How long will a concrete pool last?

[cjohn]

Hey all, I'm brand new here and looking for advice. We recently moved into a house with an old concrete pool. The pool was put in in 1965. It's in rough shape. I've been getting prices on getting work done when this thought occurred to me. How long does a concrete pool actually last? Is it wise to spend a lot of money on a pool that is already 54 years old? I found info online saying concrete pools can last between 40-70 years. Can anyone offer any advice on the life expectancy of a pool from the 60's? Thanks much.

[Denniswiseman]

Concrete lasts for ages, houses have concrete foundations as do all buildings and the Hoover Dam
The problem with concrete pools is how thick they are and how good the rebar is and the cover (50mm)
The only thing is to drain down (subject to the water table) and inspect
If the rebar is near the surface it may have cracked and corroded the rebar
If that is the case seek professional help

[cjohn]

Thanks Dennis, This is helpful. We live in the Mid-South where the water table is pretty high. I have drained the pool and found spots that look like rust. They look and feel like mineral deposits, very flaky and dry but deep rust color. I assume this is from the rebar and leaching through the concrete. Does that sound like what you are describing with corroded rebar?

[Denniswiseman]

Could be just iron staining from the water what does the concrete look like
When rebar rusts it tends to expand and push the concrete away
I would be inclined to clean the area thoroughly and tap with a hammer to see if it sounds hollow