Plaster repair job is an eyesore (pic included). How to make better?

Jump to latest Follow Reply
Z

ZeroCool

0
Jan 28, 2016
10
Dallas, TX
First time posting on the forums. I've been a pool owner for only about a year. Hello everyone.

I had 2 leaks fixed around my drains by ALD and they put it back together with white plaster on my pebble tec pool. It's about a 1.5" ring of white around each drain. The white matches the drain covers but is still a real eyesore. I agreed to it so it's not their fault but I don't think I can live with the final result. What do you guys think? What options do I have to make this blend better and be less noticeable?

IMG_6077.jpg IMG_6075.jpg
 
Wy didn't they patch it with a PebbleTek patch? P-Tek makes patching plaster with aggregate just for the purposes of spot patching...

No way to really fix it because you need the exposed aggregate to get the color right. The only option is to drain the pool again, chip out the patch work and replace it with a proper PebbleTek patch to match the existing plaster. I had a cosmetic crack in my spa fixed and they used the P-Tek patch that was the same color as my original P-Tek (Caribbean Blue) but the new plaster color does not match the faded plaster color since the original plaster is 4 years old. It's totally obvious but, over time, the two colors should merge a little better as the newer patch color fades from exposure...that's just life with plaster patches, eventually you need to resurface the entire pool....
 
bobodaclown said:
At first I didn't notice, then I saw the difference. Ouch. OCD kicks in. I think I would have done all 3, so they matched. Not sure but what about using oversized covers or the rings.
Click to expand...

Yeah, OCD is kicking in big time for me. My wife, of course, doesn't see the big problem but it's all I see when I look at the pool now. Oversized covers sounds like a good idea but I did a quick search and didn't come up with anything.
 
kadavis said:
SDX2 - High Flow Safety Drain - Paramount Pool and Spas , these come in two different colors of blue. Did they use actual plaster patch, because most times they use a underwater epoxy
Click to expand...

Thanks! It looks like I could get the SDX2 retro drain covers which the website says are for drains up to 10". I haven't measured my existing drains but if they are 8" (are there standard sizes?) then I don't know if the new ones would be big enough. I need them to completely cover the white for it to make sense. That would be a great solution if they will cover it. I think I'll try calling them tomorrow.

Yes, I drained the pool and they chipped out the drain ring and then put it all back together with plaster patch. If I had known epoxy or something else that left the Pebble Tec in tact was an option I probably would have gone that route. I didn't put enough emphasis on the visual aspect of the fix before hand and hence didn't research alternatives. Let that be a lesson to me! Now I'm scrambling for solutions to fix it or cover it up.
 
This is why we wont do retro VGB without re-plaster. Even a patch of the same material will not always guarantee a un-noticeable match. You can get close i suppose, but it is not worth the aggravation if the customer is not happy. You will wind up loosing money on the job. A redo or fix would "over run" close to the original price.

Age, fading, water chemistry are all variables that can affect the match. None of which you can tell until the patch is made, sets, and filled back up.

Some people refuse this way of repair or upgrade siting that we are trying to (un-necessarily) sell them a plaster job. But in the long run, with a re-plaster, it is a more seamless, better looking repair. Re-plaster also gives the opportunity to "rework" the entire look. Example: we could have combined all three of those lines (in your pool) into one long channel drain. IMO, cleaning up the look of the floor greatly.

Of course any reconfigure must meet with local codes. Yes, VGB is for most intents a federal code, but your local city or county sometimes likes to tweak the code by deciding what types of VGB grates are "legal" in their jurisdiction. IOW, Channel drains may not be legal where you are, and, the covers you currently have are not code in my area(s).

I realize this doesn't help you much. Hopefully someone who is facing a mandatory VGB compliance letter will take all this into consideration.

And unfortunately, i'm afraid you may not be able to get much from ALD. I've known them to be an un-accommodating money making machine. They seem to have no policy for doing anything for free even if it is their fault. They are a franchise. Hopefully they are better to work with in Dallas.

Good luck.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Thread Status
Hello , This thread has been inactive for over 60 days. New postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For better visibility, consider Starting A New Thread.
Top Bottom
Back
Jump to latest Follow Reply