cost down shouldn't be a problem, eh?

Dan

Yeah, I will get another estimate and see what kind of pricing wars I can create. :D

Posted by: talkdj

Well if you do decide to get it repaired when it's time to fill it up with water don't use a hose! Call the fire department in your area and for a small fee they will fill it with one of dem big fire hoses!!

They did for me in Cleveland and in Dallas!

-Wynn

Posted by: justapixel

quote:
Originally posted by Bryanmc

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAP...item=1709855672

Enjoy! And tell you friends!

Dang, Bryan I was going to bid on it, but you made the minimum a bit too high..... I could see the name being Justapixel Pool.....

Posted by: nextguard2

quote:
Originally posted by Tasky

I may just be biased, but I would kill to have a pool. I would give up a fancy TV for a pool any day...

No No No...

Any properly eqipped pool area must ALSO have a large TV and high speed net access. :)

Posted by: Flogduh

quote:
Originally posted by justapixel

Dang, Bryan I was going to bid on it, but you made the minimum a bit too high..... I could see the name being Justapixel Pool.....

If you wanna go in on it together, I'm sure we could come up with something catchy for a name like Justapixels Flogduh Pool and Spa..:eek:...on second thought, never mind....

Posted by: bareyb

quote:
Originally posted by Bryanmc
bareyb, thanks for the info and if you hear something from your friend I'd appreciate the knowledge.

I think I'll probably just have to get everything repaired.

Okay you ready? 15 Grand it cost him to demolish the pool, fill it in and put in a lawn... Yikes. :eek:

That 3 Grand is sounding better and better...

Posted by: Bryanmc

quote:
Originally posted by bareyb

Okay you ready? 15 Grand it cost him to demolish the pool, fill it in and put in a lawn... Yikes. :eek:

That 3 Grand is sounding better and better...

Yikes!

I guess that's no longer an option.

Thanks for the help.

Posted by: Bryanmc

quote:
Originally posted by justapixel

Dang, Bryan I was going to bid on it, but you made the minimum a bit too high..... I could see the name being Justapixel Pool.....

justapixel, justforyou I've lowered the minimum price.

Just remember at the very least the plaque can't cost more than the winning bid.

If you win at $1 I'll have to use a sheet of paper and some tape.

But not the good tape.

Posted by: bsnelson

I'm high bidder so far! I'm high bidder so far! :)

(note to those who aren't familiar with eBay: This concept is not a total joke; Bryanmc and the winner will both get their feedback bumped up a notch, very valuable in the eBay world)

Brad

Posted by: sguthrie

Keep in mind that the $3,000 is only a start. Pools are expensive to maintain.

Posted by: Xaa

quote:
Originally posted by sguthrie
Keep in mind that the $3,000 is only a start. Pools are expensive to maintain.

Not that expensive. Just don't rely on the pool supply company to tell you what you need. It's a huge scam.

In our pool (Approx 50,000 Gallon inground), it costs me about $8/month for electric, $100/year for chlorine (3" Tablets buy them at Sams), $18/year for Sodium Bicarbonate (buy a 50lb bag of it for PH adjustment). $5/year for tester, $20/year for shock(get this at Sams too). $300 one time for a Kreepy Krauley automatic cleaner.

That's it. Keep your pool open year round. Don't cover it and go to the expense of the closing and opening chemicals as well as a cover, it makes more sense and looks better in the south.

It comes in around $300/year if you amortize the Kreepy over 5 years and is simple to maintain. I spend less than 1 hour/week skimming etc, the Kreepy does all the cleaning and we enjoy the hell out of it for 7 months a year.

Xaa

Posted by: Guyy

quote:
Originally posted by bsnelson
I'm high bidder so far! I'm high bidder so far! :)

(note to those who aren't familiar with eBay: This concept is not a total joke; Bryanmc and the winner will both get their feedback bumped up a notch, very valuable in the eBay world)

Brad

Alright I'm in the lead now! How does the TivoHole sound for a pool name? :D

Posted by: askewed

Is someone else's. Too expensive!!!!!! Cover it dig a trench from the basement to the pool and you've got a underground retro TV room.

or

If you lived in Georgia you could be a mortuary owner.

Posted by: TivoDaddy

quote:
Originally posted by Xaa

Not that expensive. Just don't rely on the pool supply company to tell you what you need. It's a huge scam.

In our pool (Approx 50,000 Gallon inground), it costs me about $8/month for electric, $100/year for chlorine (3" Tablets buy them at Sams), $18/year for Sodium Bicarbonate (buy a 50lb bag of it for PH adjustment). $5/year for tester, $20/year for shock(get this at Sams too). $300 one time for a Kreepy Krauley automatic cleaner.

That's it. Keep your pool open year round. Don't cover it and go to the expense of the closing and opening chemicals as well as a cover, it makes more sense and looks better in the south.

It comes in around $300/year if you amortize the Kreepy over 5 years and is simple to maintain. I spend less than 1 hour/week skimming etc, the Kreepy does all the cleaning and we enjoy the hell out of it for 7 months a year.

Xaa

Xaa,
Do you know of any websites and/or books that are good for pool maintenance. We also just moved to a house that has a pool, and we are maintaining the pool guy that the previous owners had for the time being. I know it should be easy but laborious maintenance and would love to start doing it myself. I'd like to know how to maintain the filters and how to properly warm up the pool as well.

I also thought about Bryan's idea of taking out the thing, but I'd like to give it the old college try and save money by not having the pool guy come out.

Posted by: bfossett

A couple of notes:

Maintaining a pool is not that tough; paying someone else to do it can get expensive.

Filters, pumps etc are not that expensive; paying someone else to install them can get expensive.

Filling in a pool will be expensive and needs to be done right. Don't shortcut here or the problems will haunt you.

Swimming pools are great for exercise and keeping kids off the streets.

Lots of houses are sold with an "appliance" insurance policy to cover things that break down in the first year. I had a 25 year old filter replaced with a new one on that policy ... no questions asked.

Anyone interested in pool maintenance / information, might want to go here:

http://www.poolsolutions.com/

Posted by: pmyers

I wanted to also mention the idea of getting it fixed under your home warranty. My friends just bought a house (20+ years old house) with a pool and spa along with a home warranty. When they moved in they discovered that the pool heater was broken and some pumps too....all that got fixed under their warranty. They were in the same boat as you: that they were told that everything "worked".

Posted by: Dafaso

Bryan, would this caption be acceptable for the pool plaque:

Welcome to our ool. Notice the 'p' is missing. Let's keep it that way.

Posted by: Flogduh

quote:
Originally posted by Guyy

Alright I'm in the lead now! How does the TivoHole sound for a pool name? :D

Ha, Ha, Ha...Not anymore!!!!:D :D :D

Still gotta work on a name though...Think, think, think...something California-ish, that oughta put a wrinkle in most Texan's panties!!:eek:

Posted by: Bryanmc

quote:
Originally posted by Dafaso
Bryan, would this caption be acceptable for the pool plaque:

Welcome to our ool. Notice the 'p' is missing. Let's keep it that way.

As long as it reads this way:

Welcome to our ool. Notice the 'p' is missing. Let's keep it that way. And keep the duke out too.

Posted by: Bryanmc

quote:
Originally posted by Flogduh
Still gotta work on a name though...Think, think, think...something California-ish, that oughta put a wrinkle in most Texan's panties!!:eek:

Whaddya talkin' about?

Women here wear boxers. :D

Posted by: dfr1

Lessee ... 48,000 gallons of gin, 2000 gallons of vermouth, and 288,000 olives ...

Posted by: Flogduh

quote:
Originally posted by dfr1
Lessee ... 48,000 gallons of gin, 2000 gallons of vermouth, and 288,000 olives ...

Last one in's a sober prude!....Cannonball!!!!!

You can open your mouth under the surface, but don't open your eyes..:eek:

Imagine games of "Marco-Polo" lasting hours on end, or until all the participants pass out.:D

Posted by: Xaa

quote:
Originally posted by TivoDaddy

Xaa,
Do you know of any websites and/or books that are good for pool maintenance. We also just moved to a house that has a pool, and we are maintaining the pool guy that the previous owners had for the time being. I know it should be easy but laborious maintenance and would love to start doing it myself. I'd like to know how to maintain the filters and how to properly warm up the pool as well.

I also thought about Bryan's idea of taking out the thing, but I'd like to give it the old college try and save money by not having the pool guy come out.

Nope, I just got good advice from the previous owner. Really, I do exactly what I spelled out in the other post and no more. Fill it with water and get the chlorine set to between 1.5 and 3.0 and the PH around 7.2 and all is good, it'll take care of itself. You may need to have a pool guy help you get your stuff set right and the water clear, but once that's done, don't let them scare you into more stuff.

I see it all the time, if I stop into the pool shop for a raft or tester. People lined up at the counter with between $100 and $200 of chemicals, and a sales person using the "Your water will turn green if you don't..." approach to selling the stuff.

If you call any pool store and tell them you are going to do what I suggest and nothing else, they'll warn you like crazy, but my pool has been crystal clear and problem free for the 5 years we've owned the house.

Xaa

Posted by: betativo

After living in 2 houses with pools, you couldn't pay me enough to own one.....and I've never had to really mess with it. My parents have.

The house my parents are in now has one, and it's an ongoing battle for my dad. I have to admit, once they ditched the crappy Kreepy Krawler and got the Polaris installed, it has been a lot less work for him...the Polaris is amazing!

Good luck with your auction Bryan! I have a question too: I'm no eBay expert, so what does "no reserve" mean?

Posted by: Bryanmc

quote:
Originally posted by betativo
I have a question too: I'm no eBay expert, so what does "no reserve" mean?

You can set a "reserve price" which means the seller won't sell the item for less than the "reserve."

This number is hidden from the bidders but a tag next to the current bid will show "reserve not met" until the bid goes above the reserve.

Posted by: Xaa

What was their problem with the Kreepy? I'm surely not going to knock the superior and more expensive Polaris, but the Kreepy has worked flawlessly for me. It tracks a random path, climbs the sides and cleans the hole pool in just a couple of hours. In the summer, I usually drop it in late at night and then take it out in the morning.

Pools really aren't that tough, you just need to give it a little attention each day and nothing ever adds up on you.

Xaa

Posted by: HTH

quote:
Originally posted by jradosh
http://www.kilk.com/pond/pondmain.html

http://members.aol.com/pooltopond/index.htm

Food for thought :)

Cool! A real cee-ment pond!

You could also turn it into a bomb shelter. (Weren't a lot of old backyard bomb shelters turned into pools? Call it a restoration.)

Posted by: dfr1

If you call it a restoration and put up a brass placque, you should be able to get the government to fund it.

Posted by: pmyers

So did "pfazrocks" every name your pool? Is the plaque up? Show pics!

Posted by: Mark Lopez

I was looking at jradosh's links about turning it into a pond and saw this in the text. I never thought that it could be a mortgage issue to remove a pool.

Since our mortgage was not clear, we contacted the bank to get their permission in removing the pool. We felt if either of us got sick and we had to sell the house we did not want any problems with the mortgage company.

Posted by: Bryanmc

quote:
Originally posted by pmyers
So did "pfazrocks" every name your pool? Is the plaque up? Show pics!

He's planning a dedication ceremony for later this summer.

At that time the name of the pool will be revealed.

Posted by: bobcarn

quote:
Originally posted by Bryanmc

Yeah, I realize it could be much worse but I guess I can stop looking at HDTVs now. :(

Dude, I ditto Tasky's remark! To me, a pool is probably the ultimate thing you can have! I can't think of anything nicer than just floating around in your pool on a hot summer day! $3K is a lot of money, but $3K for a pool I would spend in a heartbeat!

Just let me know when it's ready so I can get a new pair of flippers, goggles, waterwings, floating chair, bathing suit, inflatable toys, pool frisbees, snorkel, more inflatable toys, inner tube, a few more toys, and the beer!

Posted by: pmyers

quote:
Originally posted by Bryanmc

He's planning a dedication ceremony for later this summer.

At that time the name of the pool will be revealed.

Cool..can't wait. Is he a TiVo fan? I couldn't imagine stumbling accross your auction unless somebody saw the link here.