Fixing Pool Builder F**k Ups!

When Pool Dreams Turn Into Nightmares

Picture this: you've just spent $250,000 on your dream pool eight years ago, only to discover that the entire structure needs to be torn out and rebuilt from scratch. This isn't a horror story—it's the reality facing one Chicago homeowner whose pool became a cautionary tale of what happens when builders prioritize aesthetics over engineering fundamentals.

In a recent episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, industry veterans Kelly and Dan pulled back the curtain on some of the most egregious pool construction failures they've encountered. From award-winning designs that can't withstand basic weather conditions to equipment rooms that require technicians to work in sauna-like conditions wearing swim trunks, these stories reveal the hidden costs of poor planning and execution in the pool industry.

The Problem With Pretty Pictures: When Design Awards Miss the Mark

The pool industry loves to celebrate beautiful designs through various awards programs, but what happens when those Instagram-worthy pools fail to function in the real world? Kelly and Dan tackle this uncomfortable truth, discussing how even APSP member companies can produce pools that look stunning but lack fundamental engineering integrity.

But you know just like a building inspector is never going to ensure the pool is built to standards and is safe... There's some inherent issues with any of the awards programs that are out there and it's not the faulty awards program, it's just the nature of what it is.

— Kelly, Talking Pools Podcast

The hosts describe a particularly egregious example of a pool that likely won design accolades but is now facing complete reconstruction. The project featured an innovative internal spa design with a perimeter overflow system—a beautiful concept that was fundamentally flawed in execution.

The $250,000 Mistake: Structural Failures and Climate Ignorance

One of the most shocking examples discussed involves a Chicago-area pool that's now scheduled for complete demolition and rebuilding. The original construction featured several critical errors that demonstrate why understanding local climate conditions and proper engineering principles can't be compromised for aesthetic appeal.

The pool's internal spa featured a stunning visual effect where the spa would be hidden below the water surface during normal operation, then revealed when the spa mode was activated. However, the execution was fatally flawed:

• The spa walls were only four inches thick—completely inadequate for Midwest freeze-thaw cycles
• The entire perimeter of the spa is now crumbling and falling apart
• The pool structure has cracks throughout
• The in-floor cleaning system failed due to improper winterization or installation

And in the Chicago market that does not work... Four inches thick that is ever going to hold up in I would argue in any climate, not much less in the Midwest.

— Dan, Talking Pools Podcast

This failure represents more than just poor workmanship—it's a complete breakdown of the consultation process between builder and client, where either the homeowner pushed for an unsuitable design or the builder failed to provide proper oversight and education about what would work in their climate.

Infinity Edge Pools: The Right Way vs. The Wrong Way

The discussion turns to infinity edge pools and the recent controversy over skimmer and autofill placement. This segment highlights how even experienced pool service companies can misunderstand proper infinity edge design, potentially costing homeowners thousands in unnecessary modifications.

The hosts describe a situation where a pool service representative incorrectly told a homeowner that their newly constructed infinity edge pool was built wrong because the skimmers and autofill were located in the overflow basin rather than the main pool. This misunderstanding reveals a fundamental lack of knowledge about how infinity edge systems actually function.

The skimmer, you know the whole infinity edge is a skimmer in itself, right? So all the debris is going to go up over the edge down in the catch basin. And if you don't have a skimmer set at a proper elevation when the infinity edge pump is on to pull that debris into the skimmer and collect it, then inevitably all that debris ends up down in the bottom of the catch basin.

— Kelly, Talking Pools Podcast

Proper infinity edge design requires:

• Skimmers in both the catch basin and main pool for optimal debris removal
• Autofill systems in the catch basin, as this is where water loss occurs
• Venturi skimmers that can also function as suction points when needed
• Specialized main drain covers that allow debris to pass through to collection canisters

Equipment Accessibility: The Service Technician's Nightmare

Perhaps no issue generates more frustration among pool service professionals than poorly planned equipment installations. The hosts emphasize that builders who have never had to service equipment often create spaces that are physically impossible to work in, leading to higher service costs and equipment failures.

Kelly shares a particularly memorable example from his early career: a commercial pool in downtown Chicago with equipment located in crawl spaces under spa installations. The confined space, combined with heat radiating from uninsulated spa shells above, created working conditions so extreme that he had to work in swim trunks to avoid heat exhaustion.

I would literally go into this equipment room for the pool and change into my swim trunks to crawl in this tunnel and go into this sauna of a mechanical area underneath these hot tubs to work on them. I literally crawling on my hands and knees and when I got in there I'd be sitting on my butt but I couldn't sit straight up because the ceiling height in the crawl space wasn't enough for me to sit straight up.

— Kelly, Talking Pools Podcast

This extreme example illustrates why proper equipment room design is crucial not just for technician comfort, but for equipment longevity. The high heat and humidity in that confined space caused constant relay, contactor, and air switch failures that disappeared once the equipment was relocated to a properly ventilated area.

The Builder's Education Problem

Throughout the discussion, a recurring theme emerges: many of these problems could be avoided if builders were required to service pools before they were allowed to build them. This hands-on experience would quickly reveal the practical implications of design decisions that look good on paper but create nightmares for long-term maintenance.

Key accessibility requirements that every builder should consider include:

• Oversized equipment pads with adequate clearance around all equipment
• Three feet of clear space in front of heat pumps for lid removal
• No plumbing or gas lines blocking heater access doors
• Adequate ceiling height in mechanical rooms
• Proper ventilation to prevent heat and humidity buildup

The hosts suggest that forcing builders to service pools for four years before they can start construction would eliminate many of these issues, as they would quickly learn which design decisions create ongoing problems.

Learning From Failure: Protecting Your Investment

These cautionary tales serve as powerful reminders that the cheapest bid or most attractive rendering isn't always the best choice. Pool construction is a complex process that requires understanding of local climate conditions, proper engineering principles, and long-term maintenance requirements.

For homeowners considering pool construction, these stories highlight the importance of:

• Vetting builders thoroughly, including checking references from pools that are several years old
• Understanding how design elements will perform in your specific climate
• Ensuring equipment areas are designed for accessibility and proper ventilationoire
• Working with builders who prioritize function alongside form

The pool industry continues to evolve, with new technologies and design trends constantly emerging. However, these fundamental principles of proper construction, climate-appropriate design, and maintenance accessibility remain constant. By learning from these expensive mistakes, both builders and homeowners can avoid the heartbreak and financial devastation of pools that need to be completely rebuilt just years after construction.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction - Pool Builder Problems
• 05:30 Design Awards vs. Reality
• 12:15 The $250,000 Chicago Pool Disaster
• 18:45 Infinity Edge Pool Confusion
• 25:20 Equipment Accessibility Nightmares
• 35:10 Why Builders Should Service First