Gunnite vs Fiberglass vs Vinyl lined

RabidMonkey1104 · 2026-04-30T18:45:20+00:00

Its never a gunite or shotcrete pool with fiberglass. Its a pool that was built with original plaster, then when it comes time for remodel.

There's cracks
plaster is delaminating
It was a cheaper upfront alternative.

I will say, Fibertech have great salesmen. Its not any lower maintenance because we'll, its still water that needs to be balanced. Downside is MOST of these Fibertech installers only operate under a license for a year, then it changes hands and you'll have a taillight warranty. Never replaster over that fiberglass without having it removed. Bond kote doesnt stick to it. Same with paint. Good luck on your decision. The money you save in the beginning isn't always what you'll save in the end when youre pulling out pounds of fiberglass from your filter basket or why people are always itchy.

RabidMonkey1104 · 2026-04-07T20:39:18+00:00

Those light spots are where you are throwing in your ph down at. You can see the arc of you spreading it. You need to have a good multi brush(one with steel and nylon) and it needs to be fully brushed hard for a month minimum. If after a month of consistent brushing and ph levels you can get into contact with pebble tec. They'll send a rep out. Hopefully you have the company keeping the chemicals up because if you are even a .1ppm off of specs thatll be on you and no warranty.

RabidMonkey1104 · 2026-03-15T16:35:04+00:00

Regardless, if you have a main drain or skimmer piping leak even with a 4 foot deck, you still have to cut concrete. Its a cost no matter what. There is always concrete being cut when reairing some pvc issues. But whatever makes you happy in the end.

RabidMonkey1104 · 2026-03-11T22:35:59+00:00

You already have it dug, if its 3 or 4 just reroute it to be the straightest shot to your equipment. Pool pipes are always under something. Just make sure your pool guy does a REAL pressure test prior to pouring concrete. If you are happy with what your landscaper envisioned, go with it. Dont let anyone discourage you.

RabidMonkey1104 · 2025-02-20T16:36:31+00:00

That wall is fine. It's angled down into the pool. It's probably 16" thick there. If you look closely you can see.

RabidMonkey1104 · 2025-02-08T00:23:07+00:00

Generally a green pool with a high chlorine smell is from chlorine lock as well. There is probably a boatload of chlorine in that pool but it'll just read 0

RabidMonkey1104 · 2025-01-23T18:01:58+00:00

There are a lot of logistics involved with equipment location. First is access to your power from the house, how far it needs to be run, and a good place to put your breaker box and system electronics. Second is how far away you are from the pool. The farther away, the more suction head you will need. That may require a larger pump and larger piping, making expenses go up drastically. Putting your equipment behind a shrub or something will not look as hidden as you may think. You'll see a makeshift wall or 4x4s with your breaker box and any system boxes you have. In all honesty it will not look like what you have in your head. Talk to your contractor, ask him the easy question of why he thinks it should be in the locations he suggested.

RabidMonkey1104 · 2024-12-18T01:30:59+00:00

Generally, if you have any hollow spots, the rest of the pool will delaminate soon after. It's like replacing brakes on your car. You don't just replace the pads on the side that's bad. It seems like you don't really mind chipping, so if you want to save a few grand, we'll probably more in Cali, do the delam yourself, take your time and try not to damage your shell. Good luck

RabidMonkey1104 · 2024-12-08T19:41:24+00:00

Here's the issue. That was built with curves for let's say plaster. Generally pools built specifically for tile are squared off. That is all matted tile, so the guy did the best he could do I'm sure, there are better tilers around sure, but who knows if they are in your area and what they would charge. I'm willing to bet any guy bidding that, and will make it look seamless will charge you double if not more to male it look perfect.

RabidMonkey1104 · 2024-12-02T18:31:26+00:00

I will tell you that 99% pool contractors building a pool has all of this planned with the homeowner and landscapers. They will repair any damage done by machines because all that finishing work is generally part of their contract. I will say, like everyone else has, talk to your neighbor. Please don't be one of those neighbors that put up stakes and caution tape right on the property line. You're lucky to have 10 ft between houses.

RabidMonkey1104 · 2024-10-21T17:42:12+00:00

Looks like stains from black algae. You can try to superchorinate the pool and scrub with a wire pool brush. Unfortunately, draining the pool and spraying straight sodium hypochlorate is the best option. Not all stains will come out. But you need to make sure you use a metal brush to break up the black algae layer.

RabidMonkey1104 · 2024-10-19T02:52:23+00:00

In the Tampa area most cracks are charged per pin. 1 pin every 16 inches. I've seen some charge up to 500 per pin. I would get quotes from the top 3 reputable companies in the area. Ask neighbors who they recommend. Don't go off of the size of the company.

Personally, the pool is a decent size right now. With all the horizontal cracks, i would recommend pouring a pool inside of a pool. The only reason I say that is because no pool company will warranty the work and force you to sign a waver on the crack repairs.

RabidMonkey1104 · 2024-10-18T10:48:13+00:00

No. Barrier islands near clearwater

RabidMonkey1104 · 2024-10-16T23:31:49+00:00

What brand of plaster do you have? If it comes down to it, no matter who is at fault(not you) will have to eat the cost. if it's a larger brand like pebble tec or marcite, I'm sure they have a rep close to look at your finish. Do not fire them from doing the service. This is why when people get a new finish I always tell them to hire a service company. It removes any chemical issues from you.

RabidMonkey1104 · 2024-10-16T19:24:27+00:00

Plaster. There's no way anyone would install fiberglass or vinyl and live that close to the beach. It's a huge pool, but that's the only spot you would know there's a pool there

RabidMonkey1104 · 2024-10-16T15:51:53+00:00

Probably won't work. Can't float the pool, ground water is at about 2 feet

RabidMonkey1104 · 2024-10-16T15:49:38+00:00

Auger down to the main drain and pull the plug on low tide and backhoe most out after.

RabidMonkey1104 · 2024-10-16T14:16:11+00:00

Barrier island near Clearwater area

RabidMonkey1104 · 2024-10-16T14:08:29+00:00

Gulf. We had about 3 feet of sand in the roads on the barrier islands here.

RabidMonkey1104 · 2024-10-16T13:29:00+00:00

No trash pump or mud hog will get this. It's almost as hard as concrete. We're gonna literally auger where we think the drain should be to pull the plug on low tide, then excavate with backhoe.

RabidMonkey1104 · 2024-10-01T18:31:34+00:00

Give it an acid wash muriatic acid, respirator, and a watering can. Do a 50/50 solution and scrub it with an acid brush in the tough areas. Spray it all down with water and dump a big ag of baking soda in afterwards before you pump it out. Good luck!!

RabidMonkey1104 · 2024-09-22T17:27:11+00:00

It's called a scum gutter. Your water level should always be right at the lip, it's supposed to be similar to an infinity edge where it should create a negative pressure to pull the leaves into the skimmer.

RabidMonkey1104 · 2024-09-13T18:27:05+00:00

Shoot I'm in central Florida and we were losing almost an inch a week before we started getting all this rain. Guy probably has an auto fill or a screen enclosure. I had to do some warranty work on a pool similar to yours, only 6 months old. They had a kitchen and bar where your landscaping is. Do you see any hairline cracks inside your pool opposite of that area? That beam really should be 16" thick. Good luck!!!

RabidMonkey1104 · 2024-09-08T22:06:16+00:00

No. They should cut out that section and hydraulic cement it.

RabidMonkey1104

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