Plaster failure

[CaveDiver1932]

1) Greg Garrett represents the NPC for technical inquiries from professionals and consumers for cases just like this.
2) Is your pb a member of the NPC?
3) if you did not drain the pool and let sit empty for more than a day or so, Contact Greg and describe the pop offs and politely ask him if this is cause of workmanship failure or pool chemistry issue.
4). If he replies not withstanding a few outliyng causes like drained pool empty for extended period of time, most likely workmanship, bad surface prep, etc, explain that your pb is using the npc and the data Greg supplied to state the delamination/pop offs are results of your water maintenance

It will be interesting how Greg responds.

Good luck.

Was this a resurface or new pool?

It appears pb repaired popoffs. You have more?

Cd

 

[PoolguyinCT]

OP - it would be best form to remove or alter image with Greg’s business card.
Thanks.

 

[dumbcluck]

Thanks guys.
Yes it was a replaster in the pool. Spa was added at the time.
Here are some pictures of his repair job.

 

[Arizonarob]

Is that what it still looks like today? With water in the pool?

 

[dumbcluck]

Those pictures were taken while he was refilling the pool.

 

[kimkats]

NOPE! Just a big, FAT NOPE!

 

[onBalance]

Calcium nodules form on a plaster surface due to cracks in the plaster that develop from bond failure or simply from excessive shrinkage of the plaster coat. The article posted previously explains that. But to explain here also; excessive shrinkage is usually caused by adding too much water to the plaster mix or from applying excessive water while troweling during the plaster application. Neither of those issues are caused by imbalanced water chemistry.

If the bonding problem is so severe, then the plaster may fall off the walls, which is what occurred in this pool. When that happens, nodules do not form in those places. When plaster that has lost its' bond (delaminated) but still remains on the wall, then nodules are likely to appear in time in the cracks. This pool has evidence and proof of a bonding problem.

Some in the plastering industry will claim that the formation of a few small calcium nodules is not considered a defect. And that last sentence in the article blog posted earlier was to simply inform readers that plasterers may not acknowledge that there are signs or problems of a bonding problem with the plaster application when only a few nodules appear.

Fortunately, the NPC's Technical Manual addresses most of the possible reasons for delaminations, and does not claim that unbalanced pool water causes calcium nodules or bond failure or delaminations. That NPC manual may be useful to show the PB.

In response to the Aristone Interiors's instructions, only Method #3 is applicable, accurate, and appropriate. Ignore the other comments.

 

[dumbcluck]

He wants to speak with his expert and get back to me. He has also “reminded “ me that his warranty specifically says “repair or replaster “ which he claims that he did repair and is trying to convince me was a good job. You all saw the pictures.
Any advice on how to handle this?

 

[Txjole]

I’d lawyer up, as bad as I hate to say that.

 

[bdavis466]

Plaster is usually applied in two passes. The first coat should be very thin and is troweled forcefully to push the plaster into the deformities of the shell. The second pass follows and provides the additional thickness (1/2"-3/4") which is then shaped and troweled smooth to the final form of the pool.

If the first pass is applied too thick or too dry of a mix the plaster can slough enough to leave a void (air pocket) that can lead to a delimitation. The reason this is so common on remodels is because the surface has lots of fine loose debris that if not cleaned very well does not allow the initial adhesion of the plaster and the surface is usually much more rough/inconsistent from the prior surface being chipped out. Proper preparation, a good cleaning, a bond coat and a correct mix/application eliminate this issue.

Since the delaminations only occurred on the walls it's obvious that the plaster sloughed in those areas that it delaminated. I bet if you took a hammer and tapped around the pool you'll find several hollow spots that too will eventually delaminate.

 

[kimkats]

Would he like to use his repair on your pool as an ad for his "finest" work???? It would be interesting to see what he says to that question!!!

 

[dumbcluck]

He claims there are no hollow spots and this is the first time he’s ever seen this.
I did ask him if he would be happy if it was his house. No reply.

 

[ajw22]

There is a first time for everyone. So this should be the first time he steps up to make it right. Your PB is playing dumb. Doesn't matter if this is the first time or hundreth time.

 

[dumbcluck]

He left a message saying he wants to meet up this weekend for a little chitchat. This should be interesting.
Just for the record the pb is the one who did the plaster job. He didn’t sub it out.

 

[kimkats]

Is there any way you can have another person there with you to make sure you hear everything? Or record it?

 

[Txjole]

Is there any way you can have another person there with you to make sure you hear everything? Or record it?

Good idea, a well dress friend taking notes, not saying a word.

 

[kimkats]

With goodies and a yummy drink on the table for all! Oh and a smile on everyone's face (fake if needed)

 

[PoolGate]

Wow so sad. He has made his intentions clear that he is not going to re-plaster your pool, which is what it needs. Lawyer up. Depending on what you hear from your lawyer, you might even have the pool redone on your dime and when you get to court I would guess that would all be included in the damages. I cannot imagine he wins this in court. I hesitate to say don't get a lawyer since I think you will not be swimming this season if you don't. You need to bring out the big guns now and show some force. Send him a certified letter now that states what you expect him to do and if you do not hear from him within a week with an acceptable path to a re-plasterer then the next communication will come from your lawyer. Don't mention the BBB as contractors know they are a joke. Do mention all state and local agencies that you will also contact.

 

[dumbcluck]

I will be very surprised at this point if he steps up. He keeps claiming he stands by his work, he’s a 5 star company, he’s not trying to hide, etc. but the proof is in the pudding. He has shown that he will try anything to get out of this.
He has stalled for about a year on this with a pretty lame attempt at a resolution. He didn’t even take care of the newly filled water. He came over in the morning when I wasn’t home stuck the hose in the pool (you saw the pictures) and left. Didn’t even tell me. I haven’t seen him since. That was January 12. I called him when I got home and saw the hose in the pool. I asked him why there was water going in since it obviously wasn’t fixed. He said let’s just try this. I’m going to this seminar to figure out what happened as if it were some sort of voodoo magic that caused it. He told me to send him the bill for the water and chemicals. This was after he tried to tell me that gray growths in my pool were called “modules” and were caused by chemical imbalance. He’s a peach.

 

[ajw22]

See my post #8 on this thread. Your best remedy is to go through the California consumer protection process.