NJNJ

Hi, The ground in this area is "Marl" or clay based. All pool builders that I spoke with have an extra charge if they have to control water...meaning...if they dig and find underground water, they will have to use stone/gravel or build a French drain or a similar process to control the water so that the pool base does not crack. In my case, the pool base has cracked 3 times and in each case, immediately after the repair was made, a crack develops in the same area. They now tell me that this is normal and since the most recent crack is relatively small, that it should be fine. The pool is open and we are swimming(vinyl liner covers the crack) but I suspect that the crack will grow in size over time, just like the others did. The final payment for this project is due upon completion and all work is warranted for 3 years; once I make that final payment...I suspect getting any repairs made will be like pulling teeth. Construction began in April/2010 and in my mind, there should be no cracks in a brand new pool. Thanks.

Thanks Bill. I agree that this does not seem normal; especially since it has a crack/collapse that has been repaired in the same area a total of 3 times now and this is the first time I am being told that these cracks in the foundation are normal. This is new construction. This crack happens to be in the deep end but on the angled wall that transitions from the bottom of the deep end to the verticle steel wall of the deep end. It is under the liner and visible and extends about 5 feet. I have been billed an extra $3,000 for encountering water so that they can properly control the water...this I expected but I did not expect to ask to pay more. Would you agree that the initial charge of $3,000 should cover this water control issue? Thanks again!

Hello, I just had a new in ground vinyl liner pool installed (4/2010 & still not done) and a big sinkhole developed in the corner of the pool once water was added. The pool contractor then fixed that problem but another big crack/collapse developed in the same corner. They then fixed that and now another crack has developed although this is a smaller crack than the others. Each repair consisted of taking out the cracked sections of vermiculite concrete and loading stone in the hole and then covering back up with new vermiculite. The pool contractor charged an extra $3000 to control water and this was stipulated in the contact and I actually expected the charge would apply. The pool contractor is now telling me that these cracks are "Normal and since it is not getting bigger" it should be fine. We are swimming and using the pool. I don't think they properly controlled the water in the first place and now they are telling me that they can also dig a ditch, fill it with gravel and divert the underground water away but there will be an EXTRA charge. My question is this...is it normal to have cracks in the concrete from day one of having an in ground vinyl liner pool? The contractor tells me it is but I don’t buy it! Anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks,