Q. My pool is a year old. Because of some surface issues with the crushed quartz aggregate, the company that built our pool drained and acid-washed it. The pool surface is now rough and also has several unsightly black spots where the interior finish appears to have worn off.
Our pool company has been unresponsive to this issue. What could or should be done to correct this?
Also, since the acid wash, I have had an extremely high calcium level and can’t seem to reduce it, although I have drained a few inches of water several times.
A. Because we can’t see your pool, and we are not lawyers, we would suggest the following steps to resolve your problem:
“Review your written pool contract for specifics on how any disputes are settled,” says Steve Bludsworth, owner of All-Pool Service and Supply in Orlando.
Also, check your written factory warranty on the pool finish and request that a factory representative look at your pool. The representative may be able to assess the work, determine what, if anything, is wrong and find the solution (which may or may not involve the pool builder).
However, if your pool was acid-washed too aggressively, it could make the finish rough. If the black spots you are seeing are, indeed, the concrete shell of the pool, then the pool finish has been acid-washed away in those areas. In this case, the only answer would be to refinish the pool.
The high calcium hardness level may be a result of the aggressive acid-washing. The calcium level can be lowered by removing a portion of the pool water and refilling the pool with fresh water that has a low calcium hardness. A pool professional can calculate the amount of water to be replaced based on the pool volume and the calcium hardness reading.
If the pool finish is quite rough, the calcium in the crushed quartz aggregate may continue to leach into the pool water, raising the calcium level.
Q. I’m trying to select a solar pool heating contractor. Any advice?
A Choosing any kind of contractor can be confusing. Here are some time-tested suggestions for selecting a quality licensed and insured solar contractor.
From the outset, understand that you are buying more than a pool heater or heating system. You are investing money in a contractor’s materials, installation techniques, stability, warranty, liability and business ethics, among other things. These are the key factors that shape your decision.
A reputable licensed and insured contractor should provide a full written proposal, references, proof of licensing, insurance and copies of all warranties and representations made in writing. Remember, the representative that you’re dealing with in your home is likely your only direct contact with the company. Also, check the contract to find out how any dispute is resolved (court, arbitration, mediation, etc.) and who pays the costs.
Another smart practice is to select a contractor who has been in the solar industry under the same name and ownership at least as long as his current product warranty. (If the contractor switches product lines or ownership, the previous warranties and workmanship may not carry over.)
Most municipalities require the contractor to obtain a permit to work at your site. Building inspectors and municipal officials will make sure that the work is being done to code. Think twice about being asked to pull the permit yourself. Doing so may make you responsible for improper work, workman accidents, or problems related to unlicensed people working on your home.
Ask the contractor how his installation approach has evolved. What has he learned through the years that will ensure delivery of a sound product?
Remember, the highest price doesn’t equal quality any more than the lowest price equals value. In other words, some contractors may think that a low price is their best feature, some may advertise giveaways or gimmicks, and others might focus on product quality and customer relationships.
How do you establish contact with the contractor? Some common ways are roadside signs, phone-book listings, recommendations from friends and neighbors, direct-mail campaigns, referrals from pool-industry professionals and telemarketing. You decide what method appeals to you.
“As always, proceed with caution if anyone attempts to pressure you into a decision with a `must act now’ routine,” says Richard Smith, product specialist for Superior Solar Systems in Longwood, Fla.
Q. Can we purchase and install solar photovoltaic panels on the southern face of our home to run our swimming-pool pump? Is this feasible and economically wise? Will we save or lose money with this concept?
A. This system is possible, available and could be financially sound depending on a number of factors. First, do you plan to stay in your home long enough to recoup the cost of such a system? Second, will the orientation of the home or roof primarily toward the south to capture as much of the sun’s rays be efficient enough to run the system? Third, is the current price of electricity per kilowatt-hour where you live high enough to justify the expected payback period?
This is usually not a job for the do-it-yourself homeowner.
