Looking for advice regarding pool plaster nightmare

[voidpointer]

My situation is a complete mess right now, and I'm truly at a loss. It's been years of frustration with pool contractors, and the nightmare just keeps going.

I'll skip most of the backstory, but essentially a second pool builder finished my project in early 2023, handling only the plastering phase (everything else was completed by a different contractor). By February 2024, I discovered calcium nodules forming on the plaster walls in my spa, though not in the pool. After extensive conversations with experts on this forum, particularly onBalance, I've learned these issues stem from delamination and cracks due to improper plaster application, along with pigment loss in normal chlorinated water. During the warranty investigation, we discovered the builder's plastering subcontractor didn't source the pigment from the manufacturer as required by the brand specifications.

When I confronted my pool builder about these problems, he completely ghosted me—despite previously guaranteeing a "lifetime warranty" on the plaster. I suspect what he actually meant was the warranty provided through the manufacturer, but now that he knows his plaster guy messed up and the manufacturer won't honor the warranty, he'd be financially responsible.

I've threatened legal action, but still get zero response. At this point, I have no realistic expectation that the builder will take responsibility. Now I'm faced with deciding my next steps. I could pursue small claims court or send a scary attorney letter, but all of that will likely turn into an expensive battle.

What should I do about the plaster itself? Should I just live with the problems? Should I consider replastering just the spa while tolerating the color loss issues in the main pool?

If replastering is recommended (whether or not I recover damages), I need advice on finding a reliable plaster applicator in North Dallas, TX. Having been legally entangled with TWO different pool builders for the SAME pool, I am COMPLETELY DONE with pool builders in general. They're shady and I don't trust them whatsoever. They're just useless middlemen who fight you while skimming money off the top. How can I find a plaster applicator to work with directly? How do I verify their work quality? How do I ensure they'll do things RIGHT (properly removing old plaster, mixing correctly, applying properly, and following manufacturer specifications)?

I wish I'd been smarter and more involved from the beginning, but I guess that's the price I pay for naively assuming pool builders would simply do their job correctly.

I hate the thought of spending thousands replastering a 2-year-old pool, but I'm hoping you all can provide some perspective. I'm obviously very emotional about this whole situation and could use some guidance on where to go from here.

Thanks for all your support with this issue over the years, and for any advice you can offer now.

 

[Bperry]

My situation is a complete mess right now, and I'm truly at a loss. It's been years of frustration with pool contractors, and the nightmare just keeps going.

I'll skip most of the backstory, but essentially a second pool builder finished my project in early 2023, handling only the plastering phase (everything else was completed by a different contractor). By February 2024, I discovered calcium nodules forming on the plaster walls in my spa, though not in the pool. After extensive conversations with experts on this forum, particularly onBalance, I've learned these issues stem from delamination and cracks due to improper plaster application, along with pigment loss in normal chlorinated water. During the warranty investigation, we discovered the builder's plastering subcontractor didn't source the pigment from the manufacturer as required by the brand specifications.

When I confronted my pool builder about these problems, he completely ghosted me—despite previously guaranteeing a "lifetime warranty" on the plaster. I suspect what he actually meant was the warranty provided through the manufacturer, but now that he knows his plaster guy messed up and the manufacturer won't honor the warranty, he'd be financially responsible.

I've threatened legal action, but still get zero response. At this point, I have no realistic expectation that the builder will take responsibility. Now I'm faced with deciding my next steps. I could pursue small claims court or send a scary attorney letter, but all of that will likely turn into an expensive battle.

What should I do about the plaster itself? Should I just live with the problems? Should I consider replastering just the spa while tolerating the color loss issues in the main pool?

If replastering is recommended (whether or not I recover damages), I need advice on finding a reliable plaster applicator in North Dallas, TX. Having been legally entangled with TWO different pool builders for the SAME pool, I am COMPLETELY DONE with pool builders in general. They're shady and I don't trust them whatsoever. They're just useless middlemen who fight you while skimming money off the top. How can I find a plaster applicator to work with directly? How do I verify their work quality? How do I ensure they'll do things RIGHT (properly removing old plaster, mixing correctly, applying properly, and following manufacturer specifications)?

I wish I'd been smarter and more involved from the beginning, but I guess that's the price I pay for naively assuming pool builders would simply do their job correctly.

I hate the thought of spending thousands replastering a 2-year-old pool, but I'm hoping you all can provide some perspective. I'm obviously very emotional about this whole situation and could use some guidance on where to go from here.

Thanks for all your support with this issue over the years, and for any advice you can offer now.

If the issue is only in the spa, I’d leave the rest alone. Losing color probably wouldn’t be a reason to replace anything f as it’s a somewhat common issue. Calcium nodules would be another thing if water is leaking through the shell.

I’d try visiting a few local pool shops and ask if they have a contractor reference.

 

[Newdude]

I wish I'd been smarter and more involved from the beginning, but I guess that's the price I pay for naively assuming pool builders would simply do their job correctly.

Things go south, sometimes even beyond anyone's control. And with 3 parties to pass blame (manufacturer, PB, installer), it can get ugly quick.

No amount of homework can make things go smoothly and any one of the 3 parties will only eat so much loss from the other 2.

That's in a perfect world. Then there are crooks out there too, from all 3 parties.

I've threatened legal action, but still get zero response.

That toothpaste cannot go back in the tube. Once it's said outloud, any smart builder expects any communications to become part of the lawsuit.

I could pursue small claims court or send a scary attorney letter, but all of that will likely turn into an expensive battle.

Only you can decide how much grief and expense you can take in order to possibly have a judge agree with you. There are no guarantees that you'll recover your loses, or even one penny, even with a successful judgement.

 

[HermanTX]

If replastering is recommended (whether or not I recover damages), I need advice on finding a reliable plaster applicator in North Dallas, TX. Having been legally entangled with TWO different pool builders for the SAME pool, I am COMPLETELY DONE with pool builders in general.

Find an authorized installer of NPT plaster. I looked on the website and although there is a section to search for contractors, nothing came up for your zip code within 100miles. Maybe it is not working properly. . However, there are 2 NPT showrooms - one in Dallas and other in Ft. Worth. I would visit and request an authorized list of contractors. Then contact one of them to come provide you an evaluation. If your current PB or subcontractor is an authorized contractor, you may have some recourse against NPT themselves to honor the warranty or at least have the subcontractor removed. However if he is not on the authorized list then your hope is to have a proper contractor evaluate the issue and make recommendations

If it is only your spa, I would be inclined to do nothing now unless there is a proper recommendation from NPT.

 

[kimkats]

BOOOOOOOOOOOO! HISSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! GURRRRRRRRRRRRR! and MANY adult words for this happening!!!

Saying that I would do as @HermanTX said and talk to an authorized installer of NPT plaster and go from there.

My gut says you will end up leaving things alone until the plaster NEEDS to be replaced down the road due to age.

 

[JJ_Tex]

Hey neighbor, sorry to hear about your issues. The good news is that there should be tons of companies to work with as seemingly everyone in our area has a pool. If I were in your shoes I would:

1. Look at your contract with the PB, and any other paperwork you have and determine if you have any legal recourse and what specifically you have in writing regarding disputes and warranties.

2. Contact the installer directly, if you have not already, and see if they can give you any palatable options.

3. Find an independent plaster company. I have pebbletec, but there are many authorized installers in DFW in the link below that are not exclusive to PebbleTec. My logic is that if they went through the training on PT to become certified, they would also have a clue about other products including yours.

Find an Authorized PebbleTec Installer Near You

Use our convenient map tool to Find an Authorized PebbleTec Installer near you and insist on Real PebbleTec Pool Finishes!

pebbletec.com

After you have all of the info above, then its time to make some decisions.

I will caution you that if you go down the legal route, be prepared to stop and cut your losses at any point in the process. I have a good friend who was remodeling his house and a simple botched sheetrock job turned a $10k job into a $60k mess with the lawyers. He ended up winning the lawsuit, but ultimately the contractor went back to Mexico and he hasn't been able to collect a dime and had to pay another contractor more than the original $10k to do the job right.

 

[ajw22]

Life is too short. Going down the legal path will only fund lawyers' pools.

If there are no functional issues, the spa and pool do not leak, then enjoy them and chalk it up to a learning experience.