Fiberglass pool install

[Ltotes]

Hi there, looking for suggestions. Waited a year for our fiberglass pool installation, finally happened Friday. While watching the workers overheard an argument about the pool not being level. 2 days later found a crack near the steps and water pouring out. The pool company is acting like it’s not a big deal and they will patch it, but also verify the reason for the crack. Should I be concerned? I feel like this is a big deal, but know getting a brand new pool would be a fight and months possibly a year out again and my yard is destroyed. Any suggestions would be helpful!

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

You should be concerned about who will be fixing the crack.

And how did they remediate the situation that caused the crack?

What warranty will you have after the repair? From the pool installer or the pool manufacturer?

Fiberglass Pools - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

@Texas Splash

 

[Ltotes]

The project manager is coming tomorrow to fix the crack. He states that he has also contacted the manufacturer? My husband will be supervising tomorrow to see if indeed the pool is not level. The step end of the pool is also not backfilled with gravel they are being supported by wood. The sides and opposite end is backfilled. I’ll try to attach a picture. I told my husband to ask him how many patches he has done before.

He did tell me that this will not effect the warranty ( we are getting this in writing). I assume through the installer.

Thank you for your speedy reply! They are coming in the morning.

 

[Ltotes]

Picture of the crack, the water is bleeding out of it.

 

[Noreaster]

I am not a pool builder or a pool installer. There are a few things about the above pictures and the situation that are concerning me.
1) The pool is filled way to much compared to its lack of back-fill.
2) That's more than a crack, that's a complete failure of the structure that even ripped the fiberglass strands.
3) The mostly unsupported end should be pushing that joint closed, instead the pieces of wood they jacked it up with was taking weight off of the middle of the pool and it ripped that joint open as its not designed to do that.

Again, i am no pro, but this really looks like install error. I would have the owner of the install company on the phone asap to amke sure he or she is in the loop.

 

[ajw22]

The step end being supported by wood is not a typical installation technique.

I don't see how they are going to get fill under that area and remove the wood without twisting the pool.

Wood cannot be left under the pool or supporting it. Over time the wood will rot and create voids under the pool.

You are not done yet and I think that crack repair is only part of your problems with this install. The crack repair may not survive supporting that area.

 

[Ltotes]

Thank you all so much! He is coming in the morning. I’ll keep you posted how it goes

 

[vtpools]

Fixing the fiberglass is honestly the easy part of this. The gelcoat will be harder to repair and may be noticeable after the repair is completed. Doesn't surprise me at all that it cracked though, as others have said there needs to be more supporting those steps. They'll need to drain the water down to fix the leak, the shell needs to relax as well since it's under a lot of pressure from the weight of the water. When draining the pool, the shell needs to be braced or the backfill removed.
What manufacturer?

 

[Casey]

My first reaction at seeing the crack is not good! These installers failed you big time!!! I hope you are vigilantly getting ahold of the manufacturer and getting them out to your house to fix this. The manufacturer should have a dedicated person to fix this and not your inept pool builder in my opinion. My manufacturer is Imagine and they have dedicated personnel who travel the country to fix Imagine pools.

Honestly, from my research on fiberglass pools and installation, your pool is in big trouble and in danger of catastrophic failure if they do not get the water out of the pool below the steps ASAP!!! That whole step ledge can and will break off. They should have been back filling the whole pool as it filled and not just the deep end!!!

I'm sick seeing this. I would be on a war path over this. How many years does this builder have under his belt installing fiberglass pools? This install tells me not very long. I'm sick for you. You tell them to drain the pool immediately and and tell them you want the manufacturer out there PRONTO.

 

[Texas Splash]

If you haven't done so already, reach out to the manufacture directly (Latham, Viking, whomever). If you do a simple Google search on FG instructions, you'll see what appear to be some serious pitfalls in this project. Base prep, leveling, bracing, partial water fill followed by continuous packing to "lock" the shell in place, followed by more backfill, packing, and leveling. I also agree this appears to be a structural crack, not superficial and solely cosmetic. This installer seems to have made some errors and I would reach out to the manufacture since that's the one who will be involved if there are more issues. This installer may be out of business next month, you never know. Very sorry to see this happening. I hope they make it right for you. Keep us posted.

 

[Casey]

You may also find that the manufacturer will place the blame solely on the pool builder. I hope they are licensed n bonded because they are going to have to buy you a new pool.

 

[Wolfepack88]

Take pictures and videos of everything from every angle. No way in heck would I accept anything less than a new pool and frankly would be concerned about them doing the replacement install. Agree with Casey, I am getting knots in my stomach for you!!

 

[Noreaster]

I hope that the installer is certified with the manufacturer - because if not..... I am not sure how well this will turn out.

 

[Ltotes]

If you haven't done so already, reach out to the manufacture directly (Latham, Viking, whomever). If you do a simple Google search on FG instructions, you'll see what appear to be some serious pitfalls in this project. Base prep, leveling, bracing, partial water fill followed by continuous packing to "lock" the shell in place, followed by more backfill, packing, and leveling. I also agree this appears to be a structural crack, not superficial and solely cosmetic. This installer seems to have made some errors and I would reach out to the manufacture since that's the one who will be involved if there are more issues. This installer may be out of business next month, you never know. Very sorry to see this happening. I hope they make it right for you. Keep us posted.

Update:
Thanks to all the great input, I contacted the installer and mentioned all of the above. He agreed and owned the mistake. He mentioned Friday they were going to backfill the step area with CDF but due to running late into the evening did not have time. He mentioned the employees did not support the pool on this end properly causing the crack.
They drained the pool. He is repairing the out side, Barrier Reef (manufacturer) is coming to repair the gel coating and verify the work on the outside. Barrier Reef will certify the repair, making the 35 year warranty in effect. He honestly made me feel better about situation, could be a pain in the Rear years to come - but will be under warranty.
Question: do I have a leg to stand on asking for a discount?

 

[Casey]

If you don't ask, you'll never know. Your pool builder should have been back filling that pool as the water was going in to support the weight of the water. The fact that he is blaming his workers is irresponsible on his behalf because he needs to be 100% in charge of that whole process. He dropped the ball. I would watch this builder and his work force with a magnifying glass until the build is complete.

 

[Wolfepack88]

If you don't ask, you'll never know. Your pool builder should have been back filling that pool as the water was going in to support the weight of the water. The fact that he is blaming his workers is irresponsible on his behalf because he needs to be 100% in charge of that whole process. He dropped the ball. I would watch this builder and his work force with a magnifying glass until the build is complete.

Agreed, you need to fully understand the rest of the build to know if they "rush" or cut a corner to save time again, lets say on the plumbing. That's what would concern me is their attention to detail vs speed. You shouldn't have to be an expert on all of this, but now I would feel like you need to be. The warranty helps for sure and you need the piece of mind that this team will be doing things by the book. Too big of an investment for it not to be.

 

[Texas Splash]

Reassuring to hear you are making progress. Keep that line of communication open. That's very important. Also glad to hear that BR will do an on-site visit to assess the damage, do some repairs, and certify the warranty.

 

[sktn77a]

Question: do I have a leg to stand on asking for a discount?

I wouldn't go that route. It just might Tick off the builder to the point that he shortcuts other areas of the install. Take the high road - insist that the repair is fully up to the manufacturers standards and get the repair/warranty info included in an amended contract (signed by both the builder and the manufacturer's rep).

 

[Noreaster]

Wondering how you made out...