It can be normal to panic a little bit when you find a crack in your inground pool however, it’s not worth stressing yourself out over. Fortunately, repairing a crack on your own is completely doable. That being said, if your crack has led to a larger issue, you may have to call in backup. Cracks do have the potential to lead to more serious issues but if you catch it quickly, you should be able to patch it before it progresses.
Why do pools crack?
There are a variety of reasons that may have contributed to a crack in your pool. For one, small superficial cracks may appear on the pool’s material surface which can often be attributed to a problem with your supporting structure. If your supporting structure begins to shrink or flex, it may lead to a crack. A crack may also occur if your pool is finished on an extremely hot or dry day.
Concrete pool cracks
Cracks and chips can form in the plaster of a gunite or concrete pool as the pool gets older. To fix a crack in a concrete pool, you will want to drain the pool and acid wash it to make sure the area is clean. You will then want to patch with one-third portland cement and two-thirds white sand mixed with an acrylic bonding agent and water to form a paste. To match the native plaster color, you may need to add dye. Apply the marble mix to the scars using a trowel, ensuring that it adheres to the skin. You can then fill the pool with water and smooth the plaster. You will then need to allow the plaster to dry and harden in the water.
Fiberglass pool cracks
Luckily, there are kits that you can purchase that contain everything you may need to patch a crack or hole in a fiberglass pool. In this scenario, you will have to drain the pool until it reaches the bottom of the crack. You can then use a diamond-bladed saw to cut around the crack and smooth out the surface. It may seem like you’re contributing to the area that needs repaired; however, you will actually be creating a smooth surface for the filler. If the crack is leaking water, you should use hydraulic cement to mend the area.
Next you will apply a bond coat, which must dry until sticky before you can apply the polyester putty. Before sanding the putty smooth, you must let it set. Lastly, it’s time to make up the final layer with fiberglass. A gel coat, fiberglass cloth, and one more coat of gel coat should all be applied before applying a get finishing coat and sanding the area until smooth.
Tile cracks
Epoxy putty is a great solution when it comes to mending broken tiles or cracks in pool equipment. Within 20 minutes after mixing, you can apply the putty to the crack. You can then progress to fill in the gaps and smooth them out, slightly overlapping the cracks as you go. Underwater, pool putty takes 24 hours to cure. If necessary, you can shave the solid object to create a smooth surface.
Liner cracks
A vinyl patch kit is the best way to fix vinyl liners. Many kits can be used underwater meaning draining the pool won’t be necessary. When choosing your patch, it’s important to make sure it’s at least half an inch longer than the hole or crack. You can then apply the patch and make sure it adhered properly.
Do you need help fixing your pool?
Fixing a crack in your pool on your own is completely doable, however, it’s always best to consult an expert. If done incorrectly, you may run the risk of having to do a much larger and more costly repair in the future.