BY KAMERYN GRIESSER
What’s next
The big picture
Pool builders and pool owners agree the problem was likely preventable. “Texas is the wild, wild west when it comes to pool building,” Ford said. “Anyone can become a pool builder in Texas; you don’t need a license.” Armenta, who serves on the board of the Central Texas Pool and Hot Tub Alliance, PHTA, echoed the sentiment, explaining that a lack of education about ASR within the pool industry, combined with the state’s lax codes for pool concrete, created the perfect storm at a time when demand for backyard recreation was at its highest. “At every step of the way, this problem was missed,” Armenta said. “I think going forward, you are going to see more pool builders testing mixes and researching who they subcontract for the work.” Mike Church, CEO of Cody Pools, which built sev- eral of the pools affected by ASR, said the company “no longer uses the implicated shotcrete companies for fulfillment of customer orders.” Easy Mix and Hot Crete are among the shotcrete
companies involved in multiple lawsuits. Both did not respond to requests for comment as of press time. Lovins, who represents parties on both sides of the issue, said if the current multidistrict litigation against Easy Mix—the largest ASR-related lawsuit to date with over 200 parties—is successful, involved pool owners could be compensated for the cost of their repairs. Those who purchased their home with a pool may not be as lucky when seeking litigation for ASR issues, Lovins said, as owners may not be entitled to the same lifetime warranty the original builders had.
Lakeway officials are exploring how to inform pool owners about ASR and lessen the financial burden of permitting, which averages $1,800, according to a staff report. “We want to narrow down a list of potentially affected residents, so we are reaching out to several pool builders,” City Manager Joseph Molis said. In a statement to Community Impact , the National PHTA recommended homeowners with newly-built pools or plans to build a pool inquire with their builder about inspections and construction details. Miller said pool owners should search for testimonials on social media, where hundreds have shared their stories. “We’ve got this disaster in our backyard that has lowered our property values significantly, and we’re losing memories that we could be creating,” Ashley said.
Pool permits approved
Hundreds of pools were built in Lakeway, West Lake Hills, Rollingwood and Bee Cave from 2017-23.
Bee Cave 205
844 Lakeway
Rollingwood 136
117 West Lake Hills
SOURCES: CITY OF BEE CAVE, CITY OF LAKEWAY, CITY OF ROLLINGWOOD, CITY OF WEST LAKE HILLS/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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LAKE TRAVIS - WESTLAKE EDITION
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