u/Lazy-Topic-7745

Hi there, I hope you are all well. Sorry for potentially posting in the wrong subreddit. I posted to r/pools, but I haven't gotten any responses, and just in a bit of urgency. I'm Just hoping to get some feedback regarding possible pool renovations. You can see the pool in its current state, and you can see the general vibe that we are hoping to achieve in the final slide/Ai image, but I am worried about certain things.

Marbelite has been highly recommended as the better option against fiberglass due to de-lamination issues others have had in the past. I am just curious as to what are some of your guys' thoughts on the material, and any other possible materials that can be used, especially considering the current state, being a rock pool?

Also we have had a private company/some renovator guys come in to look at the pool and supply a quote, up to R81k South African Rand (approx $5k) for just the resurfacing. But then my brother, and the guys are now thinking it necessary to do piping and plumbing work, moving pumps etc, which I am skeptical about. I am skeptical about it because the renovators were quite adamant and forward, wanting to move the piping system from the edge of the pool and pumps from the bottom of the garden (you can see the creepy-Crawley pipe installed at that edge in the first and second image, so there is piping in that wall, going across and then down to the pumps, which are situated at the bottom of the garden, which can be seen in the 3rd image). So they were wanting to place new piping and move the pumps at the same level as the surface of the pool, where the biggest rock feature is currently situated. I should mention that it is agreed upon by my brother and I that we want the rock features removed.

I am skeptical about this plumbing story now, because if we already have the piping and plumbing in place, within that outer wall, why spend possibly exponentially more and develop new systems, when the old system has been working pretty much perfectly? We do think the integrity of the current piping is compromised slightly, we do think there is a leak in the system, but is it not possible to run one of those resin/epoxy snake things through the piping system and out in attempt to repair cracks and joints etc? I suggested this to the renovators, but they almost laughed off the idea, saying that they've had other guys do the same, and clients have come back with issues with the epoxy repairs. The renovator gave the reasoning that the resin doesn't last under pressure, and that the chlorine and acids of the pool destroys the resin over time. A quick Google search deemed that as false information, with the epoxy being inert, and used in public swimming pools and parks, which would experience much more intense pressures than a home pool. I would much prefer that the current system simply gets a resin/epoxy repair (if it is even needed), and an external weir jug installed/applied to the external piping/creepy-Crawley inlet as seen in the images, instead of having to develop and lay down new piping systems, install a new weir etc etc. My thoughts to save money would be to stick with the old piping, repair the old piping if need be, and simply use an exterior weir with some valves for safety. The renovator gave a story about a girls hair getting sucked into the straight piping system, like the one we currently have, and her subsequently drowning, saying that he wouldn't want to do a straight piping system because of that. He eventually mentioned how it is possible to add some steel device that redirects flow/suction pressure into the straight pipe system, as well as a valve system that would open should there ever been any excess suction pressure built up, such as in the case of hair getting caught etc. But these other options were only given after I continued pressing him on trying to maintain the current piping system and rather have the external weir jug used, than to do a whole new piping system.

So It all just seems like the guy is trying to capitalize on my brother and my perceived lack of knowledge, and fear mongering. Alternatives wouldn't have been given if I hadn't pressed him.

I am just curious as to other pool owners and possibly any renovators thoughts on this situation. My brother and I have inherited the house after our parents passing away, so we want to try and make things as economical as possible. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys. Cheers.