I want to thank all of you who posted in response to my questions around the workmanship of Seaway Pools in Markham, Ontario. This process is still ongoing. They have sent a new crew to replace the skimmer. They sawed out the concrete around the skimmer and replaced it with a new one. During this process we saw there is in fact no fibreglass mesh support in it. They then installed the liner and it didn't fit. They left it to dry in the sun for several days to shrink it. The liner manufacturer himself came to assist with the install. They got it in eventually. Last week they plummed the filter and pump. Seaway Pools refused to plum into my heater since I didn't buy it from them. Eventually the pool tech and the gas guy worked something out. Finally we were up and running. They are supposed to send someone to teach us how to use the pool, but no one has come out yet. They don't respond to calls or emails. Instead they have the pool technician call me back... sometimes. As far as they're concerned, the work is done. However, I emailed them asking if the pressure guage should be reading less than 5 psi... no response. From what I read it should be higher. So now I wonder if there is a leak in the lines... Needless to say I just wanted to follow up and let people know about my horrible experience with Seaway Pools in Markham and it's owner Gary Walters. I'm still working on this, but I've put a blog together so new pool owners can at least have an idea of what questions they should and what to get in writing before starting a pool renovation. http://seawaypool.blogspot.com/

Wish I could help with the equipment. I don't have a heater and just took what they offered with the pool. I have a Jandy stealth pump, a nature 2 Fusion Soft salt chlorinator, and a simple polaris 280 vacuum robot. I really wouldn't recommend the polaris. It messes up all the time. the wheels get hung up and won't turn. I have to pull it out of the water and turn the wheels until it decides to start working on its own. I'll probably have to buy something else this summer. BTW, I still can't get in my pool because the water is still too cold. My friend's pool is warmer and they have already started using theirs. I have shade in my yard and she doesn't. I am drooling every time I look out the back door. I can't wait. The color you picked sounds good and I'm sure it will turn out great.

Thanks so much for taking the time to do that for me! Aztec is now on my sample list for the tile company tomorrow. I would never, ever pick a tile without seeing one on a pool. My builder must have 200+ samples in his showroom and I honestly don't know how people pick from looking at a single 6x6. I'm a big chicken like that. But you, pooljewel, are a GEM. Thanks again. It never ceases to amaze me the kindnesses shown on this board. --Banana

my sister works in the installed sales department at Lowe's. She deals with complaints and customer satisfaction, etc., every day. We got a lower bid (not much lower) for our granite top but went with a Lowe's installer because of what I know about their satisfation policy. You will be happy or they will replace it. You're buying an insurance policy which you won't get anywhere else. I know because I bought an ugly orange, resin pooled defective $1500 cambria island top and I HATE it. It's getting replaced with granite. We are stuck eating the expense of this $1500 top because we didn't buy it from Lowe's or Home Depot.