In commercial aquatic construction, success is often attributed to materials. When projects perform well, the finish gets credit.
When they fail, the finish gets blamed. But for Zack Tanner, founder of ZTI LLC, performance begins long before the material ever touches the pool shell.
“The membrane isn’t the problem,” Tanner explained. “If there’s a failure, it’s almost always something underneath it—pressure, fittings or how it was installed.”
ZTI has built a reputation in the commercial aquatic market for being selective, deliberate and uncompromising in its installation standards. While many contractors compete primarily on price, Tanner’s team competes on precision. And that precision, he argues, is what separates predictable performance from recurring failure.
Discipline Before Installation
ZTI’s approach to renovation does not begin with surface preparation or material layout. It begins with testing.
“We pressure test everything,” Tanner said. “Before we install anything, we want to know that the plumbing system is sound. If there’s a leak, we find it before the liner goes in.”
In renovation projects, particularly those involving aging municipal facilities, piping systems may have been in place for decades. Without pre-install pressure testing, leaks discovered after installation can be misattributed to the finish system.
Tanner sees that misdiagnosis happen regularly in the industry. “People say the liner failed,” he said. “But when you dig into it, it’s a pipe leak or a fitting issue that was there before.”
Fittings Matter
In many mechanically attached systems, surface penetrations rely on compression rings and fasteners to create seals. While these systems can perform effectively when properly installed, they are highly dependent on consistent detailing. ZTI instead prioritizes PVC-compliant fittings and welded integration wherever possible.
“We don’t want something that’s relying on a screw and a gasket to hold back water long-term,” Tanner said. “We want everything fused, everything tied together as a system.”
The philosophy is simple: reduce variables. The fewer independent sealing points, the lower the chance of long-term leakage due to movement, vibration or inconsistent torque. This mindset aligns with what many aquatic engineers increasingly emphasize—that performance is often determined by attachment and termination detailing, not surface material alone.
Installation Is the Product
“The installer makes or breaks the system,” Tanner said. “You can have the best material in the world, but if the crew isn’t trained or they cut corners, you’re going to have problems.”
His crews operate under tightly defined procedures:
- Documented pressure testing
- Strict fitting replacement protocols
- Defined seam welding techniques
- Internal quality inspections before turnover
Rather than viewing these steps as optional, ZTI treats them as part of the deliverable.
Competing on Precision, Not Price
In the municipal market, projects are often awarded to the lowest responsible bidder. That structure can create pressure to reduce scope, simplify detailing or skip pre-install testing.
ZTI has taken a different path. “There are jobs we won’t take,” Tanner said. “If we can’t control the process, we don’t want our name
on it.”
That selectivity has allowed the company to build a reputation for reliability among engineers and facility owners who prioritize long-term performance over lowest first cost.
Reinforced PVC membrane systems, when installed with disciplined welding and controlled attachment methods, can provide a continuous interior barrier that functions independently of minor substrate irregularities. But as Tanner emphasizes, the system only performs as well as its installation.
“Consistency is everything,” he said. “Every seam, every fitting, every detail has to be right.”
The Broader Industry Shift
Across the aquatic sector, there is growing recognition that specification clarity and installer accountability must increase alongside renovation volume.
With aging facilities and limited capital budgets, extending service life has become a priority. At the same time, large engineering firms are exploring ways to incorporate certified installer requirements, installation checklists and documentation standards into non-proprietary public specifications. These measures signal a broader shift: from material comparison to process control.
Rather than treating reinforced membrane installation as a commodity service, Tanner’s team treats it as a controlled system. Plumbing is verified. Fittings are evaluated and replaced where necessary. Welding procedures are standardized. Internal inspections are routine.
The result is not simply a finished pool—but a documented, disciplined installation.
Precision as Differentiation
In an industry where surface materials are often compared side by side, ZTI has found success by competing on execution. “The difference is in the details,” Tanner said. “Anyone can roll out material. Not everyone takes the time to control every variable.”
As renovation continues to outpace new construction in many regions, that attention to detail may become the defining characteristic of high-performing aquatic projects.
Finish systems will continue to evolve. Materials will improve. But as Tanner’s experience demonstrates, precision in specification, preparation and installation remains the most reliable predictor of long-term success.
In commercial aquatics, the surface may be what you see. But performance is built into everything beneath it.