The pool isn’t quite filled all the way yet. I plan to fill it up up to between 1/2 to 2/3 of the way up the skimmer.
There’s only 1 skimmer and due to its location (only a few feet away from the deep end), the water level is very even.
What is the level tolerance for an inground pool?
- Thread starter DoctorHousesCane
- Start date
There’s only 1 skimmer and due to its location (only a few feet away from the deep end), the water level is very even.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,127
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
That is the difference between commercial construction and residential construction. In commercial construction much time is spent in specifying the standards the builder will be held to and in the contracting. Residential construction takes advantage of the lack of experience of the buyer and establishes a trust me, I am the expert, relationship. And there is no agreement between your expectations and what the builder will deliver. So you are stuck with it.
In your business you are dealing with commercial customers with established industry standards and maybe government regulation and oversight. There is no such thing in residential pool construction beyond the APSP standards that are voluntary. If you had been aware of the APSP standards a reasonable question to the builder would be if your pool will be built to the APSP standards and to state that in the contract.
Folks who come here before their build we try and advise on the realities of the residential pool construction in places like Construction Best Practices - Further Reading
How much do you still owe the builder?
The pool come with any pool cleaner? Figure out what freebie you can ask the builder to give you. He may be more willing to give you some free equipment rather then cash.
Yes, I realize that is the harsh reality of working with contractors. I can't help but feel powerless and frustrated. Last payment milestone (finish of plaster) of $14,000. They gave me a free pool pole and maintenance kit which have a total retail value of $200
The local building code might address the level issue.
Most cities adopt the published industry standards.
If the city code addresses the issue or has adopted the published standard, then you can compel compliance.
Even if the city building code does not address the issue, you can request compliance and sue to compel compliance or recover damages.
Check with the local inspector to see what they have to say about the issue.
See what the builder has to say about the issue.
The builder should meet published industry standards.
Most cities adopt the published industry standards.
If the city code addresses the issue or has adopted the published standard, then you can compel compliance.
Even if the city building code does not address the issue, you can request compliance and sue to compel compliance or recover damages.
Check with the local inspector to see what they have to say about the issue.
See what the builder has to say about the issue.
The builder should meet published industry standards.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,127
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Let the builder know you are not happy with the tile situation.
Wait on figuring out the compensation. You have not yet seen if all your equipment works and get through your plaster start-up period.
Who is doing the plaster start-up? What start-up guide is being followed?
Plaster Start-Up Guides - Further Reading
www.troublefreepool.com
Plaster Installation and Maintenance - Further Reading
www.troublefreepool.com
What is in the maintenance kit?
We recommend you get your own pool test kit - Taylor K-2006C or TFT Test Kits
And read...
Pool Care Basics Archives
Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!
www.troublefreepool.com
Let the builder know you are not happy with the tile situation.
Wait on figuring out the compensation. You have not yet seen if all your equipment works and get through your plaster start-up period.
Who is doing the plaster start-up? What start-up guide is being followed?
Plaster Start-Up Guides - Further Reading
Plaster Installation and Maintenance - Further Reading
What is in the maintenance kit?
We recommend you get your own pool test kit - Taylor K-2006C or TFT Test Kits
And read...
Pool Care Basics Archives
Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!
I will let the builder know and ask what their recommendation is but I think I have a good idea on how they'll respond... probably something along the lines of "what do you want us to do? It is what it is, and no, we're not tearing it out for less than 3/4" deviation"
The pool builder has scheduled someone to come in tomorrow to do the plaster start-up. I don't know what guide is being followed.
The maintenance kit is "PoolStyle 5 piece maintenance kit" which includes a brush, net, liner vac head, and basic ph & chrlorine test kit. It's definitely not TFT or Taylor K. I'll be honest and I know this is blasphemy but, I'm not sure if I'm all that interested in maintaining my own pool. My friend has a pool guy he's happy with for $200/month and I plan on using him as well.
I will do so. What would you recommend if the pool builder doesn't budge? Litigation?
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,127
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Good luck with that.
We would rather help you prevent problems then try and help you fix them after they occur. We have thousands of members who eventually fired their pool guy and adopted TFP methods. There are a few good pool guys out there and maybe your friend has one of them.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,127
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
@Dirk can advise you on contractor litigation in California.
I doubt you have a case any attorney will take over 3/4".
Check local building code and let us know what it says.
Let us know what the inspector says.
Let us know what the builder says.
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,934
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Then the biggest concern I would have is mute. There are real issues when the centerlines of the skimmers are off, causing an imbalance between the skimmer. Risk to your equipment is minimized.
The first step is to contact the builder and tell them that you want it within 1/4" as specified in the industry standards and ask them what would it take to make it right.
Is the builder a member of The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance or other trade industry group?
If yes, contact them to see what they say.
They can pressure a member to adhere to their standards.
Some cities have a contractor insurance fund to help with defects that the builder will not fix.
Some cities require a bond for contractors.
Does the builder have a bond?
See what the bond company has to say.
Check with the builder licensing board and see what they have to say about the issue.
You can file a complaint against the builder if necessary.
Does the builder have Professional Errors and Omissions Insurance?
See what they have to say.
Is the builder a member of The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance or other trade industry group?
If yes, contact them to see what they say.
They can pressure a member to adhere to their standards.
Some cities have a contractor insurance fund to help with defects that the builder will not fix.
Some cities require a bond for contractors.
Does the builder have a bond?
See what the bond company has to say.
Check with the builder licensing board and see what they have to say about the issue.
You can file a complaint against the builder if necessary.
Does the builder have Professional Errors and Omissions Insurance?
See what they have to say.
So at this point, I suppose the problem has been narrowed down to be purely aesthetics?
How would I find out if they're part of trade group besides asking them? Is there a membership lookup for that kind of stuff?
Yes, the contractor is licensed and bonded. But I have no idea if they have professional errors and omissions insurance. Is that different from just regular insurance that contractors carry?
I'm going to contact the inspector who approved build. I think I have his business card somewhere.
By the way, thanks for spelling things out for me! Much appreciated.
The pool builder will come by on Monday to chat.
1) Look on their website as most builders will want to display their associations.
2) Ask them.
3) Use the Find-a-Member tool on the Trade association websites.
Home - California Pool & Spa Association
CPSA, the California Pool & Spa Association™, is the statewide umbrella trade association designed to promote the industry and to educate the public; local and state regulatory agencies; and, the California Legislature on critical issues such as water and energy conservation, water safety and...
cpsa.phta.org
PHTA Member Companies
For more than half a century, PHTA has been serving members and the public with critical industry knowledge that ranges from sound regulatory practice to industry trends and consumer attitudes. Since 1983, PHTA is the only industry organization accredited by the American National Standards...
portal.phta.org
California Pool Association | Pool & Spa Business Insurance
The California Pool Association (CPA) is the association for all pool and spa professionals, providing access to affordable business insurance and more.
capoolassociation.com
Home
E&O is different from general liability.
What is Errors & Omissions Insurance?
As an expert, you must adhere to certain standards and best practices for your industry. If a client believes you made a mistake or oversight, they could claim that you didn’t meet those standards and sue your company for financial damages. Errors and omissions insurance protects you in the event that a client accuses your business of making a mistake (an error) or failing to do something (an omission), even if that claim proves to be groundless.
Errors and omissions insurance, also known as E&O insurance and professional liability insurance, helps protect your business from lawsuits that claim you made a mistake in your professional services.
RoyR
Bronze Supporter
Interesting how everyone seems to infer the the OP should just accept the non level water…as a pool builder, this is your thing! Like putting oil in a car for a mechanic, sigh!
I would keep that last payment till the pool builder figures out how he is going to level the water! As the pool contractor, this was one of the main things he had to verify… is the pool level???
The skimmer looks to high to me (water low) but it’s not clear from the picture. If it was me, I would take out the diamond tile, and replace it with something that avoids my brain seeing the level…make them all white.
I would keep that last payment till the pool builder figures out how he is going to level the water! As the pool contractor, this was one of the main things he had to verify… is the pool level???
The skimmer looks to high to me (water low) but it’s not clear from the picture. If it was me, I would take out the diamond tile, and replace it with something that avoids my brain seeing the level…make them all white.
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Yeah, I feel like I'm in the twilight zone. Like, why should I accept such a variance in the level? Why should I hold any liability for remediation or the lack thereof? Why should the onus be on the customer to QC their work to make sure the tools they're using are calibrated correctly and they are remembering to QC their work? What's the point of the PM if I'm needing to do it every step of the way?
At the time of the photo the pool was not completely full. It is now and the water is about even leveled. No real concerns there, but I'm more or less convinced that this is a purely aesthetic issue that I need to either accept or push for resolution whether it's a complete tear out and redo (unlikely) or some type of compensation.
I'd really hate for the deco tiles to go away. We love that feature, but I totally see what you're saying. the center grout line emphasizes the unevenness.
One thing to consider is that maybe the pool shifted and became unlevel.
Unlikely, but possible if you have ground water.
Unlikely, but possible if you have ground water.