A Pool Remodeling Warranty

Understanding What’s Covered 

You’ve invested in your swimming pool — by building it, renovating it, and maintaining it. From the moment your pool is filled with water, nature and physics are trying to destroy it. The sun bleaches the finishes’ color. Water chemicals attack grout, tile, and finishing material. Even water, seeping into areas it shouldn’t, creates rust and other damage. To protect your investment, it’s important to understand your pool’s warranty, what it covers, and what it doesn’t.

The Multiple Components of a Pool 

When remodeling a pool, your project comprises several components, including interior finish, equipment, masonry, waterproofing, etc. There is no such thing as a “bumper to bumper” pool remodeling warranty for these reasons:

1. Each pool component has a different expected life and therefore cannot be warrantied the same.
2. Some elements are covered by a product manufacturer while others are warrantied by the applicator (remodeling contractor).
3. There are limitations because ongoing pool care is out of the control of the remodeling contractor. Improper chemistry and maintenance can ruin a pool finish within months, even weeks.

The Ins & Outs of a Pool Remodeling Warranty

Warranties don’t cover damage caused by nature. A pool warranty typically covers workmanship, products, and equipment.

• Pool Finish Delamination. Warranties for pool finish delamination are between five and ten years; it covers bonding which is the adhesion of the pool finish to the gunite shell of the pool. If they separate — called delamination — is under the control of the remodeling contractor. If delamination is going to occur, it typically happens in the first six months.
• Pool Equipment. Most pool warranties cover equipment from one to three years. Some manufacturers offer up to three years when multiple pieces of equipment are purchased at the same time. A remodeler’s warranty covers only installation. Any malfunction is covered by the manufacturer since they are experts on how to repair equipment and can provide replacement parts.
• Masonry. Workmanship such as installing tile and coping are typically warrantied for one to two years.
• Discoloration. Stains, rust spots, fading, mottling, thin check cracks are examples of what can happen to any pool. Sun exposure and water chemicals can damage tile and pool finishes and therefore are not covered by a pool remodeling warranty.
• Non-Transferable. It’s an industry standard that pool warranties are non-transferable. This means an original homeowner cannot transfer any remaining warranty period when they sell their home.
• Elite Warranties. Pebble Tec, the creator of the aggregate pool finish, offers a back-up warranty to the remodeler’s warranty. This practice is unique to the pool building industry. Such elite warranties cover the same limitations as the remodeler — materials, labor, and bonding. It demonstrates that Pebble Tec stands behind their product and will even pay another remodeler to correct a problem.

“A warranty is only as good as the company that stands behind it,” Scott McKenna, CEO, Gardner Outdoor and Pool Remodeling

Tips to Protect Your Pool & Warranty 

After five decades of pool remodeling experience, here are our best tips for protecting your pool and warranty:

1. Let your pool remodeling contractor manage the startup of your pool. As mentioned earlier, you can ruin your perfect finish by not following the proper process when filling the pool. For example, stopping the water midway can create a ring (just like a dirty bathtub). The ring cannot be removed without a complete replaster or acid washing an aggregate finish. Avoid the headaches and potential damage to your new pool and have your contractor get your pool up and running. Note: some contractors require they manage this delicate process as part of their project and warranty coverage.
2. Carefully maintain water chemicals and pool equipment. If your pool is lovingly maintained, you’ll be rewarded with years of enjoyment.  Failure to keep your pool’s chemistry in balance will ruin the finish and nullify your warranty.
3. Don’t empty your pool without notifying your remodeler. Pool finishes are delicate. Most cannot withstand prolonged exposure to weather; it will quickly flake and chip. Involve your remodeler before draining a pool to prevent damage or abuse to the finish. If you don’t, your warranty can be broken.
4. Don’t physically abuse your pool. Most homeowners want to carefully protect their investment by running pool equipment according to the manual and maintaining water chemistry. However, there are some who damage their pool and therefore negate their pool’s warranty.

We know that a pool remodeling warranty can be complicated. Most warranty language is about limitations rather than what is covered. A warranty is designed to clearly state what is the responsibility of the pool owner and what is included in the remodeling project. Are you ready to start your pool remodeling project? We’ll walk you through the entire process, including the warranty, and how to protect your investment.