Liner wrinkles during install...need expert verdict!

[C3Cl3N3O3]

Hello!

I had a new liner installed from a pool company last week who shall remain unnamed. All in all it looks pretty good, however there are some loose ends. The pool was empty on Day 1 and filled by a truck on Day 2, and as it was filling the installer was smoothing out the liner. At the end of Day 2, the installer pointed out some wrinkles in the deep end. He said they would have to work them out with a "suction cup" when it was warmer (the water was quite cold). However the story sort of changed this week and I abruptly got the bill for the remainder. The wrinkles are noticeable if you look for them, and fairly noticeable with the pool light on. I paid a deposit of 75% and have not released the rest of the payment. Thoughts? The other threads on the subject don't seem to be a match with my situation. There was no ground water or anything going on, it was bone dry until the truck showed up (the pool is well above the water line). The original liner had zero wrinkles after 12 years and I didn't even know liner wrinkles were a thing. There are about 10 wrinkles, mostly on the walls but one or two on the floor.

 

[jamjam]

I have a standard rectangle so I’m not sure what the expectations are for a shaped pool but I would not find that acceptable

 

[Snoobug]

I did a quick search on TFP and found this...

Wrinkles in liner

Following the tropical storm last week, a portion of our vinyl pool floated and left behind these thick wrinkles. I tried to step on them and straighten them out but they are way hard and thick. 1- What can be done? 2- Can I continue to use my pool robot to clean or will it rip the vinyl? It's...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Leebo]

I’d defiantly have a discussion with the installer about getting them to fix it, or at bare minimum offer some cash for the headaches. If it were I a trip to the local Dollar General would be in order to purchase a new plunger. These wrinkles do look like they can be worked out, it’s just a matter of being brave enough to work in the cold water.

 

[Casey]

Did the pool company use a vacuum to pull the air from behind it?

 

[Pool_Medic]

Either improperly installed or improperly measured. That’s shoddy work imo

 

[zea3]

If they used a vacuum to set the liner it should not have wrinkled when being filled. If they set it with a vacuum and there were no wrinkles until the water started going in then they did not pay attention while it was being filled, as they should have stopped when they noticed wrinkles starting to form. If they cut the liner too big then you will not be able to smooth the wrinkles out.

Call about the bill and remind them about the wrinkles. No final payment until all work is done.

 

[C3Cl3N3O3]

Did the pool company use a vacuum to pull the air from behind it?

If they used a vacuum to set the liner it should not have wrinkled when being filled. If they set it with a vacuum and there were no wrinkles until the water started going in then they did not pay attention while it was being filled, as they should have stopped when they noticed wrinkles starting to form. If they cut the liner too big then you will not be able to smooth the wrinkles out.

Call about the bill and remind them about the wrinkles. No final payment until all work is done.

They did use a vacuum. It appeared to be industrial grade and was set up closer to the shallow end and was running as the water was pumped in.

 

[Heavenlytunes]

More like 3 vacuums running on mines

 

[Pool_Medic]

If they aren’t using two vacuums then they aren’t doing it right. I see liners pulled tight to the bottom before the addition of water and I cringe, that’s a wrinkle nightmare about to happen.

I should add that measuring for a new liner is an art form, as we know there are very few true artists out there.

 

[C3Cl3N3O3]

So how should one negotiate with the pool company in this situation and what is the range of acceptable outcomes?

 

[Pool_Medic]

Its always best to deal with him in person, hopefully he will step up ahd do the right thing but saying that it’s rare for most to act that way. He easily doubled or tripled his money on that liner so he has room to either fix, give you a discount or replace it.

 

[C3Cl3N3O3]

Should I consider a discount? It seems like the manufacturer warranty is out the window at that point. The discount would have to cover the cost of draining and reseating and filling the pool which isn't going to be cheap. Also there's risk in attempting that if the dang thing wasn't measured correctly. If I lived with it I'd have concerns about longevity. How are those wrinkles going to hold up getting the brush and robot cleaner treatment every week for the next 10 years?

 

[woodyp]

Ask if it would be acceptable to him if it was HIS pool.

 

[C3Cl3N3O3]

So are there any similar stories with positive or negative outcomes? There seems to be some consensus that this is not a minor issue.

We've been going back and forth on this all week. At one point they offered for me to withhold 5% of the total payment until the wrinkles can be worked out at some unknown future date. I rejected that due to the high degree of uncertainty. Now they are back to just wanting the full payment released. The owner is supposed to be getting in touch, I haven't dealt with him directly yet. Thoughts?

 

[jamjam]

here is what you do - state your expectations, state the current situation, state the impact that current situation has on you, then conclude with what actions you expect to be taken that would satisfy you.

example: "When I contracted you I expected quality work, there are wrinkles in the liner that are objectionably unacceptable, these wrinkles negatively impact the aesthetic and functional nature of my pool and will have a significant negative impact on the longevity of the liner, I expect your company to either fix the issue or compensate me enough as to where I can hire someone else to fix it without going out of my pocket."

 

[Leebo]

What may I ask is your water temp?

 

[C3Cl3N3O3]

The water temp is 70 or so, but I don't expect it to rise anytime soon based on the 7-day weather forecast

 

[C3Cl3N3O3]

here is what you do - state your expectations, state the current situation, state the impact that current situation has on you, then conclude with what actions you expect to be taken that would satisfy you.

example: "When I contracted you I expected quality work, there are wrinkles in the liner that are objectionably unacceptable, these wrinkles negatively impact the aesthetic and functional nature of my pool and will have a significant negative impact on the longevity of the liner, I expect your company to either fix the issue or compensate me enough as to where I can hire someone else to fix it without going out of my pocket."

That's the purpose of this thread is to ascertain what the impact of the situation is. I do not know. In turn, it is difficult to set expectations proportionally.

 

[jamjam]

I assume the company you contracted with are professionals, they should be able to either offer to fix it, or you get 3 people to give you a quote on fixing it and they pay for whatever quote is in the middle. You don't need to know those number to negotiate an outcome.