Help! Cracks in the NEW plaster NEW Pool

[Cdrag]

Hello there - Our new pool plaster is cracked The same day we filled the pool we saw the cracks, and then next day after we filled it was very apparent that there were cracks all over the plaster. It's been about 2 weeks since....

Pictures attached with them working on the sundeck section is at 9:30 AM, the pictures with them working on the spa plaster is around 4pm and after that they put acid in the pool and they finished at around 7:30pm and started filling the pool immediately. I attached the weather that day below as well.

The pictures with the water are how the cracks look right now.

We had a meeting with the contractor, plaster supplier rep and the plaster team. They recommended we start the pool and let it "cure" for a month and then sand the plaster to remove any cracks. If it doesn't remove the cracks, then we do a full chip out and replaster.

1) Posting here to get any advice or see if anyone has experience with this type of cracking and why it could have happened?
2) Also when we turn on the blower - the pressure it coming out of the 4 holes on the bottom of the spa and not the 6 therapy jets. any idea why this may be happening?


Shape: rectangular
Dimension: 12'x34'
Depth: Min 3.6' Max 5'
Volume: 11,500 Gallons Pool, 715 Gallons Spa
Equipment:
• (4) Jandy Hydrocool 24w 150' color nichless light (3 in Pool, 1 in Spa)
• (1) Jandy Digital TrueClear salt chlorination system
• (1) Jandy Plus Pump 2.5HP Variable Speed Pump (pool) (to Engineer's Specifications)
• (1) Jandy CS Series 340 sq ft cartridge filter (to Engineer's Specifications)
• (1) Jandy 340 sq ft cartridge filter (to Engineer's Specifications)
• (1) Jandy Pro Series Blower 2 HP (spa) to support 6 therapy jets in spa
• (1) Jandy bubbler with Hydrocool 24w 150' color nichless light (1 in sun deck)
• (1) Intermatic 2 Speed Timer Mechanism
• (1) Jandy Titanium Electric Heat Pump 132K-137K BTU\
• All PVC Schedule 40 pipe and fittings.

• (2) 32” channel pool main drain on 2.5” suction line with color match frame and grate.
• (1) wide mouth surface skimmers on one 2” suction line.
• (1) 2” vacuum suction line.
• Jandy neverlube valves for plumbing installation.
• Overflow - Built in wall automatic surface skimmer.
• Waste water disposal - To fitting on filter.
• Filtration system - As required with all necessary valves, fittings, and gauges.
• (6) Therapy jets in spa.

 

[Poolbreh]

Thats pretty bad. I don’t think any amount of sanding will help and if it’s not addressed it will start forming calcium nodules where the cracks are. @onBalance has written many great posts on plaster. Diagnosing Pool Plaster Problems
If you post pics of the equipment we can help with the blower problem. Sounds like you have floor jets and therapy jets.

 

[Cdrag]

Thank you! thats a great post. Sounds like i have "crazing". Here are pictures of the equipment. I appreciate any help.

 

[onBalance]

I agree with Poolbreh.
Those cracks are far worse and more serious than what is known as normal crazing or craze cracking. Something with the plastering work went wrong.

 

[Poolbreh]

So the floor jets are probably spa return and water fall is most likely therapy jets. You can confirm by isolating the valves so the return only goes to waterfall and turn blower on. I would have plumbed it differently with floor and therapy jets on the right side of diverter and everything pool on the left. Fountain looks like bubbler.

 

[Cdrag]

I agree with Poolbreh.
Those cracks are far worse and more serious than what is known as normal crazing or craze cracking. Something with the plastering work went wrong.

Thank you! Any advice on chip-out and replaster? Also acid washing the fresh plaster - is this recommended?

 

[MAPR-Austin]

Thank you! Any advice on chip-out and replaster? Also acid washing the fresh plaster - is this recommended?

Do you remember if they wet the pool shell prior to applying the plaster? If they put it on dry during the heat of the day with no shade tarp in Florida...I could see the plaster drying too fast and cracking.

Also mixing in barrels like that you it's easy to get too much water in the mix, which can make it weak.

A light acid wash is fine same day as long as the material is fully hard and care is taken.

Are there any cracks in the spa?