Plaster finish question

[panic_button]

First build, and so far everything went really smooth and the PB is following the schedule. Setup, dig, plumbing and gunite went as planned and on time. A few hick ups they brought #3 bar instead of #4 per contract, a call to the PB and #4 delivered no questions asked in time for the rebar team. The did tear up some landscaping due to not listening where the septic tanks were located when running the plumbing, and leaving trash everywhere.

Now the bad, the tanning ledge is only 7.5" without plaster. Before they shot the gunite it was over 12" from the rebar to the top of the beam. We were told the water depth would be between 6"-9". They ran out of gunite and did not finish the last step they said they will come back and do it. Also it looks like the used a lot of rebound to fill in around the skimmers, benches and some spots on the deck. When I wet it down, it soaks in like a sponge, and on the beam it runs right through to the bottom of the beam. The finish on the rest of the pool is pretty rough and uneven with spots that do not drain and hold large puddles of water. They squared off one skimmer and on the other they rounded the corners, 1 deep bench has a nice shape the other looks like a 3 year old formed it.

Meeting with the PB's super today to go over the issues, but the PB says that there is no way they shot the tanning ledge that shallow even after I sent him some pictures.

 

[ajw22]

You have to measure the tanning ledge water depth to the middle of the skimmer.

Roughness in the gunite is normal. It helps the plaster stick to it and the plaster will smooth it all out.

There clearly was some sloppy craftsmanship. What did the PB super say?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Your user name is perfect for you...

What I see is more or less normal and the plaster will level everything off and it will look fine..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[beez74]

looks like mine did...jus means thicker plaster in those spots. i'm sure the plaster folks dont like the extra work but they do it and make it smooth

 

[panic_button]

The PB was out today, and confirmed that that depth is to shallow, and the benches are not the same. The first thing he mentioned was adding 3" to the beam. He did try to say that the bar was too shallow. Based on the reading here, I asked wouldn't the skimmer be totally covered? And I showed him pictures of the rebar and how deep it was. After about 30 seconds, he said yes the skimmers woud be totally covers and said the only real thing they could do is jack hammer the tanning ledge to the correct level and remove the benches and stairs in the shallow end and start over, and use hydraulic cement to fix the deep end benches so they are uniform. No questions asked, no mention of any extra charges, and said the crew will be here tomorrow to correct everything, and that someone was a little heavy on shooting the tanning ledge. He said to expect about a 1 week delay in the schedule. Because of the delay they are coating my patio to match the pool deck at no cost.

Without the info from past posts, I would lost on where to go, thanks everyone!

 

[ajw22]

Take lots of pics of the work. Especially how they join any new structures to the shell.

 

[bmoreswim]

I'm glad he is being responsive and taking ownership of the issues. Not simple fixes but also not rare. A bit of deconstruction then you will be back where you want to be. Sorry for the trouble and delay. Some issues like this don't see such an accommodating PB.

My only item to be sure of is that no rebar is left too close to the surface where it can show through the plaster as rust.

 

[Flying Tivo]

Is raising the skimmer an option?

 

[panic_button]

The gunite crew shot 5 extra inches on the tanning ledge. Instead of having 8-9" of water with a 12" depth, I have 7" without plaster. The PB's crew was out today, after 5 hours and 2 cutoff saws they fixed a 1'x 8' section. After that, it's the benches and the stairs, adjusting to the correct heights. It's going to be a long week for them.

 

[panic_button]

Major progress for 2 days, 7"-8" chipped out and 2" added to smooth out and level the ledge.

 

[panic_button]

Finally pouring the deck tomorrow, weather permitting.

 

[PlaysARobin]

Goodness.... Talk about a journey the long way around.

 

[panic_button]

Deck poured!

 

[panic_button]

The deck crew knocked it out of the park! It's a shame that on Tuesday the kool deck goes on...

 

[ajw22]

Nice. How did you keep paw prints off the freshly poured deck?

 

[panic_button]

Leashes until today and out the front door(deck poured yesterday). 94° today. so it's safe to walk on now...

 

[panic_button]

They applied the plaster today (KrystalKrete aquamarine), acid washed and then power washed the pool. We've started filling it, and noticed where the plaster has dried out it looks like they failed to pressure wash certain areas, should we be concerned?