Cause for concern?

[newpoolmom47]

New pool build in Fl. Broke ground mid July. 11x20 in ground gunite. I've had several questions throughout and I've just taken the PB's answers as the correct ones. But I'm starting to get a bit concerned that I'm spending a huge chunk of money and getting subpar construction and it's freaking me out. I'm OCD and things stick out to me very easily. I was concerned with the elbow of the PVC being over a layer of other PVC before burying and the weight of leveling done before laying concrete deck. PB said it wouldn't add any stress to cause any cracks.? Then there was my concern for retention wall not being high enough with the grade of ground behind. He agreed to raise it (added cost) and in doing so he added concrete ontop of the gunite. I read that wouldn't bond correctly but PB said it would be fine and it's called a cold joint. Now cage is being installed and the frame is not even on the coping. Cage guys are saying frame of pool is off not the cage frame. Which doesn't make sense to me. They have a 1" space on one end and it goes to almost 2" space, then next level same thing starts 1" space and goes to 2" in corner. I don't know what to do at this point. This to me is noticeable especially when cage comes almost to end of coping on inside in some areas. I have taken tons of pictures but posted some on the issues mentioned.

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

Plumbing pipes are best installed when not stacked, compaction of the trenches does put stress on the plumbing especially when stacked. Your PB comments on cracks, are they in regards to the pipes or the deck or both?
Commenting on your other concerns is hard without viewing pictures of the situation.

 

[sktn77a]

it's called a cold joint.

Yes, that's what it's called. So what? It needs rebar drilled into the old concrete or it will just separate with time!

 

[newpoolmom47]

Plumbing pipes are best installed when not stacked, compaction of the trenches does put stress on the plumbing especially when stacked. Your PB comments on cracks, are they in regards to the pipes or the deck or both?
Commenting on your other concerns is hard without viewing pictures of the situation.View attachment 607284

I'm having trouble uploading pictures. PB comment was about pipes.

 

[ajw22]

I'm having trouble uploading pictures.

What platform and OS are you using to upload pictures?

You can use an online tool like below:

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On an iPhone...

IPhone hack for resizing pics

Hey all !!! I broke the dreaded iPhone pic upload problem a while ago and have tried several times to upload this all from my phone but lost track of the several steps while writing it down. Or the pics came out of sequence. But today. TODAY Is the DAY !!!! IOS has a built in resizer...

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If you are using a windows PC...

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[newpoolmom47]

What platform and OS are you using to upload pictures?

You can use an online tool like below:

Image Resizer Online - Resize Image Free without Losing Quality

Easily resize image with online Photo Resizer in 3 clicks: • Upload one or multiple images • Choose the output size • Download in bulk using ready presets

retoucher.online

On an iPhone...

IPhone hack for resizing pics

Hey all !!! I broke the dreaded iPhone pic upload problem a while ago and have tried several times to upload this all from my phone but lost track of the several steps while writing it down. Or the pics came out of sequence. But today. TODAY Is the DAY !!!! IOS has a built in resizer...

www.troublefreepool.com

If you are using a windows PC...

IrfanView - Official Homepage - One of the Most Popular Viewers Worldwide

IrfanView ... one of the most popular viewers worldwide.

www.irfanview.com

Android, I'll try that

 

[newpoolmom47]

 

[newpoolmom47]

Installation of cage is not by plans either

 

[setsailsoon]

New pool build in Fl. Broke ground mid July. 11x20 in ground gunite. I've had several questions throughout and I've just taken the PB's answers as the correct ones. But I'm starting to get a bit concerned that I'm spending a huge chunk of money and getting subpar construction and it's freaking me out. I'm OCD and things stick out to me very easily. I was concerned with the elbow of the PVC being over a layer of other PVC before burying and the weight of leveling done before laying concrete deck. PB said it wouldn't add any stress to cause any cracks.? Then there was my concern for retention wall not being high enough with the grade of ground behind. He agreed to raise it (added cost) and in doing so he added concrete ontop of the gunite. I read that wouldn't bond correctly but PB said it would be fine and it's called a cold joint. Now cage is being installed and the frame is not even on the coping. Cage guys are saying frame of pool is off not the cage frame. Which doesn't make sense to me. They have a 1" space on one end and it goes to almost 2" space, then next level same thing starts 1" space and goes to 2" in corner. I don't know what to do at this point. This to me is noticeable especially when cage comes almost to end of coping on inside in some areas. I have taken tons of pictures but posted some on the issues mentioned.

Cold joints aren't normally an issue for a pool shell. Some are so large that you have to have joints because they can't be done in a day. But setting concrete on top to potentially hold a horizontal load would need re-enforcing and cold joint material at the interface in my experience. Tell the PB you want something from his structural engineer to approve the repair. If he's a PE he will stamp the repair drawing. Then make sure the builder builds to the repair design. It's not unusual for a pool to be off by an inch or so. The cage company probably measured and knew about this discrepancy and they should have let you decide how to fix. Part of the issue is the frame spacing within the frame is usually in evenly spaced sections. Somebody probably decided the extra 1" was better left outside the frame. Normally my cage designer provides final dimensions that I have to sign off on and this would be highlighted. Guessing the frame tech had this discussion with the PB. I'm sure it's structurally sound so long as there's plenty of penetration of the fasteners that are drilled through the pavers into the footers.

OCD can be a good thing for construction inspectors. Just be sure to let the engineer work it out for you. He's the one that stamps the drawings and does the calc's to be sure it's structurally sound.

I hope this helps.

Chris

PS is that the bond wire laying in with the plumbing? My inspector would not approve it like that. It had dimensions horizontally from water edge and below that it had to meet. They used landscape pins to hold it in place and bonding clamps to join.

 

[newpoolmom47]

Yes, it was. That is all leveled now with concrete deck over. The cage did not pass inspection due to corner beams being off. PB has to go back to engineer and get letter approving cage build and the revision on the wall. PB now says that he is going to put my job on hold until he can get those letters submitted and said that he is drawing up a new contract changing the payment schedule. Originally, it was broken out in four payments. 1. at dig 2. after gunite 3. after deck 4. after final inspection I have paid ontime first 3 payments. Now, he said he is changing to 1/2 of final payment before doing finish on pool. Is he able to do this?

 

[proavia]

Now, he said he is changing to 1/2 of final payment before doing finish on pool. Is he able to do this?

If there is a signed contract, it can only be changed if both parties sign it or a court orders that it be changed.

Personally, I wouldn't sign a contract with the builders proposed change. Leaving it as is is more incentive for the builder to follow thru and get the project completed.

 

[setsailsoon]

Yes, it was. That is all leveled now with concrete deck over. The cage did not pass inspection due to corner beams being off. PB has to go back to engineer and get letter approving cage build and the revision on the wall. PB now says that he is going to put my job on hold until he can get those letters submitted and said that he is drawing up a new contract changing the payment schedule. Originally, it was broken out in four payments. 1. at dig 2. after gunite 3. after deck 4. after final inspection I have paid ontime first 3 payments. Now, he said he is changing to 1/2 of final payment before doing finish on pool. Is he able to do this?

Depends on contract language. Is there a provision for a partial payment request? My guess is there isn't. But this would be a great time to negotiate for a performance test if you don't have one. Performance tests should be agreed to in all contracts before signing but builders rarely offer them. The best are simple and fair. You just want to be sure everything works before you pay the final payment and you have a release of liens document if he used subcontractors. Here's how I define everything works:

• All equipment is run-tested.
• Automation and/or timers are demonstrated to work
• No visible leaks
• Pool holds water
• No obvious defects to plaster, blocks and other in scope items
• Clean up is complete
• Final building department inspection approved

Tell him you'll provide partial payment so long as he amends the contract wording to give you a fair simple performance test. If you already have this figure out if there's anything else reasonable that you want.

I hope this helps.

Chris

 

[newpoolmom47]

Thank you, this helps tremendously.