How to Fix Pool Cracks: Underwater Repair Solutions

Cracks in your pool can be a serious issue for pool owners as they cause leakage of water, which can lead to structural damage and collapse of the pool. In this article, we will walk you through some underwater repair options to efficiently fix pool cracks and keep the integrity of your pool intact.

Cracks in the pool can be caused by several factors that affect the structure and appearance of your pool. You will need to understand these so you can detect the causes early, which saves you time and money to repair.

Ground movement or soil shifting is a top pool cracking reason. These can include expansive soils that expand and contract depending on the moisture in the area, badly compacted soil during installation, the soil being washed out around the pool, or the soil becoming saturated with additional water to the point that it becomes unstable. Soil movement puts pressure on the pool, which causes cracks in walls, floors or edges.

Despite staying water, extreme heat or cold can make the pool’s surface expand and contract, which can lead to cracks. This is especially the case in climates where freezing and thawing occurs, which are rough on concrete and fiberglass pools due to temperature changes.

High alkalinity or low calcium hardness can significantly weaken the plaster and make it prone to cracking. Unbalanced pool water chemistry — mainly regarding the pH levels and calcium hardness — can result in pool materials weakening. Low calcium also causes the water to become aggressive, leaching calcium from the surface of the pool, weakening it and causing cracks.

With time, pool materials will age in their performance, which can cause cracks. Aging also leads to wear and tear on the pool structure, which can weaken it and allow cracking to occur more easily.

Then again, there are other elements at play (earthquakes or nearby building works, for example) that can endanger pool pipes and structures to a great degree. These forces can put stress on the pool walls or floor, perhaps leading to cracks if displaced enough.

Pool cracks are frequently a result of design and engineering mistakes like not enough structural support, that causes an unlevel weight distribution and ultimately cracking. Another thing that can make stress worse and cause fractures is the chosen materials around your pool area.

Bad construction practices can lead to cracks that affect the pool structure completely. Important issues include a lack of curing of concrete or improper methods of installation.

The area around the pool (soil and environmental) has a great impact on the structure of the pool. Soil composition can differ significantly, with expansive clay behaving in a way that pushes the pool walls with a great deal of force. Heavy rains or drought are also environmental conditions that can cause soil movement which can affect the pool’s stability.Knowing what causes cracks, however, we can take preventative action to keep pool water healthy, and avoid damaging cracks that can cost money and hurt your health down the line. A well-maintained swimming pool is not only more enjoyable, but it can also save you a substantial amount of money in repair costs.

Understanding crack type before moving on to fixing solutions There are two parts of each type of pool cracks, the surface and the structure. You have surface cracks that are damage-zipped formats that you can get by on DIY treatments and structure fissures, which are bound to require professional assistance since this kind of crack-up can put the pool's stability in danger.

For surface cracks, take the following steps: 

Step 1: 

Use a wire brush to clean the crack and the area around the crack of any debris, dirt or algae. A clean surface ensures a better bond with the repair material. 

Step 2: 

Prepare the Repair Material — Mix your epoxy or pool putty according to the manufacturer’s instructions. You’re looking for a thickness that will hold in the crack but remains workable.” 

Step 3: 

Apply the Repair Material. You can use a putty knife, pack the epoxy or putty into the crack, making sure that it fills the entire void. Overfill the crack a bit so it can shrink as it cures. 

Step 4: 

With the putty knife or trowel, smooth the repair material and feather the edges into the surrounding surface. This gives a seamless finish and stops the patch from being a trip hazard. 

Step 5:  

The concrete pool repair material needs to be cured fully as per the manufacturer’s guidelines. This may take between 24-48 hours.

Structural cracks are more serious, and typically must be handled by professionals. But for small cracks, try the following steps:

1. Drain the pool:  The first step to take when repairing a structural crack is to drain the pool so you can reach the damaged area.
2. Widen the Crack:  Make a “V”-shaped cut with a grinder or saw. Doing this helps the repair material adhere best to the crack.
3. Hydraulic Cement:  Using hydraulic cement, fill the now widens crack for air tight seal.
4. Installation Of Epoxy Injection:  For further cracks, an epoxy injection might be used to fill the voids and restore the structural integrity of the pool. Fill the crack with epoxy: This is usually achieved by injecting epoxy into the crack with high-pressure.

For more invasive repair methods, two approaches are frequently staples and epoxy injection:

• Staples:  Top gapped method, horizontal cuts perpendicular to crack, with holes drilled on either side and then epoxied steel or carbon fiber 'staples' in place. This interlocks the pool wall on either side of the crack.
• Epoxy Injection: This process injects epoxies to fill the crack completely and through the pool mound and not just into the surface. The Urethane foam or Epoxy sealant is injected into the crack under pressure, filling every void from front to back.

If you have any doubts about it being a structural crack, then it is important to speak with a pool professional. For example, they can evaluate the damage and tell you the best way to proceed to minimize further damage and make sure your pool is safe. Signs that show the need for professional help can be severe structural cracks, heavy water loss, as well as intricate crack patterns.

Repairing pool cracks may sound like a daunting task, but it can be done with the right tools and techniques. It will save you money and keep your pool running smoothly, taking the time to address all these problems upfront saves you money in the long run and helps your pool stay safe and enjoyable. Remember that we recommend contacting a professional if you have major structural damage; always better to be safe and ensure your pool is safe for you and your home!

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