I am a first time pool owner. I did research on pool builders in the area. Ultimately after many good reviews, though certainly not the cheapest, I selected what I thought to be a reputable builder.
***My concern is how picky should I be and where how should I put my foot down. Would love to hear from another builder with experience.
Pool details:
-Inground 36x18' - 3 ft to 6 ft depth
-Vinyl liner
-Fiberglass steps
-Concrete has 5' on two sides, 10' on third side, and 20' on the final side with the fiberglass steps.
Here are my concerns:
1. The fiberglass steps are very obviously not level. The water will sit on the right side of the top step and not the left. There is a 3/4" difference. It did not settle.
2. Additionally, the concrete on the lower side slopes toward the steps, not away (more concrete issues discussed later). The contractor placed thick caulk between the steps and the concrete. He stated the caulk would last ten years. Within a couple days it has major cracks and water can enter.
3. The concrete was poured on a day when heavy rain was expected mid-day. Mid-day the storm came through, after pouring, and they paused. The concrete (especially compared to my back patio done by another company) looks terrible and the concrete company admitted it, apologized, and explained they did the best they could but it had begun drying.
The concrete finish is smooth in some places and rough in others, you can see the lines where they used a trowel, additionally the expansion gaps are not symmetrical from one side to the other and they are not lined up (one goes at an angle left where one is straight).
4. The concrete has cracked at expansion gaps which I expect. There are who cracks in symmetrical locations on each side (one worse than the other).
5. The ladder is not level
6. One light stopped working *This was replaced and no longer an issue.
7. Leak - The pool has been loosing approximately 1 inch of water a day. The contractor was notified and has been working for months to locate the leak. I have filled the pool three times from my well. The leak appears to be in the bottom of the deep end area as water water loss continues when the pool is really low.
The contractor has dug a 5 foot deep trench where the pipes go into the ground.
He cut out and replaced part of the drain line. He took the cut out section to his shop, pressure tested it and said it held pressure.
The contractor has now hired an independent leak detection company who came out last week. They dove the pool and were unable to locate a leak in the liner, seams, or around the drains. They completed a pressure test on the plumbing. The main drain line is not holding pressure but only a very slow leak. Small bubbles were seen coming up from the repaired pipe (water in ground from leak in hole dug around pipes) however only at max pressure. At 2500 there were no bubbles.
The third party leak detection senior staff member is coming back out this week with the contractor to check again.
8. Will I have long term issues from the leak that's been leaking since the end of July? Is there any way to find out now if there are issues. The pool has a one year warranty.... what if it settles from this in two years?
The concrete company stated they would guarantee the concrete from settling or further deteriorated finish for five years instead of one.
Obviously the leak will need to be repaired but do I push the issue with the steps? ladder? concrete?
I know this is lengthy. I appreciate the responses. I have attached photographs
***My concern is how picky should I be and where how should I put my foot down. Would love to hear from another builder with experience.
Pool details:
-Inground 36x18' - 3 ft to 6 ft depth
-Vinyl liner
-Fiberglass steps
-Concrete has 5' on two sides, 10' on third side, and 20' on the final side with the fiberglass steps.
Here are my concerns:
1. The fiberglass steps are very obviously not level. The water will sit on the right side of the top step and not the left. There is a 3/4" difference. It did not settle.
2. Additionally, the concrete on the lower side slopes toward the steps, not away (more concrete issues discussed later). The contractor placed thick caulk between the steps and the concrete. He stated the caulk would last ten years. Within a couple days it has major cracks and water can enter.
3. The concrete was poured on a day when heavy rain was expected mid-day. Mid-day the storm came through, after pouring, and they paused. The concrete (especially compared to my back patio done by another company) looks terrible and the concrete company admitted it, apologized, and explained they did the best they could but it had begun drying.
The concrete finish is smooth in some places and rough in others, you can see the lines where they used a trowel, additionally the expansion gaps are not symmetrical from one side to the other and they are not lined up (one goes at an angle left where one is straight).
4. The concrete has cracked at expansion gaps which I expect. There are who cracks in symmetrical locations on each side (one worse than the other).
5. The ladder is not level
6. One light stopped working *This was replaced and no longer an issue.
7. Leak - The pool has been loosing approximately 1 inch of water a day. The contractor was notified and has been working for months to locate the leak. I have filled the pool three times from my well. The leak appears to be in the bottom of the deep end area as water water loss continues when the pool is really low.
The contractor has dug a 5 foot deep trench where the pipes go into the ground.
He cut out and replaced part of the drain line. He took the cut out section to his shop, pressure tested it and said it held pressure.
The contractor has now hired an independent leak detection company who came out last week. They dove the pool and were unable to locate a leak in the liner, seams, or around the drains. They completed a pressure test on the plumbing. The main drain line is not holding pressure but only a very slow leak. Small bubbles were seen coming up from the repaired pipe (water in ground from leak in hole dug around pipes) however only at max pressure. At 2500 there were no bubbles.
The third party leak detection senior staff member is coming back out this week with the contractor to check again.
8. Will I have long term issues from the leak that's been leaking since the end of July? Is there any way to find out now if there are issues. The pool has a one year warranty.... what if it settles from this in two years?
The concrete company stated they would guarantee the concrete from settling or further deteriorated finish for five years instead of one.
Obviously the leak will need to be repaired but do I push the issue with the steps? ladder? concrete?
I know this is lengthy. I appreciate the responses. I have attached photographs
Last edited:
