Wow. Not good. Once concrete has actuated and initial set has begin (it starts to stiffen up) you can no longer add water to achieve placement viscosity. Adding water after initial set has begun this will result in an extremely reduced finished strength. This probably has a lot to do with all of those cracking problems. You can pay to have a concrete company test for compressive strength. I would absolutely do this if I were you. You probably have a detail in your PB contract that states concrete strength to be used. If the testing shows the strength to be compromised, which it probably will, then this is just black and white data that could be very useful to you if this ends up going the way of litigation. There are not a lot of great answers to the problem you have. It is hard for you to demand a redo since that would be disasterously expensive to your PB and he will want to avoid this at all costs. If I were to have this pool built in my yard...my reaction would be sympathetic to a hard day that did not go well. Ultimately that shell would be coming and out being redone properly. I would not, and could not settle for such a large purchase with as many technical flaws and failures that you see here.

Thank you for your reply on a holiday weekend! I could just imagine what I'm up against when PB finally calls me in the morning. This is not something a grandma needs to deal with!! Thank you...any extra advice will be deeply appreciated!

Unfortunately, discussion went as I figured it would go with PB stating there is nothing wrong with the shotcrete application or concrete. He stated there are only two shotcrete companies in area and this is it. Stated concrete ordered was over 5000 psi (I don't remember number) and swung a sledge hammer against it and said it's good. I said I want it tested for compressive strength. He stated its too late, that's done right after its shot. I stated it takes 28 days to cure and achieve its strongest strength and that's when it's tested. Of course his response was more bs. No matter what I said, and trust me, by what I've read and videos I've seen I knew what I was talking about, but...he's been building pools for over 30 years and if he thought there was a problem he would have it ripped out. My educating myself on the internet regarding this matter is a joke to him. Couldn't get anyone to come and inspect or test it, since this is a rural area. He did give a lifetime warranty on shell in writing. My comment to him...for as long as company is in business. My only hope at this point is praying it holds up!

I don't doubt that the concrete is hard, but what I think is more important is the cracking. Just curious, did you verify references for other pols that he built?

If it was me, and I'm assuming you still have payments yet to be made, I'd not hand over the next payment until you were completely satisfied. I had my pool finished and the "shot" looked great with no cracks or any unusual imperfections. I kept and eye on it during the following weeks after it was shot and nothing changed. There was nothing that looked remotely what you experienced. I'm no expert, but as a layperson it looks like your PB gave you a hot mess.

If you have no further path to recourse I would get it specifically stated as to what "lifetime" means. I can see it being lifetime of the shell, and once it starts to fail well it's obvious the life of the shell is over. I was also told that in Florida, if it's not expressively stated that "lifetime" constitutes 7 year period. I found this article that talks about "lifetime" warranty: http://www.denverpost.com/2010/10/19/lifetime-warranties-usually-expire-sooner-than-you-think/

Here's another article with similar info: http://www.warrantyweek.com/archive/ww20090813.html

But as you mentioned the PB has been in business for 30 years, I'm going to guess you'll find the lifetime of his company to be of pretty short duration unless he has son/daughter stepping in as transition plan.

I wish you the best.

freedome - what was the outcome with your construction?