Fiberglass last a long time and require little maintenance, but they aren’t always as durable as pools made with plaster or concrete. Improper installation and manufacturing or external forces such as hard impacts or earthquakes can cause a fiberglass pool to develop cracks. Often the damage isn’t structural, but determining the cause can help you decide what kinds of repairs your pool needs.
Not Level
If your pool is installed on an uneven surface or the ground beneath shifts or expands after installation, cracks can occur. If you see long, deep, horizontal cracks, this usually indicates the ground beneath is uneven due to improper installation or ground movement. The only solution to this problem is to reinstall the pool.
Gel Coating
Fiberglass pools have a gel coating that can develop hairline cracks over time. These cracks typically only penetrate the gel coat and do not affect the pool’s structural integrity, nor do they indicate leaks. If you see blisters as well as cracks, this is a sign that the gel coating was applied too thinly. Occasionally a protrusion beneath the pool floor, such as a tree root, rock or hard clump of dirt, exert enough force against the underside of your fiberglass pool shell to cause a crack in the gel coating. A sudden impact can also cause it to crack. These cracks typically radiate or “spider” out from the point of impact. Having the pool resurfaced by a professional should remedy cracks that don't extend past the gel coating.
Water Pressure
Fiberglass pool shells are flexible, but it's possible for the fiberglass to crack during an earthquake or when the soil shifts because of extreme drought or prolonged periods of heavy rain, particularly if the pool is empty. The cracks happen because fiberglass pools rely on the pressure of the water in the pool to exert force against the pressure of the soil around them to maintain their structure. If the water is removed from the pool too quickly or the pool is left empty, the soil surrounding the pool can push against the fiberglass shell, and, without water to counteract this force, the shell can crack and split.
Poor Quality
If your fiberglass steps just insert into the pool, take them out and go to the second step of this guide. Knowing how to repair fiberglass pool steps is remarkably easy, can be done over the course of an afternoon, and will create a lasting repair. Here's how to do it. Drain the Pool.
Fiberglass pools with a thin shell or pools that aren’t made level to begin with will have problems even when they're installed properly. A thin shell can warp and take on a shape that's different from its original shape -- and different than the hole was designed for. When water is placed in the pool, though, the shell automatically shifts to find level because of the force of the water. The stress can cause minor spider cracking, but it can also cause bulges and severe wall cracks. If this has occurred, contact the manufacturer or a professional pool installer to inspect and repair or replace the pool.
- Crack in fiberglass lined concrete pool Post by czechmate » Thu 06 Oct, 2011 09:50 Curatolo Pools wrote: Do away with that surface as you will also notice it will be an itchy experience after swimming in it as the fiberglass begins to break down and powdering becomes a problem as well.
- There are several threads on here re fiberglass repair. You can also do a google search on fiberglass pool repair. But a three foot crack in a fiberglass pool that is losing water could be serious.
- Due to their nature, fiberglass pools may have some spiderweb cracks in them. Not all of them, but some. Most of these cracks are superficial and should not affect the integrity of the pool.
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About the Author
Renee Miller began writing professionally in 2008, contributing to websites and the 'Community Press' newspaper. She is co-founder of On Fiction Writing, a website for writers. Miller holds a diploma in social services from Clarke College in Belleville, Ontario.
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Many homeowners prefer fiberglass swimming pools because fiberglass is shiny and it resists algae better than plaster. The only drawback, however, is that fiberglass steps may develop cracks over time. Typically, larger or flexible cracks indicate a lack of support that requires a professional repair. But a do-it-yourself homeowner can repair minor cracks using a fiberglass repair kit that you find at swimming pool stores and marine supply outlets. Similar to many projects, preparation is the key to a reliable and lasting repair.
Preparation
1
Attach the end of the swimming pool hose or the vacuum hose to the drain outlet on the filter. String the hose to an area suitable for draining some water out of the pool. Open the drain valve, turn on the pump and filter system, and drain out the water in the pool to a level several inches below the step that's being repaired. Close the valve and turn off the system.
2
Dry the step at the area of the crack and the adjacent areas, such as the face and surface of a step above, with towels. The area of the crack must be dry to the touch.
3
Put on latex gloves and a dust mask. Fit a rotary-stone drill bit that has a rounded tip into a cordless drill. Use medium pressure on the drill and grind the fiberglass along the crack from end to end. Remove residual debris with a damp towel. .
4
Remove a 2-inch-wide portion of the gel-coat finish at each side and each end of the crack, using a 100-grit sanding block. Use medium pressure on the block, and sand in the direction of the crack until the fiberglass has a dull finish. Remove residual sanding debris with the towel.
1
Apply a moderate amount of surface primer from the repair kit onto the sanded area and along the crack, using the foam applicator from the kit.
2
Squeeze a moderate amount of the bonding filler from the kit onto the plastic applicator. Start at one end of the crack and use pressure on the applicator to push the filler into the crack from end to end. Immediately make another pass along the crack to smooth the surface. Allow the filler to completely harden. Depending on the air temperature, this may take up to 30 minutes.
3
Sand off the layer of filler at the sides and ends of the crack. Remove the debris with the damp towel. Dry the area with a dry towel. At this point, the crack is filled and the surface area should be smooth and uniform to the touch. If necessary, apply a thin second layer of the filler, allow it to harden, and sand the area again.
4
Refer to the instructions for the proportions of epoxy gel-coat resin and hardener. Typically, the proportions are given in increments of a cup and drops of hardener. Determine the approximate amount of the batch based on the size of the sanded area. A bit more is better than not enough. Pour the correct amount of gel-coat resin into the provided plastic measuring cup. Add the correct number of drops of hardener as you mix the batch with the provided mixing stick for 30 seconds.
5
Apply a uniform layer of the gel-coat resin at the filled crack and sanded area with the foam applicator. Allow the batch to cure for 10 minutes. Sand the coat lightly to remove minor imperfections in the finish. Remove debris with the towel.
6
Squeeze the measuring cup to loosen the dried resin, and discard the debris. Mix another batch of gel-coat and hardener, and apply a thin coat at the area. Allow it to cure and sand it lightly, using rapid strokes with the sanding block.
7
Polish the area of the repair with the provided buffing cloth. Turn on the filter system and refill the pool to the desired water level.
Things You Will Need
- Swimming pool hose or vacuum hose
- Towels
- Dust mask
- Latex gloves
- Rotary stone drill bit
- Cordless drill
- Sanding block, 100-grit
- Fiberglass repair kit
References (2)
About the Author
William Machin began work in construction at the age of 15, while still in high school. In 35 years, he's gained expertise in all phases of residential construction, retrofit and remodeling. His hobbies include horses, motorcycles, road racing and sport fishing. He studied architecture at Taft Junior College.
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Fiberglass Pool For Sale
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