Advice Needed Pool Refinishing

MEDIA MAN

I was wondering if anybody here could help me. I operate a Mobile Abrasive Media business. i.e. Sand blasting and other media.
I have a chance to refinish 3 motel pools and 1 community pool. What are the pro's and con's of this type of work. I am scepticle about doing this type of work because of all the liabilities. I've been told that if a pool has been refinished before to becareful.
All I am interested in is the blasting of the pools themselves. As for the coatings, I work with an Industrial insulation and coatings company that I've known for 5 or 6 years. I want them to take on the coatings end of this.
What should I look out for when examining the pools? Should I have the pool inspected? As a blaster what should I warranty if anything?
If anyone has any advice I'd like to hear it.

Media Man

POOLMANinCT

hydrostatic pressure.... do some research on "pool pops." it will prove quite interesting.

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MEDIA MAN

POOLMANinCT,
Please elaborate, not sure I understand. Can I find info about this in a search on the internet? Not sure where to research! Did a search on hydrostatic pressure but only get definitions of it.
Media Man

POOLMANinCT

search as it realtes to pool disasters. pools can lift out of the ground breaking plumbing & throwing up concrete decks. I'd recommend working with a pool company vs an coating company (unless they specialize in pools. ie; plaster crew.) not trying to scare you, its just a risk that exists when draining a pool. & another big ? for you to examine is, why did surface fail? just looking out for you.

btw community pools are often buil on cheap wet swamp land or fill. where are you draining them to?


ray

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......Less with the jaw & More with the paw.....

MEDIA MAN

Thanks for the input. If you think of anything else, please post it. As I mentioned I have not seen the pools yet so I need as much info as possible prior to looking into this.
Again thanks!

Media Man

nadtwins

Media Man,
Hydrostatic pressure is definitely something to watch for! To be safe there is no harm in popping some holes into the floor of the pool as it drains.
You should also take a close look at the condition of the shell itself. Are there any cracks, bulges or hollow spots. if there are any problems with the shell not only will expose them but you might make them worse!

Makes sure the that who ever is finishing the pool has experience with finishing pools!

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The day I stop learning is the day I die!

MEDIA MAN

nadtwins

Thanks for the advice.

Media Man

POOLMANinCT

good point nads!

a bad shell may survive a drain, but the fill can also cause more damage.
h20 .. about lbs per gallon. media man, hook up with the pool companies, you can save yourself risk time, headaches & you will be shocked how many beat up pools are out there for you.

__________________
......Less with the jaw & More with the paw.....

MEDIA MAN

POOLMANinCT, Nadtwins,
Thanks guys for responding to this thread. I value your input. Anything else you may think of throw it my way. I will check this thread from time to time. Is it normal for the contractor to drain a pool or can a person request it drained prior to doing any work.
What does poping holes in the bottom of the pool actually do?

Media Man

Poolman

Hey Media Man,

Popping holes in the bottom of the pool allows the ground water aroung the pool to enter the pool if it is under any pressure. Otherwise the pool will float like a big concrete boat when it's drained - this is "pool popping".

You would be in the best situation to have the primary contractor(pool co.) drain the pool for you. Just go in, blast it, get paid and move on to the next one.

Scott

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Scott

Is this going to be expensive?
It's all relative.

GunitePoolGuy

Ditto what everyone else said. Right after you drain the pool (even if there is a hydrostatic valve in it) i would just take the valve out of the main drain/s. They might need a new one anyway. If youre really worried you can drill some holes in the shell and fill/patch them back up with waterplug before plastering.

JPF

Most gunite or shotcrete pools i have built, we always installed an underpressure or wellpoint line for just this senario. It should be either ran over by the equiptment, or back away from the deep end wall outside the pool somewhere. Just hook a pump with a primer port to it, and see if you get water....you can also pull the plug in the main drain, and try getting a line in there with a appropriate sized male adapter on it, run it over outside the pool, and hook the pump up there. You have any lakes or canals in the area?? You could shoot some elevations to see what your approx water table is as well, could be helpful.

POOLMANinCT

jpf,

I never count on a 20 yr old "mudsucker line" if I can get them going its a gift...

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......Less with the jaw & More with the paw.....

GunitePoolGuy

"mudsucker line" LOL. we only see those on fiberglass pools out here. Those are a lot easier to pop.

JPF

True, true...but figure it's worth the shot. I have got 'em going on occasion....if the water table is bad enough, it's nice to have it if you can. We have pools down here that the water table is 4' at LOW tide

GunitePoolGuy

ugh, in some ways i feel really bad for the florida pool builders. Lots more enviromental hassles and codes are way more strict as opposed to where im at.

Poolman

Yeah but it 's like digging in the sandbox from what I hear.

No ledge in Florida.

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Scott

Is this going to be expensive?
It's all relative.