Completely Cracked new Vermeculite bottom

[catlady]

We had a pool renovation done. The vermeculite in the vinyl lined inground pool was about 20 years old, so it needed to be replaced prior to the new liner. We also had our fiberglass steps replaced by vinyl covered drop in steps. This whole job was said to take about 6 weeks. It wound up taking 6 months with our pool empty of water for at least 4 of those months because the contractor drained it forgetting he had to do the stair work and then hardly showed up. Well, they put a new vermeculite bottom in the pool which looked good except they ran out three times and waited days between continuing the vermeculite install with the final third time being completion of the bottom of the deep end hexagon floor. At any rate, the newly done bottom was left open to the elements without a liner for about 2-1/2 months with us continuously pumping out water because of rainfall and the ground drainage pump on constantly. At any rate, the liner was finally installed and lo and behold, it was defective which was noted after the pool was completely filled. After three days, the pool was once again drained and liner removed only to find that the hexagon bottom of the deep end was cracked all over and actual pieces of vermeculite were falling out and also a large crack across the whole sloped area of the pool. If I can attach pics, I will, but this is the first time I am posting, so bear with me. I could only attach two, but the one is representative of the whole bottom of the pool all around. I was beside myself and the contractor said it wasn't that bad and they would just patch it up. I felt this was totally inappropriate and something was definitely wrong for it to look this bad. I asked if he would remove the areas that were cracked and replace them, and he refused. Can anyone give me some insight into this issue? With waiting 6 months for this job to get done, a defective liner, and then all the vermeculite bottom really damaged, I am really at my wits end. And now the contractor is asking for more money before he patches the bottom and puts the replacement liner in which is outside the guidelines of our contract. Help!!!

 

[jimmythegreek]

Its gonna crack if you have any groundwater, but should still be solid and not seperated. You cant put a liner in like this it will show thru, its gotta be chipped out or sanded out and skimmed over preferably w some reinforcing material/mesh. I see ur in NJ too, how is he gonna install a liner now? I put off my dig until spring cause of the temp drop this past week, not gonna get much stretch w it being sub 50degrees out, Id be concerned if you leave like this its gonna get worst over the winter, the ground water w no liner and water against the bottom makes the cracks much worst theres nothing to hold it back if that makes sense.

curious if you dont mind posting how much they charged you for the vermiculite bottom portion of the job? did they remove all of it and redo whole floor or just sections?

 

[catlady]

They charged me 2000.00 for a 16x32 Grecian for the vermeculite. They removed all of it and did the whole pool. Well, at this point, he won't do anything except patch these giant cracks and put a liner in if I give him more money, but I have a contract where the 2nd pay does not get done until the liner is in. So, I may have to take legal action and possibly wind up with a really messed up pool in the Spring. Thanks for the info.