Warning

[Halcyon]

If you are planning to build or revamp a swimming pool please read first our experiences with Triqui Services.
We contracted them to build next to our house a pool of 10 by 5 metres with 90.000 litres of water. Unfortunately we are now experiencing lots of problems with everything.
They installed two small filters Instead of one big filter and, together with a too powerfull a pump, all the sand has disapeared out of the filters so the water isn't being filtered anymore.
The colour of the steps into the pool is now brown instead of white and the bottom floor of the pool is starting to stain brown too and this dirt cannot be removed.
They installed 14 sonar panels and they don't function properly either. The tubing, the heat sensors, the jets and the regulator have been incorrectly installed.
In the pool, under the final layer of  spray paint, air bubbels are starting to show so it is only a matter of time before that layer comes off completely with a real possibility that the pool will start to leak.
On the pumphouse they made the roof out of wooden planks and painted it but now, with the summer heat, the wood has shrunk and the joints between the planks are over 5 mm apart in places. They also replaced another roof above a washing area in a similar way, and this roof has the same problem.
There are other concerns but the ones mentionend above are the most important ones.
Triqui Services know about most of these problems since december last year but they have never responded to our architect or later to our lawyer and they have never shown up to do anything about the problems.

All in all it is a disaster!

So if you want to build a pool, there are a lot of good poolbuilders here on Fuerteventura, save yourselves a lot of heartache and choose one who is qualified.

[whispa]

I'm really shocked that you're having these problems. I used numerous so called pool specialists and spent thousands of euros and finally turned to Triqui Services and cannot praise them enough for the work they have done for me, thoroughly  professional, so please everyone don't go on one persons say so, I have a lot of friends who have used Triqui and are completely satisfied with their work.

Sorry that you feel this way.

Cheers Freda

[hogfather]

I'd have thought the name was a bit of a giveaway

[fourthwisemonkey]

Cannot comment on the other things but from experience the brown staining (looks like teacup stains) is usually caused by metal and minerals in the water (brown usually indicative of ferrite/iron). Get this particularly in fibre pools but can happen antwhere and the treatment is to use a secuestrant which dissolves the mineral/metal. Usually have to lower the ph and chlorine levels for it to work at its best. This will only dissolve it back to the water so it will come back unless you then ´floc´the water and clean to drain.
Quimicas Morales sell the secuestrante del hierro? and I think it was about 15â,¬ for a 5 ltr bottle. Mild cases clear up in about 2-3 days. Hope this helps a bit.
Often the cause can be the connectors on the pipework etc not being high quality stainless so some metal gets into the water that way but again the mains water does have a higher mineral/metal content than is desirable for a pool.
Hope this info helps a little

[Ivemovedon]

You are only as good as your last job reputation wise. Every service provider eventually has a job where things don't go to plan, but what shows a well run  business is how they respond when it does happen. Not replying to correspondence when a client is not happy especially when architects and lawyers are involved doesn't sound to me like a trustworthy company. In all my years dealing with tradesmen on the island i can honestly say there are more that don't know what they are doing than those that do, the art to a decent job is finding the right ones. It's been a standing joke  how people leave the UK after 10 years working in IT say, and then read a book and suddenly pronounce themselves pool experts. I know it only too well..i've had cause to regret employing some of them myself.

[malabu]

If you are planning to build or revamp a swimming pool please read first our experiences with Triqui Services.
We contracted them to build next to our house a pool of 10 by 5 metres with 90.000 litres of water. Unfortunately we are now experiencing lots of problems with everything.
They installed two small filters Instead of one big filter and, together with a too powerfull a pump, all the sand has disapeared out of the filters so the water isn't being filtered anymore.
The colour of the steps into the pool is now brown instead of white and the bottom floor of the pool is starting to stain brown too and this dirt cannot be removed.
They installed 14 sonar panels and they don't function properly either. The tubing, the heat sensors, the jets and the regulator have been incorrectly installed.
In the pool, under the final layer of  spray paint, air bubbels are starting to show so it is only a matter of time before that layer comes off completely with a real possibility that the pool will start to leak.
On the pumphouse they made the roof out of wooden planks and painted it but now, with the summer heat, the wood has shrunk and the joints between the planks are over 5 mm apart in places. They also replaced another roof above a washing area in a similar way, and this roof has the same problem.
There are other concerns but the ones mentionend above are the most important ones.
Triqui Services know about most of these problems since december last year but they have never responded to our architect or later to our lawyer and they have never shown up to do anything about the problems.

All in all it is a disaster!

So if you want to build a pool, there are a lot of good poolbuilders here on Fuerteventura, save yourselves a lot of heartache and choose one who is qualified.

You do not say if is it a chemical pool or salt water, as this can have an effect on the the stability of the pools reactions to different actions that are going on in the pool. pool owners determine the cleanliness of their pool just by “feel.”  Does the water look clear, and not smell or test too bad?  Then they think it`s fine â€" just add some chlorine now and then.  But there`s more to it than just that.  Pool chemistry is pretty complicated and requires the monitoring of several factors.
  If it`s not kept on top of, you can end up with stains like above in an otherwise clean pool.  If the stains are of a metal nature, you can quickly check by scrubbing a stain with a vitamin C tablet.  If the stain fades or disappears, you know you have a metal issue â€" most often iron or copper buildup.  You can treat this with ascorbic acid, or any specialty chemicals suited for metal at your pool supply store â€" and a good scrubbing.  Preventing this in the future, again, is down to maintaining proper water chemistry.  Certain areas have high concentrations of metals in their waters, so you`ll have to stay on top of it.brown pool stains can have one of a few causes: algae, metal, or dirt buildup.  But how do you determine which?  The first way is by color.  A greenish-brown usually indicates organic â€" either algae buildup or organic materials such as leaves were allowed to sit on the bottom for some time.  If it`s closer to a brown-black, and is found on the sides and steps of the pool as well, then you might be looking at metal.
  And brown stains concentrated on the bottom can likely be attributed to dirt stains, typically enhanced by calcium buildup. have you tried shocking the pool with unstabilized chlorine, DO NOT USE POOL TILL CHLORINE LEVEL COMES BACK TO NORMAL hope this helps.

[Tamkid]

There is or was a trading standards office in Rosario. I am obviously uncertain of all aspects of your problem reference the Architects involvement, if you have made full payment, if you had any type of warranty/guarantee. Me personally, I would take photographs of all of the defects you have mentioned and put them into a report, send it to Triqui Services with a timeframe for them to rectify the situation, explaining to them If you get no joy, you will send a copy of the report to the local paper and post the photos on forums like this. Keep at it and I am sure you will get some joy.

[Magoo]

Seems a bit odd that someone joins a forum & uses their first and only post to bad mouth a local business.  While this may be a genuine complaint, I would not use it purely to select my choice of contractor.

For the record, I have no connection with the firm in question

[Johnrgby2]

Seems a bit odd that someone joins a forum & uses their first and only post to bad mouth a local business.  While this may be a genuine complaint, I would not use it purely to select my choice of contractor.

For the record, I have no connection with the firm in question

Odd indeed Joined on 23rd posted 25th then nothing

[Tamkid]

Thinking about, your right johnrugby, seems very odd to Stony waste matter separated from metals during the smelting or refining of ore the firm off with their first post?? mischief afoot.

[Tamkid]

The warning should be about predictive texting, I used the word salg, my apologies, you have all warned me in the past.

[Halcyon]

Just back after a few days away from the Island. Sorry for the delay.

First of all, thank you everyone for your positive comments and advice.

For Fourthwisemonkey and Malabu: We will try your suggestions re. the stubborn marks on the steps and bottom of the pool, although we are still of the opinion that these are the result of a filter system incorrectly installed. The chlorine and PH levels of our salt water pool are good and we check, clean and backwash at least once a week.

Magoo: Bad mouthing? If you think that I am bad mouthing then I will be only too pleased to let you see the faults, problems and bad workmanship. Let me know if and when you want to come see.

Our intention was (and is) to let other people know what to look out for by telling of our experiences. I thought long and hard over joining this forum (according to the Cambridge dictionary meaning is "a situation or meeting in which peoople can talk about a problem or matter especially of public interest") and we have waited nearly a year to give Triqui services the chance to rectify the situation before taking this action.

Tamkind: thank you for your suggestions re. the Tradings Standards office, we will ask our lawyer about this. BUT I do not understand your later posts, if you think this is a hoax or something then you are more than welcome to come see the problems for yourself (see above).

By the way, does anyone know if it is possible to include photos with the text?

[Tamkid]

It used to be that every business/shop had to display their "Complaints Procedure" and if the customer was  unhappy at their resolution then you could contact an office in
Rosario which would adjudicate, I have only vague memories of this system. Woe might throw more light on the situation.

[Pandali]

Halcyon,

You're correct and thanks for enlightening. I too have had troubles with pool installation and repair so it's appreciated that you are highlighting your grievances.

Doesn't matter if it's your first post or not but sometimes on this forum, as you'll learn, people are quick to jump on the bandwagon and even more so with their assumptions. You're subject of the post should alert people that you're only posting a "warning". They can either heed it or not. If the company wish to reply on the forum they are also free to do so. Simple.

[Halcyon]

Thank you so much Pandali for understanding the reason for my original posting. Whilst we appreciate the useful tips and advice we have received we were surprised by the other rather strange comments. As you say, we will learn both the ups and downs of posting on a forum.

Hope you have managed to sort out your grievances satisfactorily. If not, if you don't mind me asking, did you have to go as far as taking them to court? It is a long road but one which we are prepared to take if necessary.

Cheers.

[Ivemovedon]

Its called a siege mentality.

Criticize one and they think you are criticizing the whole island.)

[jill tie]

Hi Halycon,

The problem is forums are often abused by some to damage others or have an anonymous  swipe.  When your first post is a warning about a business then you have to expect a certain amount of cynicism.   I am never comfortable with people having a go at someones business on an open forum.  The potential for damage can be massive (this thread has been read by nearly 1500 people) who will then spread the word.    I am not saying I don't believe your posts but its a big deal to slate someones business.  I hope you resolve the issues with your pool. 

[Ivemovedon]

Personally i wouldn't name and shame after one poor job. Although i would take it up seriously on a personal level with the business concerned. If i could get no joy after this and was given the run around i would do as Halycon has done and plaster it all over the place. Its not often on here someone is vindictive enough to try and ruin someone over personal issues. If ever. People do need to be protected from the shysters and incompetents, and this is probably the best place to let others know of poor service. It does'nt hurt to keep the islands service providers on their toes.

[Halcyon]

Hello Jill tie,

We are not the ones damaging this particular firm but they themselves by ignoring both our architect's mails and those of our lawyer. What we want is a proper and satisfactory resolution.  After giving them ample opportunity for almost a year to no avail then we were left with the option of "going public". We are both 68 years old and this is the first time that we have had to do anything like this.

If they want to retain any kind of reputation at all then all they have to do is contact our lawyer and we'll take from there. 

We have extremely good experiences with a number of local businesses (new boundary fencing and electric gate, new garage door etc) who carried out their work efficiently and to our complete satisfaction so it is not that we have a down on local traders and until this episode had met only decent, friendly people on Fuerteventura but, as member Holierthanthou said "...People do need to be protected...".Thank you for those words Holierthanthou.

[Ivemovedon]

When i first came to the island Halcyon there were more unscrupulous scoundrels than you would care to imagine. It was a tough task trying to find someone to trust, even a solicitor. Thankfully times have changed for the better and many of the rogues have departed for one reason or another. Most of what are left are generally pretty good but there are still plenty of dodgy so called 'experts' to beware of. I hope you get satisfaction in your dispute.

[Pandali]

Thank you so much Pandali for understanding the reason for my original posting. Whilst we appreciate the useful tips and advice we have received we were surprised by the other rather strange comments. As you say, we will learn both the ups and downs of posting on a forum.

Hope you have managed to sort out your grievances satisfactorily. If not, if you don't mind me asking, did you have to go as far as taking them to court? It is a long road but one which we are prepared to take if necessary.

Cheers.

I was ripped off by another Scotsman on the island, he knows who he is if he's lurking!
I never went the court route as it was just going to cost me more money with the probability that I'd lose anyway, I was advised that said person had friends there.

I basically just had to take my medicine, major lesson learned.

[Ivemovedon]

The only way these people can carry on providing poor quality work or even rip offs is if nobody says anything and nobody knows who they are.

When they are found out its generally too late and the damage is done.

[Tamkid]

A friend reckons his brother-in-law had a knock on the door and was confronted by a guy who said he had noticed his chimney needed pointing and a bit of brickwork done, they agreed a price of £400. After it was finished he viewed the work  from ground level (as you do) and it looked 1st class, he handed over the £400. A couple of weeks later it rained, he looked up at his chimney to see the thick wallpaper that had been plastered over it was peeling off, he was a little disappointed.

If that story is true, its a classic.

[Island Beach]

We may well use a local pool contractor to build a pool.  Can anyone kindly advise me who I should contact ? who has good recommendations ?

[whispa]

I am posting this for Kiko of Triquiservices, he has tried for a few weeks to register on here, but has not heard from Admin, so if Admin read this please accept Triquiservices so they can comment for themselves in future, thankyou.

Hello I am Francisco Molina Melian,  the owner of Triquiservices, I wanted to reply to this Mr and Mrs van kuler who are criticizing me in Fuerteventura forum. All that is said is not true and if there are things that were not like the project, it is their fault and their Head of work, at all times, they were present and never said anything. Mr van kuler still owes to triquiservices, the approximate amount of â,¬ 6000, after a year and a half and now that we are claiming this amount, appears with these Free criticism and denunciations, because they are slander and insults, being able to enjoy the guarantee that has not yet been requested by this marriage and remembering that every time a worker went to review the work. ,,, threw them from his property. The only thing they have done since the beginning of the work has been to take advantage of Triqui Services.
Kiko triquiservices

[Brightspark]

Mr Van Kuler 

[Tamkid]

Moral of the story is, get your money up front before doing any work, at least that's how I operate. Someone is telling porkies.

[Halcyon]

We will not debate the imputations of Triqui Services on this forum as the case is the hands of our lawyer. However, we will reiterate that the reason for our original posting was (and still is) to help people avoid the problems we have suffered this last year.

Again, if anyone out there is contemplating having any work done by this firm (or doubts our word) then please, get in touch with us, come see for yourselves and draw your own conclusions. We have nothing to hide!

[spitfire58]

Moral of the story is, get your money up front before doing any work, at least that's how I operate. Someone is telling porkies.

Regardless of this current post, whether right or wrong I personally would not engage anyone to do work for me that expected to be paid in full up front. I have never come across this before. 50:50 fair enough, this covers both parties. IMHO

[Tamkid]

Your right Spitfire58, an experienced tradesmen would ask for either up-front money for the materials only, a deposit or stage payments. What I should have posted was "in my business I personally ask for full payment prior to the supply of my services and product, my apologies for the poor post and what it implied.

In another life I worked for an organisation which involved me investigating complaints against all types of firms including building contractors. Roofing contractors came top of the list for the number of complaints we received.  It certainly wasn't all one sided, I came across a number of professional complainers, they always seemed to make their complaints or at least increase their complaints around the same time they received their final demand from the contractor, sometimes six months to a year after the job was complete, the majority of these complainants were so called professionals i.e. Solicitors and Teachers in particular.