That post was a train wreck. More acronyms than a pimp at a ho sho. Just sayin. Avoid the BBB as well, they only pimp the people that pay them. Pool builders in general should be watched with a guilty pretense at best, just read here, you will see LOL. start quote ----------------------- Swim at will, but -- at start-up it is best to delay chlorination for as long as possible and than keep it low. Heavy use of the pool may make chlorination more important. ALso a lot depends on what type of stratup was done: accid or alkali start. My preference is in alkalic stratup. But the point is that the chemistry may not be as human friendly as you would wish. Otherwise to all inquiring minds please stay away from contracctors beleiving in NPC(National Pool Plaster) in my eductaed opinion their rules, techings and advise are not based on any science and run against the cumulative knowledge of decades of cement industry knowledge and experience. None of their "rules" stands scrutiny of peer review. They are not recognized by American National Statdards Institute. NPC is in my opinion and experience is a trade association that cares about showing contractors how to make the most profit out of the least knowhow and effort. Although you rmileage may vary I trust more those who belong to APSP (former NSPI) which is ANSI recogniezed and does author and sponsor stadards that are approved by ANSI and other industrial powerhouse such as ACI (American Concrete Institute) and PCA (Plaster Cement Association). end quote ---------------------

I wouldn't be too concerned about them leaking. That void you see is not likely to be of any significance. If you take a look at a new, uninstalled umbrella sleeve, you'll see that it's constructed with fins that allow the plaster material to be packed tightly around it. The bad news, without pointing fingers at any subs, is that I don't think there is anything that's going to completely resolve the issue. Any further attempts are likely to only make it worse.

Thanks for all the great comments. I was going for a resort look and your comments make me feel like a achieved my goal! tinabinabobina - I'm not positive what it is exactly - but I requested plain old white plaster. I've been told it has marble crystals in it? gk5040 - The palms I believe are called Washington Fan Palms. They are hearty palms and have survived snow and freezing. The grow nicely in the Pacific NW. We are in zone 8. ethiojazz - The pool house is the equipment room. We need to house our equipment here due to weather. I took the design from a Pool Magazine and had it built. It has cedar soffits with canned lights and inside it is open framed with attic storage and a skylight. It will have a wrap around deck with a changing area behind (not built yet, already plumbed with hot & cold water for future shower). Snookums - lol - the shelf actually sticks out 6 ft. If I did it over again I would have made it 5 ft. But I'm very happy with it. gotpool - lol - sorry all rooms have been booked through next year! We figure we won't be finished with the entire project until next year. But that's okay - we are swimming! Here are the pool specs: 18 x 34 White plaster American Olean Glass Tiles Custom 24" x 15" x 3" Bullnose coping Sandstone Pentair Intelliflow 4 x 160 1.5 hp pump Pentair Cartridge Filter Master Temp 400K Gas Heater - I can heat the pool up in mintues! Helicol Solar System Quikclean infloor cleaning system - I love it! It was definately worth the extra $5K It works great! Rainbow in-line chlorinator Intellitouch i9 with wireless remote - love that too! 3 SAM lights Autofill Hydromatic automatic pool cover (still on order) Pool & equipment: $90,000 Solar: $5,000 New Gas Line & Meter: 4,000 Eletrical 5,000 Gas hookups 2,000 Plumbing 1,000 Pool house 5,000 Poured deck 5,000 3 waterfalls with fiber optics: $2,000 3 concrete fire pots 600 3 concrete boxes w/caps 1,000 (we are doing this part ourselves) 12' x 100' retaining wall $25,000 New deck 25,000 new french doors 2,500 New fence 5,000 new driveway 8,000 100 dump trucks of dirt 2,500 landscaping 5,000 permits and plans 1,000 lot survey 1,500 out door rock speakers 150 repair neighbors yard 5,000 (we used neighbors yard for acess and totally tore up their entire back yard for the whole summer - I have wonderfully patient neighbors. Also gave them a week at the ocean in our timeshare) ....and we're not done yet. Don't add it up - I haven't - I don't think I want to know! Going to be 85 today in Seattle - a perfect day by the pool!

thanks cathyck! Good luck in your house build, I remember how many details need to be decided in a short period. Where in Rockland are you? We hired companies to spray the gunite and to plaster the pool (although we don't love the plaster job, my husband has been sanding it while using his scuba gear!) but pretty much everything else was done ourselves. Although we have saved a bit of money, its still pricey. We are happy because we have been able to upgrade all of our materials and to really customize to our specific needs. We've changed a few things on the fly. I'd say just the pool is around 50k (including the fence) - which doesn't include landscaping, decking, the curved brick walls or the staircase coming down to the pool, the bluestone stepping stones, the eventual pavilion and outdoor kitchen, furniture etc etc etc. In my head I'm hearing cha-ching, cha-ching ... I actually don't like thinking about it all together! There seems to be an endless way to spend money in and around the pool, but we feel the investment has been worth it so far. We've been able to see many of our friends and family over the summer as it was so easy to hang at the pool. That's why we can't wait to make entertaining easier with the pavilion. Good luck if you take on the challenge.