New Member Intro

[lbridges]

Hello, my name is Lee and I am in the process of getting proposals for a small to medium sized (16X36) in-ground, shotcrete, pool from several area builders.

I've been busy reading away - and so I'd like to say thanks to the forum owner(s).

I'm not a newbie on computers or forums, but I am to modern swimming pool maintenance, so there's a good chance I will need some hand holding from time to time.

Lee

[HowardWalker]

Good luck to you, Lee. Before I decided on a fiberglass pool I eyed the shotcrete option.

Tell me, what made you decide in favor of it? Custom size, options, or some other factors?

[lbridges]

In my area the only viable fiberglass vendor has a very poor reputation for customer support after the sale. I know of no one that has gone the vinyl liner route - I think because we have such high ground water issues. After our last rain storm the ground water level rose to within ~3 feet of the turf.

In terms of progress, the shell/tank is in, plumbing done, waterline tile up. Remaining items are decking and equipment pad & equipment, then plaster & water.

While it's obvious there is still work to go, I have been pleasantly surprised several times by the PB crew, their work ethic, and willingness to go the extra mile.

[HowardWalker]

In my area the only viable fiberglass vendor has a very poor reputation for customer support after the sale. I know of no one that has gone the vinyl liner route - I think because we have such high ground water issues. After our last rain storm the ground water level rose to within ~3 feet of the turf.

In terms of progress, the shell/tank is in, plumbing done, waterline tile up. Remaining items are decking and equipment pad & equipment, then plaster & water.

While it's obvious there is still work to go, I have been pleasantly surprised several times by the PB crew, their work ethic, and willingness to go the extra mile.

I don't know about current technology of shotcrete pools but, as I recall, those pools required Marcite to be applied every 5 or 6 years. The other "con" was the constant leaching of alkaline from the concrete into the pool water.

I know that a number of companies specialized in the application of fiberglass to the walls of shotcrete pools.

My "Dolphin" pool was supposed to be in the ground and ready to go in 6 to 8 weeks...I should have realized that was a pipe dream. It took most of the summer. I should have insisted on a performance clause in the contract.

I thought I was being smart by upgrading my filtration system to a Hayward EC-65 DE filter system. By the 2nd year of operation I was field stripping and cleaning the grids about once a week. 15 bolts to remove in the cover, to access the grids. Last year I dismantled the DE and went back to the pleated cartridge.

[czechmate]

Marcite is over 25 years old type of plaster composition. The cheapest and obviously not the most durable.
For a couple of thousand more considering 16x32 diving size, there are highly durable, modern plasters available. BTW, my marcite was installed in 1984. I did replace it in 2009. So the 5-6 year life span you have mentioned is a myth. Any honest and experienced pool builder will tell you that gunite is the way to go, if you can afford it. A clear winner in every aspect, hands down. Fiberglass is just a step up from the vinyl shell.
Maintaining a Mercedes or a BMW does not come cheap, but the ride is worth it.