- Oct 8, 2020
- 572
- Pool Size
- 19440
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
My situation is a complete mess right now, and I'm truly at a loss. It's been years of frustration with pool contractors, and the nightmare just keeps going.
I'll skip most of the backstory, but essentially a second pool builder finished my project in early 2023, handling only the plastering phase (everything else was completed by a different contractor). By February 2024, I discovered calcium nodules forming on the plaster walls in my spa, though not in the pool. After extensive conversations with experts on this forum, particularly onBalance, I've learned these issues stem from delamination and cracks due to improper plaster application, along with pigment loss in normal chlorinated water. During the warranty investigation, we discovered the builder's plastering subcontractor didn't source the pigment from the manufacturer as required by the brand specifications.
When I confronted my pool builder about these problems, he completely ghosted me—despite previously guaranteeing a "lifetime warranty" on the plaster. I suspect what he actually meant was the warranty provided through the manufacturer, but now that he knows his plaster guy messed up and the manufacturer won't honor the warranty, he'd be financially responsible.
I've threatened legal action, but still get zero response. At this point, I have no realistic expectation that the builder will take responsibility. Now I'm faced with deciding my next steps. I could pursue small claims court or send a scary attorney letter, but all of that will likely turn into an expensive battle.
What should I do about the plaster itself? Should I just live with the problems? Should I consider replastering just the spa while tolerating the color loss issues in the main pool?
If replastering is recommended (whether or not I recover damages), I need advice on finding a reliable plaster applicator in North Dallas, TX. Having been legally entangled with TWO different pool builders for the SAME pool, I am COMPLETELY DONE with pool builders in general. They're shady and I don't trust them whatsoever. They're just useless middlemen who fight you while skimming money off the top. How can I find a plaster applicator to work with directly? How do I verify their work quality? How do I ensure they'll do things RIGHT (properly removing old plaster, mixing correctly, applying properly, and following manufacturer specifications)?
I wish I'd been smarter and more involved from the beginning, but I guess that's the price I pay for naively assuming pool builders would simply do their job correctly.
I hate the thought of spending thousands replastering a 2-year-old pool, but I'm hoping you all can provide some perspective. I'm obviously very emotional about this whole situation and could use some guidance on where to go from here.
Thanks for all your support with this issue over the years, and for any advice you can offer now.
I'll skip most of the backstory, but essentially a second pool builder finished my project in early 2023, handling only the plastering phase (everything else was completed by a different contractor). By February 2024, I discovered calcium nodules forming on the plaster walls in my spa, though not in the pool. After extensive conversations with experts on this forum, particularly onBalance, I've learned these issues stem from delamination and cracks due to improper plaster application, along with pigment loss in normal chlorinated water. During the warranty investigation, we discovered the builder's plastering subcontractor didn't source the pigment from the manufacturer as required by the brand specifications.
When I confronted my pool builder about these problems, he completely ghosted me—despite previously guaranteeing a "lifetime warranty" on the plaster. I suspect what he actually meant was the warranty provided through the manufacturer, but now that he knows his plaster guy messed up and the manufacturer won't honor the warranty, he'd be financially responsible.
I've threatened legal action, but still get zero response. At this point, I have no realistic expectation that the builder will take responsibility. Now I'm faced with deciding my next steps. I could pursue small claims court or send a scary attorney letter, but all of that will likely turn into an expensive battle.
What should I do about the plaster itself? Should I just live with the problems? Should I consider replastering just the spa while tolerating the color loss issues in the main pool?
If replastering is recommended (whether or not I recover damages), I need advice on finding a reliable plaster applicator in North Dallas, TX. Having been legally entangled with TWO different pool builders for the SAME pool, I am COMPLETELY DONE with pool builders in general. They're shady and I don't trust them whatsoever. They're just useless middlemen who fight you while skimming money off the top. How can I find a plaster applicator to work with directly? How do I verify their work quality? How do I ensure they'll do things RIGHT (properly removing old plaster, mixing correctly, applying properly, and following manufacturer specifications)?
I wish I'd been smarter and more involved from the beginning, but I guess that's the price I pay for naively assuming pool builders would simply do their job correctly.
I hate the thought of spending thousands replastering a 2-year-old pool, but I'm hoping you all can provide some perspective. I'm obviously very emotional about this whole situation and could use some guidance on where to go from here.
Thanks for all your support with this issue over the years, and for any advice you can offer now.
