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, 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, adding that pool builders may begin requesting tests from concrete suppliers. 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 a request for comment. 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. Furthermore, in a statement to Community Impact , the national branch of the PHTA said the organization is working to educate those in the industry about quality control measures that can be taken when working with subcontractors.
Liberty Hill city staff said they had not heard resident concerns about ASR, however, Leander and Cedar Park spokespersons confirmed officials are aware of the issue. All three cities permit residential pools, but concrete mix tests are not required during inspection. None have plans to modify the permitting process as of press time. In a statement to Community Impact , the PHTA recommended homeowners with newly built pools or plans to build a pool inquire with their builder about regular inspections and construction details. AJ Miller, an Austin pool owner turned ASR education advocate, recommends current pool owners search for testimonials on social media, where hundreds have shared their ASR stories. “You went from the pool being one of the best things to buy to now being terrified that this could happen to you,” Miller said.
Pool permits approved Hundreds of pools were built in Cedar Park, Leander and Liberty Hill from 2017-23.
865 Cedar Park
1,508 Leander
Liberty Hill 44
SOURCES: CITY OF CEDAR PARK, CITY OF LEANDER, CITY OF LIBERTY HILL/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
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