Our patio's a mess
Q. We were flooded out, and our deck was destroyed. The yard was so bad we decided to remove everything and put in an in-ground pool. Now we have a concrete patio and pool, but from day one it looked terrible. The guys who did it kept telling us the big white blotches would settle away, and the flat patio would keep water out of our neighbors’ yards. We filed a complaint and Consumer Affairs got the contractor, who turned out was not licensed since 2009, to agree to pay back money, based on an architect’s report. We were lied to about the license and insurance, then given excuses that the work would settle and stains would disappear. There are dark gray fill-ins where the patio edge meets the pool. Worst of all, the patio does not drain, except into the pool. It takes more chemicals to clean. What a mess!
A. Your contractor sounds like just the kind of guy that Consumer Affairs was established for. When people ask me, Why does this all have to be so complicated? your story is a good example. You probably went to work each day, returned each evening, and they always had a great explanation for how much better it would look when it was done. Trouble is, it isn’t done.
The slope of the patio was supposed to be to wells and piping underground, planned and calculated by a knowledgeable pro. But who wants to complicate the seemingly simple process of putting in a pool and a patio with getting things planned and calculated? Hiring an engineer or architect sounds so expensive. I don’t fault you, but an experienced contractor should have known better.
It’s frustrating when a caller about new work says, “This is really simple,” meaning: I don’t want to pay much, and I have no idea what’s really involved in keeping costs down. I tell callers that they’ll spend a little more to save a lot more. Sorry to make you a perfect example, but think of what it will take to correct your problem. How do you slope your patio to nonexistent drains or fix the finish?
What you described is gray grout-like cement used to fill imperfections and gaps around the patio and pool. The white blotches are calcium and lime that floated up while the cement cured. It’s not removable, even by power-washing or applying acid, without leaving marks and texture changes. Then there are safety issues. Do you want your family swimming in a pool that has lime leaching into it? And more pool chemicals? Your patio will probably have to be resurfaced with a textured coating that resists weather and can be given slope. Drains with a calculated capacity will need to be installed after diagramming just where they will go. Good luck!
©2013 Monte Leeper. Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
