Thanks guys! Permit for the pool! I'll check that. Apparently the kitchen wasn't permitted and neither was the addition but I don't think the Realtor checked for the pool. So...uh...we might keep looking (but not because of the pool). But it's a nice lot and it's a cute pool so if the price is right... An actual pool inspector seems like a darn good idea, as does the pool school tutorial. Thank you!

IÂve been reading a lot of the threads here and getting acquainted with the current state-of-the-art in pool design and equipment. Obviously, there have been a lot of changes since our pool was built (in the late 60Âs). IÂd appreciate some of the experts here to review my equipment and operation, and make any recommendations for improvement. What we have here is a 40-year-old in-ground pool in the Pacific Northwest, 32,000 gallons, operated pretty much like it was originally designed, although some of the equipment has been updated or replaced:  Main circulation pump: Sta-Rite, 0.75 hp, 240v, A.O.Smith motor  Booster pump: Mfr. Unknown, 0.75 hp, A.O.Smith motor, 120v  Polaris 380 pool sweep  Filter: 24" sand, American Products, Stainless steel; after backwashing, filter pressure runs approx. 12 psi.  Heater: Jandy Lite 2 LJ (electronic ignition)  Timer: Intermatic digital, with freeze protection (controls main pump and heater)  Single 12vdc 300w submersible light  All plumbing is 1-1/2". Suction line is approx. 25Â, return lines are 20Â-40Â.  All equipment is below water level. Over the past 20 years, IÂve had the motors overhauled 3 or 4 times. We rarely get a prolonged freezing spell in the Seattle area so I donÂt shut the pool down for the winter; during cold spells, I simply keep the circulation pump running and that seems to keep enough flow going (even through the booster pump and return lines) to avoid a freezeup problem. For most of the year, I run the circulation pump for 6 hours and run the pool sweep every week or two. During our relatively brief swimming season, I activate the heater, use a solar blanket overnight, increase the chlorine dosage (tablets added to the skimmer), and run the sweep more often (once or twice a week). OK, here are my questions: 1) Any general comments on the equipment setup and/or operation? Recommendations for improvement? 2) The Jandy heater (with the addition of a $70 relay) can also control the pump and has built-in freeze control. Is there any benefit to operating this way instead of controlling with the external timer? 3) Would a 2-speed or variable speed pump result in significantly lowering my electric bill? Thanks- -Gary

This is a pretty traditional option for pool coping, and you could easily update it without doing anything to the coping itself. Are you wanting to give it a more modern vibe or just update it? If you are wanting a more modern look, it could be as simple as adding modern planters with plants that are symmetrical like the black planters in the image below. Stick with neutral colors and straight lines if modern is the vibe you are going for. If you are just looking to update the look and feel, depending on what already surrounds the pool you could build out the deck around the pool, add new patio furniture and a few plants, and it will feel like a whole new space. One ofour projects had a similar coping to yours, we built out the deck using different size pavers and added the modern black planter (behind the umbrellas and pool chairs).

How about a one-piece sink and countertop in a cultured marble look? You can find them in your local big box home store and they are not very expensive and come in lots of colors.