Getting a new fiberglass pool

[Tishabiondy@natlmail.com]

I've been reading through these forums (which are great!) and am starting to get a little nervous. Has anyone installed a fiberglass pool and NOT had any staining or installation problems? I'm also worried about the contract we signed. We pretty much pay in full as soon as they show up with the pool. The main reason we went with fiberglass was ease of maintenance, but it sounds like stains are a big problem. Anything I should know before they come to install next week? Thanks.

Tisha

[DONNIE]

I have a new fg pool being installed early October. I have researched your question myself. Before you get too excited have your water tested for metals. That is usually your source of stains. If you do have high metals you can treat for it and hopefully avoid staining with different sequestering agents. There are many posts in the "stains and metal matters" thread. I too was worried but these guys on here will put your mind at ease. hope that helps.

Donnie

[Tishabiondy@natlmail.com]

Thanks Donnie. How do I find out if I have metal in my water?

Tisha

[DONNIE]

You can buy test kits or do as I and take a clean sample of your tap water to a reputable pool supply store.

[Tishabiondy@natlmail.com]

If I do have high metal levels, should I consider using different water to fill the pool? Also, may I ask why you chose fiberglass? We liked the price, ease of maintenance (I hope) and ease of installation (I hope). We purchased a Dolphin pool from a dealer in New Jersey. We live outside of Philadelphia.

Tisha

[DONNIE]

We have a rather small area to put in our pool. I did quiet a bit of research before making the decision. Chose fiberglass mainly for the maintainence issues but also for the size, quality and cost. We are getting a Viking 12x24 kidney. It's going to be soooooooooooooooo great!!

Donnie

[Tishabiondy@natlmail.com]

Good luck with it. I'll let you know how our install goes.

Tisha

[mbar]

This is my 7th year for my fiberglass pool and I love it. I have learned to manage the stains - fiberglass pools do tend to stain easily. The trick is to keep the ph on the low side, and alkalinity on the low side. Add the chlorine slowly - cal hypo seems to bring out stains more easily - I stick to bleach, and pucks very sparingly. My pool still looks like new. Feel free to ask any questions you may have.

[gerri]

I have a fiberglass pool. I did have problems with the pool company/installation but only because my pool was installed in heavy rain by an idiot with a backhoe. They ruined my yard on all 4 sides... I had expected 2, but honestly all 4 sides of my house were deeply rutted mudholes all over. I have no idea why they did this, but I made them come back after it dried out and fix it as best as an idiot can.

I've had my pool I think 4 years and this is the first year with bad staining. Previous years have been beautiful low maintenance years, which was great when I was pregnant and last year when my child was only 1. I'm a single mom so low maintenance is fantastic.

I have read so much here I think I have a handle on my staining. Listen to mbar, she knows EXACTLY what she's talking about. Keep a sequesterant in your water if you have any metals (and I say even if you THINK you don't) - I use Metal, Scale and Stain out by AquaChem from WalMart. It does the job. You add 1 quart per 10,000 gallons. If you have metals this sequestering agent keeps them in solution so the metals don't stick to the walls of your pool and cause the yellow/brown staining.

All in all I like my fiberglass pool. It is pretty and I don't have to worry about a liner replacement ever. My pool shell has a lifetime warranty (granted that means lifetime of the company) and I liked that idea too. I'm happy with my decision to go with the inground fiberglass pool. I just wish I had bought it from a different company than I did.

[Tishabiondy@natlmail.com]

Thanks Marie, thanks Gerri. I think I'll be using this forum a lot in the very near furture. I would love to see some pics of your pools.

Tisha

[mbar]

You are more than welcome - here are some of mine:

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/attachment.php?attachmentid=31&d=1145114015

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/attachment.php?attachmentid=32&d=1145114061

[Tishabiondy@natlmail.com]

O.K. Marie. I'm starting to feel better after seeing your pool. It's gorgeous! I've never heard of using porcelain tiles before but it totally makes sense. Is there a reason you don't have a cantilevered edge? I thought that cantilever was the "standard" way to install. Also, did you have any problems with the installation like the pool being unlevel or leaks? And finally, did you pay in full before start-up? Our contract only leaves about $1,500 for a punchlist. Thanks so much.

Tisha

[mbar]

I don't know what you mean by cantilevered edge. My pool had a regular edge, but at first we had concrete around the pool, but the concrete was bad - it was pitting and flaking off. The company I had put in the pool also put in the concrete. After 2 years he finally admitted that the concrete was bad and wanted to redo it - but I chose to get my money back for the concrete, and then added more (much more) and had the tile put around it, because I didn't want to disturb the pool. The tile is a little higher than the pool which is a pain, but it was the only way the tile guy would do it - he didn't want to tile over the pool edge. The installation for the pool was great - we had no problems, no leaks, it is almost level, maybe off 1/2 to 1" on one side. I am completely happy with it the way he installed it. I did pay 1/2 down, then the other 1/2 when the pool went in. My pool included the pump & filter, heater, ladder, 3 ft of concrete around it & start up chemicals - unfortunately he used baquacil! All in all I would use the same pool company again, although the owner now has sold it to someone else, and I don't know how they are. Hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions.

[Tishabiondy@natlmail.com]

Hi Marie. Cantilever means that the concrete goes over the fiberglass lip of the pool. My PB just called today and said that he is pushing back the start date again. How long did your install take? We're expected to pay the bulk of the total cost as soon as they show up with the pool, before they actually install it. Was this your experience? Thanks.

Tisha

[mbar]

Yes, I think it was the second payment when the pool went in- it was 7!/2 years ago, so I am not too sure. Half was put down before the work started, and the rest when the pool went in the ground. I still had to pay for the rest of the concrete, which was separate from the quoted price of the pool. The pool went in on the same day. As soon as it was in they measured it to make sure it was level, then back filled around it and started to fill it right away. It was lifted in with a crane! It looked like a big bathtub. I know that it was then filled and then the pump was started up. It was a while before they did the concrete. It is really hard to remember the exact sequence - but I know it was really fast.

[keithw]

I've got a CPC 12 x 24 that I installed myself. Upkeep on it is very easy. I did have to add vitamin C to kill some stains early on but it's been pretty stable since then. I can see hte advantages to a cantilevered edge. We tend to lose water when a quite a few people get active in the pool and an overhanging edge would eliminate that. Here's a link for my pool install,

http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e40/keith_vab/?start=all

[gerri]

here is my pool

http://www.magicsnail.com/walter/pool.jpg

[mbar]

Gerri, I love all the landscaping around your pool, it is so beautiful! So is the pool! What do you have arond the pool, it is really great looking.

KeithW, Is your pool out of the ground in some parts? You did a great job with the hardscape, and the color around the pool is beautiful, what kind of material is it?

I love to see the fiberglass pools, and I notice that everyone's water is so clean and clear!!

[gerri]

Thanks Marie :D I have at the very back Angel Trumpets which get big and smell heavenly in the evenings and lambs ear edging. I have some roses in there but the tall tropical looking plants are cannas. I have several different leaf and bloom colors of those but in the very back as a foil I use the tallest burgundy leaf one called "Giant Russian Red". The cannas are tubers, very tough plants that multiply and the Angel Trumpets are easy to start from cuttings. If you would like to start any of these by your pool either now or in the Spring please let me know and I will pack a box up for you. I love sharing my plants.

[keithw]

Marie,

My pools sits about 1ft above ground level. I wanted it to be level with my exisiting deck which I extended out to the pool on that side. On the other side I built a brick wall around the pool, filled it with sand/dirt, poured cement pads on top, then carved cobblestone shapes in to the cement. The coloring is Acrylic cement stain. I used the same stain on the waterfall. All my equipment is stashed in the waterfall.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e40/keith_vab/Pool272.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e40/keith_vab/Pool417.jpg

[mbar]

I love it! What a great idea to put the equipment behind the waterfall. That is what is great about this forum, the great ideas that we can all learn.

[Tishabiondy@natlmail.com]

Wow... I love all of your pools. If mine looks half as good I'll be happy. I just keep getting the brush off from my pb. He still hasn't started (2 weeks after contracted start date). Now we're just looking forward to next year.