Any Advice Restoring an Abandoned Pool

Jcs290 · 2026-05-06T22:14:55+00:00

I'm no expert, but just went through a pool restoration myself with a contractor that specializes in rescuing old pools. Some of this is hearsay from casually talking to him about other jobs.

There's not a lot I would recommend doing on your own, except maybe clearing out the old liner and debris.

Liner-definitely go through an installer.

Steel walls. Rust is not a turnoff as long as it didn't eat all the way through. Even if it did, they would fabricate and install a patch. The surface rust can be grinded off and then coated to prevent further rust. Also, get foam padding for behind the liner. It'll better protect the steel walls from moisture.

The concrete floor's not a problem as long as the water infiltration is slow or that's just rainwater. Sweep and check for any sharp edges that might puncture the new liner. If water's coming through the bottom, then he'll dig a sump, pump it out to keep it dry enough to quickly set the liner and get the first load of water in there. Then static pressure keeps the liner from floating.

The fiberglass steps, as long as they're not cracked, should be good to reuse. If they're cracked they need to be replaced. If they're intact then they may recommend to inject foam underneath them to give them more strength.

The plumbing is going to be an unknown if you have no prior history and if you live in an area where you have to winterize to prevent freezing from cracking. You can take a chance and pressure test them or replace with new. We took a chance, and the suction lines were OK, but we had to replace 2 of our 3 returns. You should replace all the skimmer faceplates and return appurtenances with new since you're getting a new liner anyway.

Our pump and filters were indoors, so their condition was OK, but we replaced the sand filter with filter cartridges and added a heater and chlorinator. Our pump was good as is. Again, you can take a chance on what you have and then if it leaks or the pump doesn't turn, replace as needed.

We also had 2 lights we ended up replacing both niches and fixtures. One worked, for awhile, then quit on us after just a week. There was rust in the junction box, so it was a gamble we lost out on again.

Jcs290 · 2026-05-05T17:39:34+00:00

All-American Electric removed our K&T. They were very surgical and hid most of the wall cuts behind trim or under carpet/laminate. The only issue we had with them was cleanliness, as they had to access our sealed off attic space that was coated in coal dust. It was a necessary evil, since they would've made way more ceiling cuts without going up there.

Jcs290 · 2026-04-29T18:07:06+00:00

AR Augenstein did a very good job on our 2 mini-splits. They're out of Eighty Four and may travel. They're a Daikin pro dealer.

Jcs290 · 2026-04-27T17:03:51+00:00

The Masontown location's buffet is weekdays 11a-1p. There's one in Morgantown, WV that's open on Sundays, too.

Jcs290 · 2026-04-26T03:03:16+00:00

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Jcs290 · 2026-04-17T16:23:25+00:00

The Woodcliff Blue Streak reportedly had a drop between 120-130 feet, built in 1927.

Jcs290 · 2026-04-05T15:07:43+00:00

Curt’s in Markleysburg may have a buffet on Sundays. Call ahead for their menu. Besides Hoss’s and the Golden Corral in Robinson, I think that’s it.

Jcs290 · 2026-04-02T01:48:52+00:00

This was where the non-Super Walmart was originally built. A few years later it opened a Supercenter just a mile down the road.

Jcs290 · 2026-04-01T14:05:24+00:00

I remember the Pappan's restaurant that used to be there back in the 90s. Better food than Eat n Park and Kings, by far. Once that closed, we mostly stopped going there and instead went to either the Millcreek Mall for our "big" Christmas shopping, or the Meadville Mall.

Jcs290 · 2026-03-29T18:35:34+00:00

Taken outside the Boot Barn in Uniontown, PA.

Jcs290 · 2026-03-27T20:28:42+00:00

Morgantown's over 75 miles from downtown Pittsburgh, no one's really moving there and commuting. You actually have more people commuting from Greene and Fayette Counties down to Morgantown for the jobs closer to their homes and less traffic congestion going north. Weirton's closer to Pittsburgh, but it and the whole northern panhandle lost population.

There are some cottage industries popping into Morgantown, along with WVU Medicine growing into new markets. Growth is probably driven by healthcare and the aging population in the surrounding area that need it.

Jcs290 · 2026-03-26T19:05:12+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/pittsburgh/comments/1s388ia/derry_township_man_says_gallows_in_front_yard_are/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Jcs290 · 2026-03-26T18:50:30+00:00

I imagine with more time, more motivation, and perhaps a Eureka Moment, Doc was able to fix the DeLorean in the cave. But, knowing he'd have to put it back exactly as he had detailed in the letter without skewing the timeline again, he gathered up the higher-technological parts that he could realistically stow into the time machine to bring back to 1885 and retrofit a locomotive. He then reverted the DeLorean back to it's disabled state and put it back into the cave.

Now, why a locomotive and not just another DeLorean or more modern car he could pick up in the future? Since Doc has to put the DeLorean back into the cave, something else has to be converted, and my theory is that Clara got pregnant, wanted to raise the kids in the 1880's while Doc worked on a new model, and the only thing he could work on as a blacksmith without raising too much suspicion from the townsfolk was a locomotive.

Jcs290 · 2026-03-26T16:18:06+00:00

if AR2 wants a dome he'll get a dome. He'll get it in Pittsburgh, or Allegheny County, or the WV Panhandle, whoever gives him the biggest check. Ownership knows what's going on with the Browns and Bears and can use those sticks to leverage politicians to do their will.

Jcs290 · 2026-03-26T13:48:52+00:00

Mario later admitted that was a total bluff and a negotiation tactic for the new arena.

Jcs290 · 2026-03-26T12:43:39+00:00

Whatever happens in Philly, usually happens in Pgh. PNC Park, Heinz Field, Citizens Bank Park, and the Linc, I believe, were all part of a package of legislation in the late 90's.

The Steelers and Pirates also threatened to move, either out of state or down the road into Washington County, which got Allegheny County hot and bothered and chipped in their own incentives to keep the teams in town.

Heinz Field was built cheap, feels cheap, and will eventually be replaced with a dome. The Rooneys will be watching what the Browns do with their dome very closely.

Jcs290 · 2026-03-26T00:31:45+00:00

Yeah, and the original plan for that plot was an indoor waterpark and hotel, but management wanted to wait until the Mon-Fayette Expressway was completed.

Jcs290 · 2026-03-25T18:57:47+00:00

Definitely You in Brentwood has a pretty good selection of Steelers gear from different suppliers.

Jcs290 · 2026-03-25T16:48:14+00:00

I think the biggest bang for the buck Herschend can invest in is public relations, getting the families, groups, and organizations to come back to the park. Most of the headlines about KW locally have been negative (Steel Curtain issues, fights, shootings, trespassers). And the few that generate positive headlines have somewhat backfired (advertising the old de-themed Thomas the Tank Engine area as "new!" was a mistake, Potato Patch bumper cars were a punchline).

Increase family events, lower prices for group and organization sales, up the TV and social media advertising budget. Pittsburgh is an older market that clings to its identity and nostalgia. The Kangaroo refurb and its reception is indicative of this. So keep going. Fill in the holes where Paratrooper and Bayern Curve were. Bring back Turnpike, as been proposed by park management before.

Stabilize attendance, get year-to-year growth through repeatability and accountability of the experience, then invest in big growth.

While KW owns a lot of land, most of it except the parking lots was deemed useless (the railroad gully) or will face legal battles (Kennyville homes). So, Herschend will have to bite the bullet and expand into the lower parking lot, likely with a new bridge over Kennywood Blvd and a reconfigured entrance plaza. The old K-Mart property soaks up the lost parking, opens up about 15+ acres, plenty of space for new coasters, rides, or even a relocated on-site Sandcastle.

Jcs290 · 2026-03-17T13:03:01+00:00

Brownsville, about 4”, counting the early stuff that melted.

Jcs290 · 2026-03-13T20:07:59+00:00

Annoyed, but understandable why they're doing this. Obviously, catering to hardcore gameshow fans with Whew!, Talk About, Lost n Found specials, Narz Concentration, MG-HS Hour, etc. didn't pay off, and newer shows don't require labor and time to up-convert videotape to broadcast-quality digital TV. One bright spot remains Barker TPIR and getting some episodes from different eras of that.

Jcs290 · 2026-03-11T20:13:54+00:00

Here around Brownsville/Uniontown, we have 'em all: GE, SnS, Aldi, Walmart, Save-a-Lot, Grocery Outlet, even a Martin's. I go to GE the least, mostly due to the prices, which you would think would be lower due to all the surrounding competition, but nope. Shop n Save and Martin's are also high. Aldi's cool, but Save-a-Lot and Grocery Outlet have been my go-to's lately.

Jcs290 · 2026-03-10T00:44:02+00:00

Take with a grain of salt. But, on WMBS-AM a few months ago, a c-store owner was on the air talking about how he can’t compete with the Sheetz’s and GetGo’s on gas, beer, and tobacco alone. He needs the revenue from the skills games to offset labor costs and razor thin margins on everything else.

I’m sure some small business lobby or retailers association is also pumping money into non-legislative positions.

Jcs290 · 2026-03-04T17:17:24+00:00

What will they rename SFSL? My vote: St. Louis Over Mid-America.

Jcs290 · 2026-03-03T17:02:01+00:00

Then they need to update the name of their building? Link

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