Just a Waterfall of Problems

The owners of this new pool decided during construction that they wanted to add a waterfall onto their pool. The pool builder ordered a “standard engineering detail” to add to his standard pool plans. A “shelf” was added to the pool steel and the pool was shot.

The city came out to do the final inspection and “red tagged” the job, because the waterfall had encroached into the setback. The pool builder had failed to file the water fall details and to get city approval for the changes to the project. Then the owners realized that soil behind the water fall was soaking wet.

There were cracks within the boulders and in the pool wall below the waterfall. The back of the waterfall appeared to have settled a few inches. A review of supplier receipts revealed that there were over 40,000 pounds of boulders in the waterfall.

The first winter passed while the pool builder and homeowner engaged in settlement talks. During the winter months, the homeowners experienced flooding in their yard. Only then did they realize that the pool elevation was too high and the yard was re-graded and sloped towards the house.

A standard pool engineering planset cannot compensate for these kinds of loads. This is why you should NEVER add a waterfall or surcharge onto an existing pool – you have no way to know if it can handle the surcharge. Besides, it looks like a pile of crap. YOU WILL CRACK IT… and then you will own it!

Swimming Pool Expert Witness