I Need Help And Advice Please!

[whirlwind]

This might be a little long but I want to give all details.

We purchased a pool 24 x 54 Scotsman above ground, 20 gauge liner , propane pool heater, and hayward pump, Where we purchased the pool they gave me a name of someone who is a contractor but also installs their pools, naturally we pay him seperate. He came out gave me a price of $1900.00 that was to level the area one part of the yard had to be dug down about 1 foot and a half , 3/4 of the pool had no dig out behind it, that was for plumbing electrical., connecting everything etc., etc., , I said okay figuring they have been doing pools for these people for 3 years, ( well let me add I was having a deck and porch roof also by these guys, I had gotten an estimate for this) Okay now I gave you some background.

1st off they laid the sand started the installation, but it was only 65 degrees that day and when adding water, it was so cold the walls were contracting in., they had the water people stop putting it in., it warmed up next day, then they add all the water and the walls were all fine. I asked him what do we do about the area that was dug out so much as right next to the pool mayber 1 foot is the dirt wall where they dug., he advised he was going to lay french drain pipe all around the pool , he didn't know how much good it would do except for the back as everything was level., this is what he said., so he brought the black flex holey pipe and 2 truck loads of pea gravel., he laid the pipe and covered it all around the pool with pea gravel naturally the one end had about 1 and 1 have of pea stone the rest was about 4 - 6 inches he put it. So., I was down the pool place with my water sample and advised them how they took care of everything around the pool with pea gravel, the lady looked at me and said., i must call him as that is voiding the warranty of the pool., there has to be a retaining wall and a french drain all around they are not allowed to back fill like that. By the time I came home she had talked to the contractor., he advised me he would have to dig that all out., and he don't know how he could put a retaining wall in that space and also he can't dig down and further as it would jeopardize the pool wall settling., and so he couldn't possibly put in a french drain and there wouldn't be any space to put a retaining wall and pipe too.....he advised just leave it like that and he would warrantee it himself., I advised NO, as he could go out of business tomorrow., needless to say he was a little heated., he said this is the first pool he put in that he had a liner issue with pool sides buckling but that fixed itself and french drain and retaining wall problem. I just looked at him and said., well what can I do., you should have known that ahead of time and took care of that before the pool was put up. Also., he had about 5 other guys working on the deck and porch roof that he made a a frame roof into the main roof., looks nice., but who knows, I found some problems where the roof side doesn't meet the house a opening there., I also found tons of nails and aluminum from soffit fascia etc., all over., meanwhile I advised him shouldn't he do that before the pool , he advised no., as he wanted tp put the deck as close as possible to the pool., so he said he would be careful and that I worry too much., well let me tell you., if a nail etc., did not get into the pool that was a miracle for all I found everywhere else., also when shoveling pea stone, they got that in the pool and he vacuumed it out. Now my husband went in the pool for the first time today., granted his eye sight isn't very good., but he called me outside and said what is this white spot on the liner a little bit above water., I told him to fill it and see if it was a nick., as I could not get into the pool at the time., and he said it felt indented some there. So here I am , what do I do., my yard is a mess., mud, dirt everywhere ground completely uneven from there back hoe., that is fine I understand I am responsible for that but what should I do about the pea gravel., I am so afraid he is going to hurt the pool sides when he digs out the gravel., he said he would do this himself as he is already in a hole and cannot afford to have his workers back out but must do this himself., I am trying to keep my temper and a decent relationship with him I do not want to argue with him. Please help...............

[imnay]

It's hard to visualize your property.

Our first ABG pool (27ft X48in tall) lasted about 15 years. We sunk it about two feet into the ground - we knew going in that would void the warranty and couldn't have cared less. 15 years later we figured we made out okay and bought a replacement pool five years ago - also sunk into the ground and doing just as fine as the first one did.

The good think about AGPs is they are relatively inexpensive - I would worry a LOT more warranty wise with a $20,000 product but not so much with a $2k AGPool.

My first priority would be that your 24 ft. round pool sits on a perfectly level surface to make sure that the water pressure pushes outward the same all round the wall area.

Not being a Pro Installer I can only question why filling a pool with a outdoor temp of 65 degrees would be a problem. The water should push out against the pool walls and it couldn't have been cold enough to cause any problems with the structure, walls or liner.

I also recall that a "traditional" French drain is a trench filled with gravel - not anything with a pipe in it.

All I can share is that we have a vinyl clad steel wall pool sunk into the ground which has worked for us for over 20 years and we have never had a problem. Hope you can get beyond this so you can enjoy your pool!

Best of Luck