Pool Remodel - Question Regarding Plumbing

[Golf Hack]

Hello...I am new to this forum and would appreciate any advice! We purchased our house in 2006 with an inground pool 16 x 32 that was installed in the early 1980s. We hired a reputable pool builder to remodel and update some things (safety cover, filter and liner). Once the project was completed, I noticed the return port in the shallow end had a plug in it. I unscrewed the plug and it is now an intake port. The pool builder admitted that they made a mistake and had the pipes marked wrong and the only way to change it is to tear up the new concrete and redo the plumbing...again! The pool builder did not say "yeah, unfortunately we will have to correct this at our own expense for you".

So, now I only have 1 return line / port in the deep end of the pool (21,000 gallons). I am concerned that the clean water flow will be inadequate now because I do not have a return line / port on the opposite shallow end of my pool. Is this correct? I need some advice in case the pool builder tries to tell me everything is fine as is. Since I am not an expert, I don't know what to say to them! Thanks in advance!

[USMC_Wifey_1345]

You could be describing my pool exactly. Literally the exact same thing. I never had a problem with proper circulation with the exception of opening the pool. When we opened it, and after I got all the leaves out of the bottom, I would attach the vacuum to the intake and keep it at the bottom of the pool to make sure that water got circulated first. Just make sure to run the pump no less than 6 hrs each day.

[Golf Hack]

Thanks for the reply USMC_Wifey_1345, I am glad to hear you didn't have any major problems with circulation and I appreciate your response!

[mercurial]

Your pool will be fine, although circulation will not be as good in the shallow end so you may need to brush a bit more during peak season.

You could let the pool builder off the hook, but then again this is pure negligence on their part and they are liable for their mistake. I would negotiate with them and leverage this to get a significant discount off the work they performed for you. If they refuse, you are legally entitled to fix the problem and charge them for the additional work required. Keep in mind as well that if you let this slide, you are encouraging this company to continue to be sloppy and future customers may suffer when their remodels do not go as planned.

[Golf Hack]

Thanks for the reply mercurial! I spoke with the pool builder this morning and they are taking full responsibility for their negligence. They recommend waiting a little while to see how the pool reacts before we make a decision on having them redo it. If any issues come up with circulation or anything else, they will redo it and make it right. I wouldn't mind a discount on the work performed as the remodel was expensive, but like you said, this only encourages them and future customers may suffer and I wouldn't want that. Thanks again for your advice, I appreciate it very much!

[mercurial]

Thanks for the reply mercurial! I spoke with the pool builder this morning and they are taking full responsibility for their negligence. They recommend waiting a little while to see how the pool reacts before we make a decision on having them redo it. If any issues come up with circulation or anything else, they will redo it and make it right. I wouldn't mind a discount on the work performed as the remodel was expensive, but like you said, this only encourages them and future customers may suffer and I wouldn't want that. Thanks again for your advice, I appreciate it very much!

Actually, I was encouraging you to ask for a discount. The discount itself would presumably be sufficient to eliminate their margin on this deal, and would probably make it a net loss for them. As companies are in the business to make money, not lose it, your discount would encourage them to be more cautious in the future.

Since your pool will likely be just fine, although filtration will be slightly impaired, it would make more sense to ask for a discount then to force them to rip up all the work and redo (but it's nice to have that option just in case!).

Anyway your call in the end, good luck with it.

[Golf Hack]

Thanks for the reply mercurial! I spoke with the pool builder this morning and they are taking full responsibility for their negligence. They recommend waiting a little while to see how the pool reacts before we make a decision on having them redo it. If any issues come up with circulation or anything else, they will redo it and make it right. I wouldn't mind a discount on the work performed as the remodel was expensive, but like you said, this only encourages them and future customers may suffer and I wouldn't want that. Thanks again for your advice, I appreciate it very much!

Actually, I was encouraging you to ask for a discount. The discount itself would presumably be sufficient to eliminate their margin on this deal, and would probably make it a net loss for them. As companies are in the business to make money, not lose it, your discount would encourage them to be more cautious in the future.

Since your pool will likely be just fine, although filtration will be slightly impaired, it would make more sense to ask for a discount then to force them to rip up all the work and redo (but it's nice to have that option just in case!).

Anyway your call in the end, good luck with it.

Thanks for the clarification mercurial! I agree with you, it makes sense to go for the discount on the work performed and it's nice to have the other option on the back burner. Thanks again, I appreciate the advice and encouragement!

[AFiremanFirst]

I don't agree that your pool will be fine! Not to be the bear of bad news... But there simply isn't enough info! gallonage, pumps, plumbing, turnover rates, are all important mathmatical calculations. If you had 2 returns and now you have 1 then your pressure has increased in your system. Causing wear and tear on your motor and all the valves, o-rings and plumbing. Now it should be a simple replumbing fix at your pump to resolve. Just because your pool doesn't turn green doesn't mean your pool is "fine". I'd be irrate, if I were the customer, and embarrassed if I made the mistake. Explain to them that now your pool will not circulate properly, and now your pump is oversized for your pool.

[Bugman1400]

My vote would be to have the pool builder fix it right. The lack of a return will cut down on the turnover rate of the pool. A 21K pool is a decent size pool that will need adequate filtering and flow rate. Don't settle for the mistake of others. The builder should be able to fix this problem with minimal impact.