REPLASTER JOB: need advise on another warranty issue

[EllieWilliams]

Had my pool replastered with white plaster, but have been plagued with issues after done - keep in mind I didn't go for the cheapest, just the plainest application and the pool is over 30 years old, and the plaster was chipped down to the gunite, due to three old layers of plaster.

1) Installed when raining, surface mottled - not PB fault, so they said
2) main drain leak, immediately after (loss about 3" a day) - not PB fault, so they said

had another PB install new skimmer after they found the main drain hose disconnected
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3) inlet valves leaked, immediately after (loss about 1" a day) - not PB fault, so they said

had another PB (the one that installed skimmer) come to inspect and did leak test and found nothing, until replacing a couple of inlet valves, which uncovered the valves were not connected to the pipes. On all four valves​

PB's plasterer came over immediately and inspected, confirmed their fault, plaster mixed a puddy, glue, plaster mix and filled the gaps.​

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PROBLEM THAT BRINGS ME TO THE FORUM:

4) Plaster is cracking and peeling - not PB fault, so they said

PB sent the plasterer to inspect - plasterer gave me excuses about drought, pool is old, cracking on the bottom, chemical imbalance, etc.... would have to talk to PB about the situtation.​

this is covered under two year warranty​

QUESTIONS:

- Why does the PB send the plasterer to do this - I payed PB to contract out?
- Why do they both make excuses instead of just fixing it (they brought the pool down to the gunite, if problems they would have seen then) it takes weeks to commit to anything?
- What makes plaster do this?

Thanks for reading, input and feedback welcomed.

 

[JasonLion]

- Why does the PB send the plasterer to do this - I payed PB to contract out?

That is normal. Nearly all builders contract out. When plastering you want someone who does nothing but plaster every day. One builder doesn't do enough pools to have people plastering every day.

- Why do they both make excuses instead of just fixing it (they brought the pool down to the gunite, if problems they would have seen then) it takes weeks to commit to anything?

These are signs of a bad contractor. They should never have applied plaster in the rain, clearly their fault unless it was a totally unexpected storm that came out of nowhere after they were mostly done (which is possible but unusual). And so on. They are basically trying not to lose money on the job by seeing if you will back down and settle for shoddy work.

- What makes plaster do this?

Plaster is complex. Lots of things can go wrong. An experienced crew should know how to deal with all of them and be happy to fix them when something does get past them.

If there are structural cracks in the gunite, which are actively moving, then it is not their fault. If the cracks are just cosmetic, there are always cosmetic cracks, then it is their fault.

Some mottling is normal, but on white plaster it should be essentially invisible. Dark colors will always have obvious mottling, but light colors and especially white should not have any obvious color variation.

I would consult a lawyer.

 

[Patrick_B]

I think Jason has you well covered. I wish you the best with this tough situation.

 

[EllieWilliams]

UPDATE: 2013-0228 someone came over to look at the flaking plaster, asked a lot of questions, about chemicals, if I drained my pool, gunite may be cracking under the plaster. Told me he would speak to the PB and would get back to me. Well it has been two weeks so emailed yesterday for a determination - I get the following response: "Yes, he will repair the problem, when it is warmer. He can't get into the cold water now. Can you please get back with us in April or May".

Maybe a PB or someone in industry - I have a couple more questions:

1) How can you fix flaking plaster in water? I have spider cracks coming up all over the bottom of the pool with some pop out and flaking, will get worse before their April/May call back.
2) As JasonLion said earlier, maybe it is time to search for a lawyer - where do I start on that - regular attorney, contracting, or a specialist in pools? Perhaps small claims better?
3) My warranty is up in 10/2014 so I believe all the fixes are just to get to that timeline, is this the norm for PB with problems involving sub-contractors?

Any thought or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated. As always, thank you in advance for you consideration.

 

[bmoreswim]

I would first ask for "he" to call you and discuss, in detail, what his solution is. You don't have any idea now in order to evaluate what he's proposing. It doesn't sound appropriate from what can be surmised but you need details. I'd be very afraid of waiting until he tries something in May. Lots of time to be lost between now and then when he may just be blowing you off anyway. You'll be able to get a better feel for that with an in-depth discussion of his solution.