skip to main content
Software
Integrations
Mobile App
Expert Support
All-In-One Platform for Construction and Design
See Pricing
Schedule a Demo
Talk to Sales: (888) 316-4595
My builder uses Houzz Pro to plan the timeline and give detailed estimates and daily updates with photos of progress, and provide invoices at pre-agreed key points in the build. This made the whole experience much more efficient and stress-free.
Steve W.
Client of Cribbs Construction
Learn More
Ideas
Discussions
Houzz TV
Houzz Research
Sign In
Houzz Logo Print
Explore DiscussionsFeatured Home DiscussionsFeatured Garden Discussions
Pools & Spas
deanbrew

Wood pool wall repair

19 years ago

The IG pool at my house is about 40 years old. According to those who are familiar with the property, the pool walls are constructed of wood, and the floor is sand, with a vinyl liner. I haven't seen the pool with the liner out, but the walls are described as having wood planks or sheeting of some sort (nobody remembers all that well).

The walls are starting to push back in a couple of places, and the top rail is sagging in one of the areas. Otherwise, the walls seem pretty solid and stable. I called several local pool companies and they wanted nothing to do with any sort of repair. Most said to replace the pool (with one with steel walls) at a cost of +/- $25,000, and said they would likely need to dig up the existing concrete and lines and basically make a heck of a mess.

Does anyone have any suggestions regarding repairing the pool rather than replacing it, or how to go about finding someone to do the work? I REALLY don't want to sink $25k into a new pool.

Featured Answer
  • 18 years ago

    Two years ago, I had a similar problem with my pool which was built in 1974 in GA. It is a 32,000 gal. inground with wooden walls underneath the vinyl liner. I called FOUR pool companies before I found one who could fix the holes I had without replacing the entire liner. The one I called specialized in construction repair of pools.

    What they did is, they cut a large metal sheet and secured it over the wall UNDER the liner where the wall had holes in it. The liner was coming out a great deal. Once they put the metal over the wood, they pulled the liner back up and secured it back into the coping. They charged around $350 to do this, which took about 2-3 hours.

    The other three pool companies all said that either they could not help me at all, as they had never seen a pool like mine, or that I would need to completely replace the liner, which would need to be custom made at a cost of several thousand dollars.

    The liner has patched leaks, and cracks in the very old coping, so I am planning on replacing it next year. The construction pool company I used told me that when
    I have them put in the new liner, they will put metal over any other holes in the wood at a cost of about $300. Replacing the liner itself will be around $2800.

    It really helped that they were able to make the repairs they did, rather than replace the liner, two years ago when I first moved into the house and had a lot of other expenses.

    They are a local pool co. in GA unfortunatly so not nationwide.

    You might want to call around and try to find a company that specializes in construction repair of pools, and/or ask them if they could put a metal sheet over the wood, and secure it somehow to the wall.

    Good luck in finding someone who will think "outside the box" and not just try to put a cast on a problem which only needs a band-aid, so to speak.

    Comments (13)

    • 19 years ago

      There is one and only one place to look for your answer ---- BOOGERHEAD!

      Here is a link that might be useful: Boog's amazing wood wall pool renovation

    • 19 years ago

      Awwww shucks! Bobyoe, thanks for the plug!

      Yes me and you are the only people left on the planet that have a wood walled pool...good luck with it - after 40 years it might need a lot more than just a little work. The amazing thing is that our pool was 30 years and it was not the wood that gave out, it was the fasteners!

    • Related Professionals

      Crestview Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Elgin Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Williamsport Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Fort Collins Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Vancouver Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Pittsfield Landscape Contractors · Worcester Landscape Contractors · Pittsburgh Landscape Contractors · San Francisco Landscape Contractors · Santa Rosa Landscape Contractors · Calgary Landscape Contractors · Cape Girardeau General Contractors · Pittsburgh General Contractors · Superior General Contractors · Williston General Contractors
    • 19 years ago

      Boogerhead, I looked at your photos. You can add my "AMAZING" to all the rest. Very nice job. I'm not much of a DIYer, but my brother is a carpenter. I guess my next step is to drain the sucker and pull the liner out (it's about 15 years old, so it's about due for replacement anyway) and see what I'm dealing with. I'll have my brother come look at it for his expert opinion, and see if I can get a pool installer or two to come out, too.

      One problem I see is what to do about rain while I have the liner out. I don't want anything that's still good to be ruined by water.

    • 19 years ago

      Don't forget that the most damage from pressure on the walls is when the pool is empty, not full. Be careful how long you leave the pool empty...

    • 18 years ago

      I also might add that they did use a vaccuum (large) to stick down the side of the liner, so they could empty all the water out, without the liner coming up. They taped around the sides of the vaccuum hose which was sticking in the liner, so that when all the water was drained the liner continued to stick to the sides and bottom of the pool, as if the water were still there. This was AFTER they made the repairs to the wooden wall holes.

      Also they used a double liner lock in place of the single liner lock, above the place where the metal was covering the wood. The coping was bent/cracked so the single liner lock would not work to secure the liner back into the side of the top part of the pool. That was just in one area, a few feet, and the rest of the pool still has a single liner lock. you would never notice unless you were really looking.

      Hope this helps.

    • 18 years ago

      Believe it or not there are still builders in my area that build wooden wall pools, we see and repair some every couple of years...

    • 18 years ago

      Hi,
      My 20x40 wood wall inground(liner) pool has buckled in the deep end. Do you know of anyone in Central NJ(Monmouth county) that would venture to fixing it. We don't have the money to put in a new one. Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • 13 years ago

      I've seen well built wood walled pools in almost 100% perfect condition after tearing out 20 - 30 yr. old liners.. providing they were built right .. Marine grade plywood and treated lumber. Usually some fasteners have to be replaced. Back filled with SAND only .... (dissipates water). I built mine 15 yrs. ago and just this year, thanks to a new "safety" cover Vs. the old no flow through I had allot of Ice damage that caused liner and coping damage. The Best cover is the cheap ass water bag and vinyl cover ! more pain in the butt but not as much water build up over winter. water builds up and flows behind coping and liner then freezes, expansion and problems ... as for the wooden walls like new .. The Marine grade plywood imported from Canada was a little more money that steel wall about the same as aluminum but well worth it ..

    • 4 years ago

      I know this thread is super old but I'm hoping @cathy404593 sees this and can tell me who she used bc I, too am in Georgia. I've been noticing the water level going down in my 35+ year old pool and the more I look at my liner (replaced only within the last 5 years or so), the more I see wrong. There's indentations in the sides as if someone punched it and it's kinda bubbling on the bottom . Almost looks like how the ground looks when you've have a groundhog in your yard. I can even see a screw plain as day under the liner. I'm contacting the guy that replaced the liner but I doubt he's going to standby anything. Also noticed the wall in leaning inward on the shallow end, so that's really worries me.

    • 4 years ago

      Where in GA? i only know of companies in Cobb Co and a few surrounding west of there

    • 4 years ago

      I am in the savannah area. But I'd like to have the contact info for the company you used in case I have some questions or maybe get a referral

    • 2 years ago

      hello, is this "blog" still active?

    Related Stories
    GREAT HOME PROJECTSWhat to Know About Adding a Reclaimed-Wood Wall
    By Rebecca Pogson
    Here’s advice on where to put it, how to find and select wood, what it might cost and how to get it done
    Full Story
    111
    GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING5 Modern Pavilions and Pool Houses
    By John Hill
    With glass walls and a streamlined sensibility that direct focus toward the view, minimalism can be a natural fit for outdoor structures
    Full Story
    10
    PAINTINGKnotty to Nice: Painted Wood Paneling Lightens a Room's Look
    By No. 29 Design
    Children ran from the scary dark walls in this spare room, but white paint and new flooring put fears and style travesties to rest
    Full Story
    147
    WALL TREATMENTSThese Are Not Your Grandfather’s Pine Walls
    By Janell Beals - House of Fifty
    The knotty look went from popular to pariah in years past, but today’s designers are finding new and stylish ways to embrace it
    Full Story
    45
    LANDSCAPE DESIGN5 Tweaks for Updating Your Wood Deck
    By Falon Mihalic
    These improvements can enhance your deck’s look, feel and function
    Full Story
    17
    GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING12 Naturally Beautiful Hot Tubs
    By Laura Gaskill
    Prefer a no-plastic look for your patio or yard? Wood, stone and concrete make these hot tubs fit right in with nature
    Full Story
    82
    MODERN ARCHITECTUREVisit a California Hillside House Rooted in Nature
    By User
    Walls of windows open to stunning mountain and bay views on one side and a serene pool courtyard on the other
    Full Story
    73
    HOUZZ TOURSMy Houzz: Contemporary Meets Exotic in a Dallas Ranch House
    By Sarah Greenman
    From a lushly landscaped pool area to dark woods and cheetah prints inside, this 1950s brick ranch home shows an island spirit
    Full Story
    6
    POOL HOUSESNew Pool House Comes by Its Weathered Look Naturally
    By Becky Harris
    The Texas Hill Country structure is made from materials salvaged from a dilapidated sharecropper's house and an old barn
    Full Story
    41
    GREAT HOME PROJECTSHow to Give Your Driveway and Front Walk More Curb Appeal
    By Laura Gaskill
    Prevent injuries and tire damage while making a great first impression by replacing or repairing front paths
    Full Story
    174
    Sponsored
    AIS Renovations
    Average rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars15 Reviews
    Custom Craftsmanship & Construction Solutions in Franklin County, Ohio
    More Discussions
    Do you have a Stock Tank Pool?
    3
    Pool deck rug to coordinate with umbrellas
    8
    spa cover recommendation
    0
    California patio: 55-inch LG TV in a clear-front enclosure
    0
    How high is the pergola above the pool deck and above the plunge pool?
    0