Hello All,
I'm in desperate need for advice.
We have a new construction pool as simple as can be.
Gunite shell, Stonescape Aqua White Mini with Glass finish.
Our troubles started on the day of the Stonescape application. The weather forecast showed a small chance of rain and we discussed this with the crew early in the day but they brushed it off and told us it shouldn't be a problem. Sure enough, it started raining as they were wrapping up and they quickly covered the whole bottom of the pool with plastic and left the site.
It continued to rain and water pooled mostly in the deep end.
On the next morning, the acid wash crew showed up and as they were pressure washing the deep end, 2 large oval areas came right off all the way down to the gunite.
The next day the Stonescape crew came back and determined that the pool is weeping from one of the sides on the wall (they said the rain was not the issue!). They proceeded to drill a hole through the side of the pool at the wall from the inside all the way through the shell then stuck a shop vac in there and sucked all the moisture out. They then prepared 2 mixtures and plugged the hole with layers alternating between the 2 mixtures repeatedly.
There was no communication with us whatsoever as the Stonescape subcontractor refused to talk to us directly and the Pool Builder did not answer our call at the time.
After plugging the hole, they mixed a new batch of Stonescape Aqua White and applied it to the 2 oval areas & the new hole. All in the same visit and immediately started filling the pool with water.
7 days after the pool was filled with water we started noticing the 2 oval areas had a difference in color. Additionally, the patched hole in the wall seemed to have a raised surface.
On the following week, a crack appeared and the hole and the patch started to separate from the wall. (See photo)
We noticed water loss in the pool as we were losing 1.5" every 3 days. A 3rd party performed a bucket test and confirmed this.
We informed the Pool Builder of this and he promised that the Stonescape subcontractor would come out and investigate.
It is now day 40 after filling the pool with water, the Stonescape subcontractor's plan to fix this is:
1. Drain the pool.
2. Re-do the hole patch.
3. Grind down and resurface the whole pool. [Edit: only the top coat will be sanded and redone, no chip out]
(All at their expense)
We are still withholding 20% of the total payment.
When we asked them the purpose of point #3 they explained that that's the only way they would guarantee an even color also (to make sure there are no further issues?)
At this point, our main concern is the water loss and the hole in the wall. The color issue is the last of our concerns.
My question to you is should we let them resurface the whole pool or not? will this reduce the lifetime of the Stonescape?
How will the resurface bond to the newly applied surface?
Any advice you would have to us at this point is very much appreciated. I am sick to my stomach having to deal with such major issues with a NEW CONSTRUCTION pool !!!
(If it matters, we brushed the pool twice a day for the first week and once a day for the 2nd week, and so much plaster was coming out. The pool builder kept telling us it's not required to brush at all. everything I read online said to brush!)
I'm in desperate need for advice.
We have a new construction pool as simple as can be.
Gunite shell, Stonescape Aqua White Mini with Glass finish.
Our troubles started on the day of the Stonescape application. The weather forecast showed a small chance of rain and we discussed this with the crew early in the day but they brushed it off and told us it shouldn't be a problem. Sure enough, it started raining as they were wrapping up and they quickly covered the whole bottom of the pool with plastic and left the site.
It continued to rain and water pooled mostly in the deep end.
On the next morning, the acid wash crew showed up and as they were pressure washing the deep end, 2 large oval areas came right off all the way down to the gunite.
The next day the Stonescape crew came back and determined that the pool is weeping from one of the sides on the wall (they said the rain was not the issue!). They proceeded to drill a hole through the side of the pool at the wall from the inside all the way through the shell then stuck a shop vac in there and sucked all the moisture out. They then prepared 2 mixtures and plugged the hole with layers alternating between the 2 mixtures repeatedly.
There was no communication with us whatsoever as the Stonescape subcontractor refused to talk to us directly and the Pool Builder did not answer our call at the time.
After plugging the hole, they mixed a new batch of Stonescape Aqua White and applied it to the 2 oval areas & the new hole. All in the same visit and immediately started filling the pool with water.
7 days after the pool was filled with water we started noticing the 2 oval areas had a difference in color. Additionally, the patched hole in the wall seemed to have a raised surface.
On the following week, a crack appeared and the hole and the patch started to separate from the wall. (See photo)
We noticed water loss in the pool as we were losing 1.5" every 3 days. A 3rd party performed a bucket test and confirmed this.
We informed the Pool Builder of this and he promised that the Stonescape subcontractor would come out and investigate.
It is now day 40 after filling the pool with water, the Stonescape subcontractor's plan to fix this is:
1. Drain the pool.
2. Re-do the hole patch.
3. Grind down and resurface the whole pool. [Edit: only the top coat will be sanded and redone, no chip out]
(All at their expense)
We are still withholding 20% of the total payment.
When we asked them the purpose of point #3 they explained that that's the only way they would guarantee an even color also (to make sure there are no further issues?)
At this point, our main concern is the water loss and the hole in the wall. The color issue is the last of our concerns.
My question to you is should we let them resurface the whole pool or not? will this reduce the lifetime of the Stonescape?
How will the resurface bond to the newly applied surface?
Any advice you would have to us at this point is very much appreciated. I am sick to my stomach having to deal with such major issues with a NEW CONSTRUCTION pool !!!
(If it matters, we brushed the pool twice a day for the first week and once a day for the 2nd week, and so much plaster was coming out. The pool builder kept telling us it's not required to brush at all. everything I read online said to brush!)
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