New pool completed -- muratic acid in the skimmer and other issues / questions

[divnkd101]

Jason,

Have you made final payment on pool? If yes, then forget my question. If no, hold the final payment until you are completely satisfied with the outcome. If it does get dirty then you at least know you have things well documented. Good luck with your struggles. BTW, the pool looks great!!!!!!

[jasontx]

Ok I think I have some answers to the questions for anyone else interested...they came out today after some additional pressure (lots) from me. All major builders here insist on final payment before plaster -- if I had it to over again I might have negotiated that more -- but is a major builder that motivated by 5-10%?

1) Exposed quartz under skimmers

It seems I was right and it was caused by the acid. They recommended lowering the ph to 7.0 for two weeks to expose the crystals more in other parts of the pool and even it out. Reading in the gardenweb forum I had almost decided on this too so I think it is a good solution -- apparently this is normal startup procedure for many people with quartz plaster (the guy they sent seemed surprised this wasn't what I was told initially for starup). I don't want to try patching or any other dramatic fix -- and I paid for the quartz I should see them. I just lowered it this afternoon so we will see what happens -- I'm going to do it for one week and reevaluate. He said if it doesn't work they can do a more drastic acid procedure.

2) No chlorine in a new pool advice from LPS

This was apparently flat out wrong. The builder return my call (on a Saturday!) to say I should maintain chlorine to avoid algae which could stain the uncured plaster. That is what I thought from reading here. Goes to show don't let any one source lead you from what you think is right.

3) Loud pump

They replaced the motor in the pump today and it is an amazing difference. It is at least as quiet now on high speed as it was on low speed before. I don't think you can even hear low speed outside the equipment fence. I'm a little irritated that the startup guy didn't respond to my "i'm surprised the pump is so loud" question and wonder how many people live with it not knowing.

4) Is it okay to reduce all water paths going to a pump to reduce the noise from a water feature

They said yes but I haven't really played with it much. I'm still a little wary of this.


It is amazing how different I feel after a one hour visit from the tech. I felt abandoned before but now feel the problems are resolved / resolvable. If the low ph thing doesn't work I will have to think about their alternative chemical solution (and probably ask about it here first). No one else is putting chemicals in my pool unless I understand it.

Thanks for the responses and the compliments on the pool. I don't know it is the one I would have picked from a gallery of pools but I do like it. Other areas have all kinds of interesting stone that seem regional. I can't wait to get in (other than the time I dropped the pole while brushing and the water was 55 degrees -- ouch).

The tech today was impressed by my Taylor k2006 we used to test the ph (instead of the dinky one they provided). I feel like I have such a leg up from researching here. I wouldn't have known to insist on a 2 speed pump and lots of other things.

I'm not always this long winded -- I promise.

Jason

[Watermom]

Don't worry about being long winded. This forum is all about people learning from the experiences of others. Thanks for sharing. I'm sure hearing about your experience will be beneficial to others who are getting ready to build their own pools. Good luck. I hope things work out with your pool to your satisfaction.