Inground Fiberglass Pool Warranties

3 Main Fibreglass Pool Warranties

Warranties, dull? Not today, mate. They’re crucial for you to know when looking at investing in a fibreglass pool, so let’s make them interesting!

These are the three various types of warranties you will come across:

  1. Manufacturing warranty – from the fibreglass pool’s manufacturer
  2. Equipment warranty – from the pool equipment’s manufacturer(s)
  3. Installation warranty – from the pool builder who installs the pool

Make sure to read through each of these warranties before purchasing anything.

If there’s anything you don’t understand or agree with, don’t hesitate to ask the manufacturer or installer. If they won’t clarify the legal jargon, it’s time to walk away.

Fibreglass pool warranties will always have some disclaimers, just like any other product warranty. However, armed with this knowledge, you’ll be able to identify what’s covered and (potentially more crucial) what’s not covered, and decide if it’s worth your investment.

What Does the Pool's Manufacturing Warranty Cover?

Fibreglass pool manufacturers should include two main aspects in their warranty:

  1. The structure of the pool shell
  2. The surface (gel coat)

Sometimes, the manufacturer provides separate warranties for each aspect, while other times they offer a single warranty covering both. Make sure your manufacturer covers both aspects of the pool shell, one way or another.

Fibreglass pool’s structural warranty

The structural warranty outlines the duration for which the manufacturer guarantees the pool will hold water. If the pool shell cracks and leaks, the manufacturer will repair it.

Typically, this warranty lasts “for the life of the pool,” meaning as long as the pool is owned and in normal use.

However, watch out for any clauses regarding homeowner responsibility in the event of a repair.

What is the homeowner responsible for?

The “will be responsible for” fine print might not appear significant initially, but if you ever need warranty work, you’ll be pleased you checked thrice.

For instance, imagine you need a gelcoat repair. Most fibreglass pool manufacturers require you to take responsibility for draining the pool, bracing it, refilling it, and replacing the water chemicals. That’s quite costly, and if you’re not a pool professional, it might even lead to further damage to your pool.

However, this isn’t the case at Principal Pools Warranty claims are rare with us, but more importantly, we don’t believe the burden should be on the customer if/when they need a repair. We cover the costs to drain, brace, refill, and replace.

Fibreglass pool’s surface warranty

The surface warranty can be a bit more complex.

Take note: the warranty must specifically cover osmotic blisters on the surface of the fibreglass pool.

Osmotic blisters are a cosmetic issue, not structural. A warranty that covers osmosis in the pool structure simply means that the pool will continue to hold water. That’s good, but it doesn’t help if you notice any bubbles or blisters in the gel coat.

How to evaluate a fibreglass pool’s manufacturing warranty As you assess potential manufacturers, ask these four questions regarding the manufacturers warranty for your fibreglass pool:

  1. Is the warranty transferable?
  2. What’s the duration of the warranty?
  3. What is excluded?
  4. What does the warranty actually cover?

You can see Principal Pool’s manufacturing warranty anytime below.

The Inground Fibreglass Pool Installer's Warranty Explained

The fibreglass pool installer’s warranty covers everything other than the pool manufacturing and its equipment:

  • Transportation
  • Handling
  • Storage
  • Patio and coping
  • Landscaping
  • Plumbing
  • The actual installation

You might opt for one contractor to handle all these tasks, or you might hire multiple contractors based on their specialities.

A Workmanship Warranty for Inground Fibreglass Pools

A workmanship warranty is a guarantee a pool builder provides for their work. It covers significant issues like plumbing leaks, structural settlement or movement of the pool or patio.

At Principal Pools, we have been installing fibreglass pools since early 2010. We have developed a series of cutting-edge installation techniques that address the major challenges associated with fibreglass pool installations.

We have a list of partners we work with who offer their workmanship warranties on an individual basis, however, we provide a 5-year limited workmanship warranty, which covers the following:

  • Pool shifting or settlement
  • Plumbing leaks
  • Fitting leaks
  • Separation of the pool from the patio
  • Structural patio issues

What Does the Inground Fibreglass Pool's Equipment Warranty Cover?

The equipment warranty for an inground fibreglass pool covers all the essential components:

  • Lights
  • Heaters
  • Salt water chlorinators
  • Automatic vacuums
  • Pump and filter system
  • Water feature accessories
  • Any other additional features you may have chosen

It’s crucial to never make assumptions. The same equipment may have different warranties depending on the dealer.

For instance, the equipment dealer Amazing Pool Supplies might offer LED lights with a 1-year warranty. In contrast, another dealer, Pool Fun Emporium, may provide the same lights with a 3-year warranty.

This distinction can significantly impact you, especially when it comes to essential equipment like your pool pump or filter. Always check the warranty details with your chosen dealer to ensure you are aware of the coverage for your inground fibreglass pool.

If you’d like to receive a quote from an authorised Principal Pools representative, please fill out the provided contact form.