I had my pool replastered by a local Pool Builder (PB) with a standard blue colored plaster (white plaster with blue dye added). Within the first two weeks the color started to get splotchy. The PB said it would fade. It never did, it just kept getting worse to the point that the pool surface looked like a tie dyed t-shirt. Then the color began to completely fade out over most of the pool surface. Later, when my pool pump went out and I had a green pool for awhile, leaves on the bottom of the pool left stains on the white parts that do not come out. The parts that still had color did not permanently stain. (See previous post for some pics: http://www.troublefreepool.com/pool-surface-stains-algae-t30748.html). The surface is rough. My daughter says it hurts her feet when she plays in the pool.
I complained to the PB and he sent a couple of inspectors for an "objective" assessment; fellow pool builders. They took some pictures, asked me some questions about how I maintained the pool chemistry (BBB of course!) and wrote up a report. They reported that the surface wasn't etched or scaled and the surface was still smooth. I don't know how they concluded that because I told them otherwise and I and my general contractor (who was also there and initially recommended the PB) never saw them even put their hands in the pool. The report said they "observed a couple of small brown stains in the bottom" which is an understatement because the bottom is dotted with many dozen brown stains which I cannot get out no matter how much I shock and brush. The report did admit the plaster was discolored but concluded that a colored plaster surface cannot be guaranteed after the pool is filled and turned over to a pool owner for use and care.
What is the standard startup time for a new plaster job and is the PB responsible during that period? (i.e. What is the typical time period when a new pool is "turned over to a pool owner for use and care"?) Even though the inspectors tried to slant their report in favor of the PB I feel their final conclusion actually helps my argument since the discoloration started in the first few weeks. I know I am also responsible during start up for some of the maintenance. My wife and I brushed the pool a couple of times a day in the first several weeks. We also did not run the pool cleaner and instead kept the surface clean by brushing the dust toward the main drain while the filter pump was running. During that time the PB came a few times to check and adjust the chemistry.
I believe the problem is more than just discoloration. The integrity of the plaster is compromised as evidenced by the discoloration, roughness, and stains that won't go away. I believe my PB is liable and should fix it. I'm not even sure the source of the problem has anything to do with the startup period; it seems more likely the cause is due to the plaster itself (mix, materials, plastering) as I learned is sometimes the case in this document: http://www.cmc-concrete.com/CMC Seminars/Swimming Pool Presentations.pdf. I am interested to hear the opinions of the TFP experts.
Thanks.
I complained to the PB and he sent a couple of inspectors for an "objective" assessment; fellow pool builders. They took some pictures, asked me some questions about how I maintained the pool chemistry (BBB of course!) and wrote up a report. They reported that the surface wasn't etched or scaled and the surface was still smooth. I don't know how they concluded that because I told them otherwise and I and my general contractor (who was also there and initially recommended the PB) never saw them even put their hands in the pool. The report said they "observed a couple of small brown stains in the bottom" which is an understatement because the bottom is dotted with many dozen brown stains which I cannot get out no matter how much I shock and brush. The report did admit the plaster was discolored but concluded that a colored plaster surface cannot be guaranteed after the pool is filled and turned over to a pool owner for use and care.
What is the standard startup time for a new plaster job and is the PB responsible during that period? (i.e. What is the typical time period when a new pool is "turned over to a pool owner for use and care"?) Even though the inspectors tried to slant their report in favor of the PB I feel their final conclusion actually helps my argument since the discoloration started in the first few weeks. I know I am also responsible during start up for some of the maintenance. My wife and I brushed the pool a couple of times a day in the first several weeks. We also did not run the pool cleaner and instead kept the surface clean by brushing the dust toward the main drain while the filter pump was running. During that time the PB came a few times to check and adjust the chemistry.
I believe the problem is more than just discoloration. The integrity of the plaster is compromised as evidenced by the discoloration, roughness, and stains that won't go away. I believe my PB is liable and should fix it. I'm not even sure the source of the problem has anything to do with the startup period; it seems more likely the cause is due to the plaster itself (mix, materials, plastering) as I learned is sometimes the case in this document: http://www.cmc-concrete.com/CMC Seminars/Swimming Pool Presentations.pdf. I am interested to hear the opinions of the TFP experts.
Thanks.
