I also have a 30+ year old pool that I will be remodeling. When I first started getting bids, I thought that all I needed was to get the pool retiled and resurfaced. The first 2 bids were for only that and they did not bring up anything else even though I told them that the pool was over 30 years old. The 3rd contractor told me that 30 years ago pools were plumbed with copper pipe but PVC has been used instead of copper for at at least the past 15 years because the joints with copper develop leaks with age. So he told me that the plumbing needed to be replaced which would require extensive demolition and replacement of my deck. He also said that even if my copper was not leaking now, most likely my new pool surface would last longer than the copper but would need to be partially redone when the copper starts leaking and I have to replumb but there might be a color matching problem. He also said that it is common for contractors to not mention the replumb because they can sell the small job and then when it is discovered after the job starts, it is much more difficult for the owner to get other bids and they can charge top dollar. I then decided to talk to some more contractors - some brought up the replumbing and others did not. Of the 3 who did not, I brought it up at the end and they each agreed that it was needed but not one of them even bothered to send me a bid or followup. So this is an area that you really need to keep your common sense nose wide open because many will flunk the smell test!! Your leak might be in the copper pipe but even if it is not, if you are remodeling, you need to replumb to replace the copper or you will be dealing with all of this again in the near future instead of enjoying your pool. Also, if they need to tear up and replace your deck now to fix the other problems, that is the biggest part of the replumb expense so a replumb will cost much less as part of that job than as a separate job in the future.

Hi Scott, Yeah, I thought of that, but we sanded off sticky residue on a sub floor once, and it totally gummed up the sander. This residue stays moist due to the heat and water it is exposed to. DH said scrape it, but I am afraid of doing damage to the wood. I was hoping someone might have had some experience in a product or chemical that would remove the glue. Regarding the latex paint - I am thinking it won't hold up with all the moisture. Whatever we do, I really don't want to have to be doing it again the next year. I'd like it to last a few years. I told DH that I just want to put peel and stick vinyl tile over it - I was thinking we could even put it over the glue since we want it sticky anyway. And, I was thinking we wouldn't even have to remove the other vinyl. The only thing is that the deck is only 21" wide, and most tiles are 12" square, so we would end up having to purchase twice the amount of tile to cover it. Lynne

I don't see where your water fall would spill from, although I suppose it doesn't really matter. If it fell onto that outcrop, it would give extra sounds although it would probably spill out the back so I suppose the fall is elsewhere. you never actually said how big the existing pipes are, but if they are 3/4 inch galvanized pipe, for example; that was probably too small for a regular modern waterfall anyway. I'm not sure that any of us is an expert on algae. I have a long stream and a skippy filter. Look skippy filter up. I am quite certain that my stream is my major filter. I get string algae, but find it generally useful. It doesn't cloud up the water; it just looks green. In my case, it is mostly in the stream. I occasionally remove it with a toilet brush to snag it, or just grab it by hand. People with the pea soup algae try all sorts of things and sometimes they work, and sometimes not. We occasionally have a poster named waterbug_guy. He has done lengthy study and believes that string algae fights off the single cell (pea soup type) algae. But of course, you have to have some to fight the other type. I think that there is general agreement that the UV tube device will kill free flowing algae. I have heard that the uv bulb needs replacement every year or so. You don't really need a filter without fish. Again: I never had a problem so am not much help and many who do, don't always get things solved. If it were me, I would go one step at a time and get a pump and flex tubing. First, I would quickly pump all the water out and clean the bowl with something and see if you can dry it out while installing your plumbing and spillway or whatever. Then I would fill and run it; scrounge up a few plants (hooked on or supported on something, or find a neighbor or store with a water lily to toss in the bottom) and see if algae forms. If you get pea soup that doesn't go away in a month, then get a UV tube thingie and see if that does the trick. You could look up 'trickle tower' as a filter device. It is a fairly new idea that I know nothing about. But again, I think it is more for preventing build up of ammonia or nitrates that can come from fish waste. No fish, no problem, I suspect.

Hi Joshua, Let the cedar weather grey. The wood will last a long time, will be virtually maintenance free, and look great. You do not need to match the decking with your interior flooring. Aesthetically, we prefer a contrast, but it's up to you ultimately. We have cedar porches in the Northeast that have been untreated for 20 years, weathered to a natural grey, and have no maintenance done to them other than sweeping and hosing to get dirt off of them....