New pool installation - not level ???

[Motoman]

Hello, I just blew a whole lot of dough on a new inground 36x18 Grecian Pool.
I knew nothing of pool construction before it began, but found myself educating the builder with some of my Master Mechanical background.
I'm excited to have somewhere to discuss my huge investment with others that have the experience to help educate me.

Well, at this point we are in the filling stage of my composite framed vermiculite bottom pool. I'm a perfectionist, and I would like to know if I'm being unreasonable.

The pool is a Grecian style, and the deep end 45° corner has a water level 1"- 1.25" higher than on the diagonally opposite 45° shallow end side.
I'm feeling that nearly 30k should have gotten me a little more attention to detail.

The deck has not been poured yet, and the coping is still exposed. Is there a possibility to have him shim the top of the composite wall?
What would you do? Should he drain and re-level it?

[PoolDoc]

It sounds like you are saying that the water rises 1.25" higher on the liner -- closer to the bead -- on one corner, than the other. Is that correct?

If so, on a liner pool, having the pool cocked by 1.25" over the length of the pool is not necessarily a functional defect, so long as you are using skimmers, and so long as there are no water level features that depend on the pool being exactly level.

On the other hand, in my limited experience with liner pools, a 1/4" end-to-end variation in pool level was the standard on the pools I worked on. I have much more experience with commercial gutter pools, where the standard is 1/16" total variation in level from any point of the pool, to any other point, regardless of size. (Gutters and other rim flow features depend on EXACTLY level edges for proper function.).

However, on liner pool, the ultimate level tends to be set by the placement of the wall segments in concrete, and is thus rather hard to change.

I think you need to look at your contract. If there's no specification of maximum out-of-level allowed, it may be hard to force him to do anything.

[Motoman]

Ok I guess we're looking at shimming between the coping and top of the walls. My issue with that is liner distortion, seeing as the return jets and skimmers are already installed. I'm a bit uneasy about this. Should I let them go ahead with their work and stay out of the way, or is there another option?

[PoolDoc]

I'm not really sure.

If you want to send pictures to poolforum@gmail.com, I'll post them. Or you can post them yourself, using Flickr, Webshots, Google Drive, etc. If you email them, send full-size pictures . . . and it's better to send too many, than too few. I can edit. Also, many people tend to leave out an over-all situation shot, but including that can be helpful.

However, your options are limited by your contract, so I'd re-read that.

[Motoman]

Ok, I sent some pics to the poolforum email.
You don't need to post the pics. I would like your opinion of what I should do.
Thanks for your help.

[PoolDoc]

Your pics:
(numbered for reference, mustard algae detail added for illustration)

1.



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4a.


4b.



5a.



5b.


6.




Mustard algae
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7a.


7b. (color enhanced to show algae)

[PoolDoc]

I'm not sure what to say other than: "kill the mustard algae!".

Your pool is somewhat out of level, but not enough to affect the function of the pool. Some pool owners would never notice, but it would drive others nuts.

Your recourse is going to be governed by the contract.

Unless Waste responds, I'm not sure anyone here would have tried to solve a problem like that.

One possibility: a tapered custom made stainless steel shim. If you design it, any SS (restaurant kitchen) sheet metal shop could make it. I'd guess the cost (if I had it made here) would be in the $1,000 - $2,500 range, not including installation. Whether it's possible for you, depends on how the top of the pool wall is configured. If you want to send me some detail shots of the BACK of the pool wall, from the coping to 6" down on the wall, I can offer a further opinion.

And, one caution: do NOT accept a jury rigged solution, that will 'fix' the appearance, but compromise the durability of the pool.

Good luck.