8 month old pool, Pump at an angle, issue?

[Jeffrito]

Hi All
I had a number of issues getting this pool built. Uneven pebbletec due to bad acid wash, a slanted skimmer, etc. But I noticed recently the pump leaning towards the South. I thought it was erosion, but when I tried to raise that side up, it was difficult - turns out the base is styrofoam and some kind of wire covered in thin cement? And I uncovered some pipes to see what was going on and I'm nervous about cracking something trying to raise one side around an inch.
The contractor says it was level when installed, but when you see the plumbing and skimmer, that's up for debate. And then he says it 'probably' won't be a problem. He says he went home and measured his and its off 3/4 of an inch just due to settling.
Is this worth going to court about? Is it fixable without harming the plumbing? Or am I overthinking it?
I've attached a front view so you can see the system, and 2 views of the left side, 2 views of the right.
Thanks
Jeff

 

[Bperry]

Were you promised a concrete equipment pad? If you have it in writing you might be able to fight that on court. But yea the pad is supposed to be stable and level.

 

[reggiehammond]

If you do end up replacing the pad (and I'd use someone else) - make sure to add unions to the pump. It's currently hard piped and you don't want that. As for the angle, I don't know that I'd worry about it with an old pool, but it's definitely very sloppy on a new pool.

 

[Newdude]

Does the filter have a similar pitch ? It would likely hold the pump or SWG side down when you tried to raise either.

 

[Jeffrito]

Were you promised a concrete equipment pad? If you have it in writing you might be able to fight that on court. But yea the pad is supposed to be stable and level.

No, but he called and warned me about trying to level it - Apparently it's foam inside with wire and concrete framing...Cheap.

 

[Jeffrito]

If you do end up replacing the pad (and I'd use someone else) - make sure to add unions to the pump. It's currently hard piped and you don't want that. As for the angle, I don't know that I'd worry about it with an old pool, but it's definitely very sloppy on a new pool.

Yeah, the subs were sloppy, pebbletec, plumbing, and even the coping. Don't get me started on the hardscape by another contractor. But he swears the base was level. Yet the plumbers he stands behind installed my skimmer at an angle, and when I brought it up the old man yelled at me about how no one in 30 years of business had ever looked at a skimmer. The pool was around 60k...But question: What are unions? Thanks, Jeff

 

[Jeffrito]

Does the filter have a similar pitch ? It would likely hold the pump or SWG side down when you tried to raise either.

Yes, the base is at a pitch, and the filter is on there - The pipes below are at the same pitch. They say it's because of the rain and soft soil. And of course the tried and true excuse everyone uses around here - expansive soil. But I doubt that. I've made my peace with most of it and tried to move on, but the angle here is new and if it affects the pump, then I can revisit escalation.

 

[Newdude]

What are unions

screw on/off adapters that allow for disassembly

the base is at a pitch

If you get around to it one day, drain the filter and see if you can shim the backsides of the pump and filter. 1/2 inch plywood strips would likely work, doubled up in the back.

 

[1poolman1]

Hi All
I had a number of issues getting this pool built. Uneven pebbletec due to bad acid wash, a slanted skimmer, etc. But I noticed recently the pump leaning towards the South. I thought it was erosion, but when I tried to raise that side up, it was difficult - turns out the base is styrofoam and some kind of wire covered in thin cement? And I uncovered some pipes to see what was going on and I'm nervous about cracking something trying to raise one side around an inch.
The contractor says it was level when installed, but when you see the plumbing and skimmer, that's up for debate. And then he says it 'probably' won't be a problem. He says he went home and measured his and its off 3/4 of an inch just due to settling.
Is this worth going to court about? Is it fixable without harming the plumbing? Or am I overthinking it?
I've attached a front view so you can see the system, and 2 views of the left side, 2 views of the right.
Thanks
Jeff

View attachment 473460View attachment 473461View attachment 473462View attachment 473463View attachment 473464

Very sloppy work, but it won't affect the daily operation of the pool. Using wood to support is bad as it will rot away and leave the pad unstable.
Because of tree-root intrusion many concrete pads are far worse than that with no issues in operation. However, I wouldn't give you five years before that pre-cast pad crumbles, seen it many times. The Styrofoam will deteriorate and leave no true support for all the weight of the equipment, especially the filter when it is full weighing about 500+ pounds

 

[Newdude]

Using wood to support is bad as it will rot away and leave the pad unstable.

Oh yeah. I was implying a short term solution. Like you said it's ok as is, but if it keeps settling there's only one way to find out it was too much stress. Resetting it temporarily will allow some more pitch to be back where it currently is.

 

[ajw22]

You only have the pump and filter on the styrofoam pad. It is a day of work to move the pump and filter off and pour a solid concrete pool pad. Give the concrete a day to harden and put the pump and filter on a stable surface.

The filter is connected with unions and is easy to remove. It will take one cut of the PVC before the suction valve to remove the filter. When reassembling you can use high temp pump unions so the pump is removable in the future.

Amazon.com: 2 PACK -CMP Hi-Temp Union 2" inch 2MIP x 2" inch PVC Whisperflo & Intelliflo - 2 PACK: Garden & Outdoor

Amazon.com: 2 PACK -CMP Hi-Temp Union 2" inch 2MIP x 2" inch PVC Whisperflo & Intelliflo - 2 PACK: Garden & Outdoor

www.amazon.com

Do it now or do it later. It has to be done eventually.