New fiberglass pool

[Miner1979]

Hello. We have a major problem with our new fiberglass pool build. Our builder put the 2 skimmers about 3 to 4 inches to short from the pool top .1 Skimmer is completely under water and the other is over the water recommend line by 2 inches. What can I do to correct before they sign off. They told me one wouid just be used for the skimmer equipment but the water level will need to be about 10 "under the top of the pool to work properly and will def look odd, if I raise the water level it wont work properly, please help. I almost feel the only thing to do is sue and have it done again correctly. Seems like a mistake on his part but for the money we paid I feel it needs to be corrected

 

[kimkats]

Hi and welcome to TFP. I am sorry we are meeting under these circumstances.

Please take and share a pic of what you are seeing and dealing with.

Is the pool level as a whole?

I THOUGHT fiberglass shells were shipped with the skimmer and returns holes already cut..........do you have pics of when it first got there?

 

[Miner1979]

Hi and welcome to TFP. I am sorry we are meeting under these circumstances.

Please take and share a pic of what you are seeing and dealing with.

Is the pool level as a whole?

I THOUGHT fiberglass shells were shipped with the skimmer and returns holes already cut..........do you have pics of when it first got there?

No it was solid m. The builder cut the skimmer light and return holes

 

[kimkats]

So share a pic of the pool. Is it level all the way around? Is there water in the pool now?

 

[sktn77a]

Wow, he botched that pretty good. That would be a pretty major repair to fill in the skimmer holes and cut new ones, not to mention the additional plumbing. I would definitely not accept this as-is.

 

[Miner1979]

Wow, he botched that pretty good. That would be a pretty major repair to fill in the skimmer holes and cut new ones, not to mention the additional plumbing. I would definitely not accept this as-is.

 

[Miner1979]

Ade you a builder? Can you even patch fiberglass and cut a new hole?

 

[Texas Splash]

Miner, maybe it's just the angle of the photo, so tell me if I'm seeing it incorrectly. Of course the skimmer on the left is totally submerged (not good). The skimmer on the right, while not totally submerged, is almost too low to be productive. But here's where the photo is messing with my vision . The space from the skimmer (top) frame to the lip of the shell look very similar between the two. It almost looks as though the pool itself may not be level. The photo makes me think it is settled more on the left where the skimmer is submerged. The end on the right seems slightly higher. Do I need new glasses. Give it to me straight. I can take it. ?

 

[Miner1979]

Miner, maybe it's just the angle of the photo, so tell me if I'm seeing it incorrectly. Of course the skimmer on the left is totally submerged (not good). The skimmer on the right, while not totally submerged, is almost too low to be productive. But here's where the photo is messing with my vision . The space from the skimmer (top) frame to the lip of the shell look very similar between the two. It almost looks as though the pool itself may not be level. The photo makes me think it is settled more on the left where the skimmer is submerged. The end on the right seems slightly higher. Do I need new glasses. Give it to me straight. I can take it. ?

No gpjr right the deep end sits lower then the shallow by about 2 or 3 inches to me.... I said something the same thing to the builder in November when it was dropped in and filled with water. He said no pool is ever perfectly level and it would be correct at the end. Well here I am al them most at the end.

 

[Miner1979]

No gpjr right the deep end sits lower then the shallow by about 2 or 3 inches to me.... I said something the same thing to the builder in November when it was dropped in and filled with water. He said no pool is ever perfectly level and it would be correct at the end. Well here I am al them most at the end.

I am exactly 4c from the top of the skimmer to the top of the pool shell on one and 2.3/4 from the top of the skimmer and the top of the pool shell in deep end

 

[Miner1979]

I am exactly 4c from the top of the skimmer to the top of the pool shell on one and 2.3/4 from the top of the skimmer and the top of the pool shell in deep end

I am exactly 4c from the top of the skimmer to the top of the pool shell on one and 2.3/4 from the top of the skimmer and the top of the pool shell in deep end

Yes so 2" difference there and I have seen other skimmers cut lless the a inch f egg on the top to allow the most water in the pool. It seems like the only way to have my skimmers working properly I'll be 10" below the to of the pool

 

[Texas Splash]

Well, that is disappointing to put it mildly. At this point, a couple things could happen:
1 - Put your feet down, let them know you're angry, and threaten to report the issue to the appropriate business and legal agencies Unfortunately, that method doesn't always work, and the installer may just disappear on you. very well. Or ................
2 - Keep the lines of communication open. Let them know that you, and everyone else who has seen your pool, is amazed at the final result, and that it is painfully obvious to anyone who sees it. But you are looking for options. Let the installer give you some options, but hold them to a timeline. Here are some options I might consider:
OPT 1: Complete & total re-install (nightmare to think of and I doubt they will want to consider that (nor do you) with decking and everything that goes with it.
OPT 2: Adjusting one (or both) skimmer based on existing waterline. I suspect there's a way to do it, I'm just not in the industry to confirm. Insist on a complimentary waterline tile job for concealment or unlevel pool and/or imperfections after repair.
OPT 3: Agree on a dollar amount to be refunded to you to have a different contractor perform the items in OPT 2 above. I say that because a good contractor can do wonders for a botched job. I'd be nervous about having those save people touch my pool again.

I sure hope you can convince them to meet you halfway and make this right. Let us know what happens.

 

[kellerman84]

I know your pain Miner. my fiberglass pool builder pretty much did the same exact thing to me. We put two skimmers in our deep end and he put them to low. We also have a corner that is higher than the rest (the whole shallow end is slightly higher but with one corner higher than the other. When we picked where our skimmers went, he didn't bother to tell us that they would sit lower due to a lip used to stack the fiberglass pools together on. He made the executive decision to put them below that rather than cut out the lip. our water now sits about 4-5 inches from where it should have been. It is definitely frustrating to look at but the kids have fun swimming still and he did give us a discount on the job.

 

[Miner1979]

I know your pain Miner. my fiberglass pool builder pretty much did the same exact thing to me. We put two skimmers in our deep end and he put them to low. We also have a corner that is higher than the rest (the whole shallow end is slightly higher but with one corner higher than the other. When we picked where our skimmers went, he didn't bother to tell us that they would sit lower due to a lip used to stack the fiberglass pools together on. He made the executive decision to put them below that rather than cut out the lip. our water now sits about 4-5 inches from where it should have been. It is definitely frustrating to look at but the kids have fun swimming still and he did give us a discount on the job.

So your skimmers work properly you just have the water level way low ?

 

[Miner1979]

I know your pain Miner. my fiberglass pool builder pretty much did the same exact thing to me. We put two skimmers in our deep end and he put them to low. We also have a corner that is higher than the rest (the whole shallow end is slightly higher but with one corner higher than the other. When we picked where our skimmers went, he didn't bother to tell us that they would sit lower due to a lip used to stack the fiberglass pools together on. He made the executive decision to put them below that rather than cut out the lip. our water now sits about 4-5 inches from where it should have been. It is definitely frustrating to look at but the kids have fun swimming still and he did give us a discount on the job.

Thank you. Is there a way to maybe install a slightly larger skimmer mayhe cut the hood a little bigger but maybe have the waterline go a little higher to for the remomnded level?? He already is foijg tile to cover the horrible cement job I just know that will not fix the fact the skimmers were cut low

 

[kellerman84]

I have mine filled up to just above the reccomended level. They work ok for the most part. I just feel like I have to leave my pool pump on longer. I'll try and take a picture tomorrow.

 

[sktn77a]

Ade you a builder? Can you even patch fiberglass and cut a new hole?

Yes, it can be repaired and re-cut. But you need someone who knows what they are doing. Fill the holes with fiberglass roving/resin, sand, gelcoat. Cut new holes and reinforce with fiberglass roving/resin (on the back side). Complicated by having to partially drain the pool, work in knee-level water, dig out and replumb the new skimmers. And this will probably invalidate the warranty on the shell.

He should have thought about this before he did it all wrong!

 

[Miner1979]

Yes, it can be repaired and re-cut. But you need someone who knows what they are doing. Fill the holes with fiberglass roving/resin, sand, gelcoat. Cut new holes and reinforce with fiberglass roving/resin (on the back side). Complicated by having to partially drain the pool, work in knee-level water, dig out and replumb the new skimmers. And this will probably invalidate the warranty on the shell.

He should have thought about this before he did it all wrong!

Ok well in willing to fight for this to make it right, what kind of person could do a repair like this in the tampa area?

 

[kimkats]

I would make them take the shell out and get you a new shell...............you paid for a NEW shell that did not have any patch work done on it!!!

 

[Rich D]

I would make them take the shell out and get you a new shell...............you paid for a NEW shell that did not have any patch work done on it!!!

Absolutely agree. you should at least start by asking for a whole new pool because that's what you deserve anyway because in the end that pool will never be correct. This pool builder either didn't know what he was doing or didn't care. Either way you shouldn't be suffering for it. I would try contacting the pool manufacturer and see if repairing the fiberglass would put it out of warranty.