PebbleFina - install issue

[Icek8s]

Has anyone had trouble with PebbleFina installation? We had PebbleFina installed on an approximately 30 year old previously plastered rock pool. Today (day 8 after fill) there is an area in the deep end of the pool where it appears that a maybe quarter size area of the PebbleFina finish is missing or dented in - it’s hard to tell from the surface of the pool - but the dent in the PebbleFina can be felt with the pool brush. Our pool installer is coming Monday to look at the issue, but we want to research the issue so we are better informed about the possible cause, repair process, etc before the installer comes.
The area where the PebbleFina seems to be missing was very near the area the hose was positioned during the fill and that area has been modeled since the fill.
Thanks for any advice or input!

 

[Icek8s]

Here’s a photo of the issue taken this evening with the pool light on. It looks like it might actually be more than 1 dent or hole in the PebbleFina surface.

 

[Icek8s]

Looking for ideas as to what might be going on in this area of our pool. (See pictures.)
Pool was built about 30 years ago - and about 10 days ago the pool was replastered with PebbleFina. The area of the discoloration has been apparent since the day the pool was filled, and seems to be where the hose was placed during the fill. A few days ago the holes or indentations seem to have appeared in that area and seem to be getting progressively worse. The surface in this area seems to be getting rougher from what we can tell. We’re also finding loose pebbles in the pool as well which we assume are coming from this area. We’ve been very diligent about the water chemistry and nothing seems to be out of the ordinary.
The replaster company is planning to send a diver to investigate the area soon.

We’re hoping to be as informed as possible before then so we can make the best decision for addressing the issue. Anyone have any thoughts as to what could be going on with the pool finish?
Thanks so much!

 

[JamesW]

That doesn't really look like pebble.

Check with the plaster manufacturer for their opinion.

 

[Smalone]

Following

 

[Icek8s]

Anyone have experience with having a newly refinished pool drained, sanded, and patched? How did it turn out?

Our pool was refinished with Pebblefina 25 days ago and there has been a discolored area in the pool since the fill and indentations/holes, plus loose sandy Pebblefina pieces coming from this area.

 

[kimkats]

Do they have any idea why this one area is so off?

I will tell you that the patch may not match as it will be hard if not impossible to get the dye mix just right.

 

[Icek8s]

They don’t seem to know why the area is having such an issue. We’ve been told by 2 of their employees that maybe a leaf fell into that area during plastering, but that seems like a strange explanation to us.

We aren’t very pleased with the installer’s proposed remedy and are doubtful that it will work. Don’t feel that we should have to settle for a very substandard job, but the installer seems convinced that their proposed remedy - draining, sanding, and patching is how they want us to proceed.

 

[kimkats]

sigh..................well get everything in writing asap..............then let them do their fix with it written out your expectations of said finish and how you expect to look in the end.

 

[JamesW]

Check with the plaster manufacturer for their opinion.

Contact Us - Amazing PebbleTec pool products and even better service.

Send us message and please provide as many details about your pool inquiry.

www.pebbletec.com

 

[Icek8s]

sigh..................well get everything in writing asap..............then let them do their fix with it written out your expectations of said finish and how you expect to look in the end.

Yesterday we put together a document with all our concerns, questions, pictures, etc, and sent it to the installation company and met with them again today.
Today the installer eventually became agreeable to refinishing the pool, so we feel like we are making progress, but we need to find out more about his proposed remedy.
Since the Pebblefina is only 26 days old, they now plan to drain the pool, chip out the areas of concern (along with chipping out under the tiles, fittings, etc.) Then apply a bond coat and then another layer of Pebblefina.
They don’t plan to do anything to the spa since the Pebblefina there currently seems acceptable.
Anyone know if there any downsides to this proposed remedy?

 

[kimkats]

It needs to be a FULL chip out on the whole pool (spa can stay)............here is why. Some day down the road MANY years you will need new plaster. When that time comes the plaster company will have to chip out TWO layers of plaster as you can only have two layers at a time. Yes you can plaster over old plaster BUT not over two layers of plaster SO what that will mean to you is it costing YOU extra when this happens.

 

[Icek8s]

What are some tips for getting a good pool surface finish? Anything we should watch for or request as our pool is being replastered?

Our pool was refinished with PebbleFina less than a month ago and the installer has just agreed to replaster / re-Pebblefina the pool (there is significant surface deterioration in an area near the initial fill).

-Is it fine to just chip out the problem area, bond coat, and then put the new Pebblefina over the Pebblefina that was installed about a month ago. Any downsides to this?
-Can just the pool be refinished without redoing the spa? (The installer is proposing to leave the spa as is.)
-Any tips to decrease modeling with Pebblefina?

We’re a little frustrated to have to go through the replastering process again, but glad the installer agreed to the replaster. But we want to make sure everything’s done right this time around so our finish looks as good as it can! Any ideas are appreciated! Thanks!

 

[ajw22]

The downside to just chipping out the problem area is there could be more installation problems in areas that are just not as obvious. All the areas of your plaster are suspect. Your new layer of plaster will only be as good as the surface it is put on.

Read...

Plaster Installation and Maintenance - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Icek8s]

It needs to be a FULL chip out on the whole pool (spa can stay)............here is why. Some day down the road MANY years you will need new plaster. When that time comes the plaster company will have to chip out TWO layers of plaster as you can only have two layers at a time. Yes you can plaster over old plaster BUT not over two layers of plaster SO what that will mean to you is it costing YOU extra when this happens.

Thanks for the info!
The installer is telling us that doing another full chip out only about a month after the initial one is likey to weaken the gunite pool shell and potentially cause more problems. Is that true?
They seemed to be using jackhammers to chip out our old plaster. I’ve read that there are other ways to remove the plaster as well - hydroblast, etc.

 

[Icek8s]

The downside to just chipping out the problem area is there could be more installation problems in areas that are just not as obvious. All the areas of your plaster are suspect. Your new layer of plaster will only be as good as the surface it is put on.

Read...

Plaster Installation and Maintenance - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Definitely a good point. Thanks!
No one seems to know why our Pebblefina is disintegrating so badly in this area in the deep end of the pool.

 

[JamesW]

What does Pebbletec say about what should be done?

 

[Icek8s]

What does Pebbletec say about what should be done?

We haven’t talked to PebbleTech yet. We plan to very soon. We want to find out pros and cons of the installer’s proposed solution so we can be as informed as possible when talking with PebbleTec.

 

[JamesW]

We haven’t talked to PebbleTech yet.

It's their warranty, probably need to do it how they say. If the current layer is coming off, the new plaster will fail.