Finally!! New Pool Startup After Nightmare Build

[Erik13]

Hey Everyone!

After nearly a 2 year build process where the builder completely dropped the ball in every way imaginable, we finally have water in our pool!

We’re on week 3 of water now and I’ve got some questions on how to proceed after doing the prescribed reading. Here’s the rundown so far:

Week 1 - builder didn’t start the equipment or add any chemicals until day 5 of water in the pool. Also didn’t provide us a brush or advise us on anything like they said they would, so brushing didn’t start until day 5 either. Pool/spa only working on main drains since the skimmer was plugged to pressurize the system for inspection.

Week 2 - brushed 2-4x daily, as much as I possibly could. Called a pool tech recommended by a few neighbors that handles a few of the new pools in our neighborhood to do startup chemicals and handle the first month or two since the builder is completely unreliable (they were supposed to handle the first month of maintenance). When he tested (strips) there was zero chlorine and no stabilizer he could see.

Week 3 - Builder came back out, setup automation, removed plug from skimmer, didn’t do much else. Leaves saying they’d come back to put spa jet covers on, and then never comes back, all while leaving the spa emptying out into the pool and the finish exposed for a couple hours until I went out and figured out the valve combo to refill it.

Questions so far:
1. Builder wants to come out this week and add salt. Water went in the main pool April 7/8, the spa April 12 (they finished the spa separately due to poor planning). I’m seeing 30 days recommended everywhere for Pebble finishes, but he’s saying it’s fine while currently we’re at day 17(pool) and 12 (spa). What’s the consensus?

2. Pool tech has been out twice now (two thursdays in a row). His first visit we agreed on terms and he brushed the pool/dumped the pump basket - no chemicals added, which I found odd. Second visit he brushed/dumped basket and then threw a chlorine floater in with a few pucks. From my TFPro kit, tests I ran the day after his visit came up with these figures:

• FC: 1.5
• CC: 0
• pH: 8.2
• TA: 110
• CH: 125
• CYA: 0 (well below 30 on test)

I’m getting to the point of wondering what he’s doing with the chemistry figures all over and seemingly not addressing them, but I know it’s only been two weeks for him. With a new pool is it typical to very slowly adjust chemistry, perhaps starting with chlorine levels? Or would it be safe to add (within calculations) chemicals to begin adjusting these values to where they should be? I’m totally comfortable handling chemicals, so is it just time to cut this guy?

Thanks in advance!

 

[HermanTX]

You would be better to take this over. The pool tech is just doing normal testing - not a start up. Fill water has NO CYA so you have to add stabilizer to increase your CYA The pool tech probably doesn’t carry any.
Has he been adding Muractic Acid (MA) to lower the pH? That is critical on a new plaster.
Have you been following the recommended startup by the plaster mfg? That can be found on the website.
I hope you held back some money from the PB as he completely ghosting you now Which tells me he is fully paid, so you might not have much leverage.

 

[Erik13]

You would be better to take this over. The pool tech is just doing normal testing - not a start up. Fill water has NO CYA so you have to add stabilizer to increase your CYA The pool tech probably doesn’t carry any.
Has he been adding Muractic Acid (MA) to lower the pH? That is critical on a new plaster.
Have you been following the recommended startup by the plaster mfg? That can be found on the website.
I hope you held back some money from the PB as he completely ghosting you now Which tells me he is fully paid, so you might not have much leverage.

Pool tech hasn’t been adding anything other than the chlorine.

Been brushing per startup instructions, but none of the chemical items per PebbleTech have been followed by the builder or the pool tech.

PB isn’t paid up, still owe the last 10% of total cost, and won’t be paying until every punch list item is addressed. They’re trying to tell us we owed them final payment once water went in the pool lol.

 

[HermanTX]

Been brushing per startup instructions, but none of the chemical items per PebbleTech have been followed by the builder or the pool tech.

You can ask the PB why he is not following the Pebbletec start up procedure. Then ask if that affects the warranty.
Glad you are holding back 10%, not only punch list items but you can be a lot more firm when discussing the plaster warranty.
That is, assuming he shows up to actually do the startup procedure.