While plastering today, one bench of my spa was supposed to be bulked up and straightened. There is about a two inch difference in the width of one end of the bench compared to the other, 19" vs 17". All other benches in the spa are straight and 18" wide. The bench was not straightened, or at least straightened enough to make a noticeable improvement. In addition, a strip of accent tile was added to the bench which is now also crooked. I have to admit, I'm OCD and notice things most people wouldn't. I hate to insist on it being fixed now because I'm sure it will require draining the spa, cutting out the tile strip and redoing the bench and plaster. I thought about waiting until the pool and spa is filled tomorrow to see if the water masks it some before asking for it to be fixed. Are misalignments like this to be expected with gunite pools and should I overlook it or should I ask my pb to have it fixed? Or do you think the water may mask it enough to make it less noticeable?
Am I being too picky?
- Thread starter GeauxTigerz
- Start date
- Jan 4, 2016
- 5,392
- Pool Size
- 44000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
It depends on the lighting how noticeable it will be, but a tiled edge shows up well, and a 2" difference is a lot. How long is the bench?
If it was me I'd probably ask to have it fixed. You have to live with it. The builder mostly wants to be done, paid and gone, but also relies on their reputation.
If it was me I'd probably ask to have it fixed. You have to live with it. The builder mostly wants to be done, paid and gone, but also relies on their reputation.
The bench is about 7’ long. My pb is a friend and I’ve been really happy with his work. I hate asking for it to be fixed because I feel like it will be an ordeal. On the flip side, I know it will drive me crazy if it’s obvious
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,485
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
No one is going to see the difference once the benches are under water. I would forget about it and move on to more important things in your life. It is an outdoor spa not a piece of art work.
Having built a few houses in the last few years I can say that sometimes repairs look worse than the original defect. I’d say this will not be noticeable to anyone but yourself. If you think it will really bother you, you can talk to the builder, but be prepared to have it repaired, several times, before you are happy. That seems to be the way it goes with a lot of trade work and often times the end “Fix” doesn’t truly make you happy anyway.
It’s more noticeable in person but I’m hoping the water will make it less noticeable to the point I’m not concerned with it
TexasRain
Well-known member
- May 19, 2020
- 358
- Pool Size
- 13868
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
You will probably have a drink in your hand
while in the spa and enjoying company! 
Also with the jets going it won't be noticeable!
Also the point that if you have it fixed, no telling if they make it look worse...
while in the spa and enjoying company! Also with the jets going it won't be noticeable!Also the point that if you have it fixed, no telling if they make it look worse...
- Jul 16, 2012
- 7,282
- Pool Size
- 27000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Looks to me like part of the pool's personality. I see it but with water it will be hard to see. With water moving, impossible. And as mentioned above, the fix may be worse in other aspects.
I highly doubt any guest, lucky enough to be in that pool n spa, will say a word about it because they wont even notice. You see it because it's yours and you're paying for it. I can tell you this... I'm having a pool installed and I'll know if that darn thing is off level by an 1/8" n not sitting square in the hole. Other people will just gawk at how awesome it is and not even notice. I have 75g's riding on it.... they got a $35 float on it. Ya know?! 
- Jul 29, 2007
- 115
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Make lemonade. Tell the guests the narrower end is the kid seat. 
only you will know it was a mistake and not the plan. Everyone will be happy to have the pool/spa.
only you will know it was a mistake and not the plan. Everyone will be happy to have the pool/spa.I’m thinking I’ll be able to overlook the bench but it’s just the fact Ive made a point to remind them no less than 1/2 a dozen times since gunite was shot I wanted it straightened because it’s literally the first thing you see walking up to the pool. I also realized the plasterer put the umbrella sleeve off center by almost half a foot in the spa. Unfortunately I don’t think the water will hide the umbrella sitting on one side of my spa. The last thing I want to do is ask to have it fixed but I don’t know of any way I’ll be able to disguise the umbrella sitting way off. Any ideas?
- Jul 16, 2012
- 7,282
- Pool Size
- 27000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
No thoughts on how to trick your brain on the location. Usually the functionally ideal location for an umbrella is not centered across an area. Is the umbrella at least off in a direction where the shade cast will be better located? Again, making lemonade I suppose.