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"Pool Crack Repair Information"
Cracks may be
hairline or structural
& need proper repairing.
The Pool & Spa Informational Website
askalanaquestion.com |
Considerations & Solutions
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Scroll down to browse
through some archived SWIMMING POOL questions and answers.
Please access the Pool Problems Page and other links, at the top of
every page, for additional information.
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Swimming
pools can develop cracks in the concrete that lies beneath the plaster finish,
due to settling, ground shifting or erosion. Simple hairline cracks in the
finish may not involve a leak and can, usually, be easily repaired.
However, a crack that is structural in nature and is under stress cannot be
simply glued in place or plastered over, as the forces involved will continue to pull the crack
apart. Such
cracks must be stabilized in order to prevent the crack from widening and
causing ongoing leak problems. A product, such as Torque-Lock, prevents
cracks from widening and allows for a rock-solid repair.
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More information about the Torque-Lock Staple System
that makes rock-solids repairs to cracks in concrete pools and other
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Be better prepared and avoid costly problems!
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Cracked Wall?
I have what started out as a
hairline crack, in marcite, below the waterline. I used an epoxy based
product to seal the crack and everything seemed OK. Now, it seems that the
crack has widened very slightly. I am losing about 1/4" of water a day
and, from what I have read, that is reasonably normal. Is there something
that would be better to seal this crack. I'm afraid it could get bigger.
Thanks for the help.
Carl R., San Diego, CA,
3/31/2008
It is hard to
tell if you are losing water, at this time. If the crack widens, a leak
will likely result. If the crack is widening, it is probably an indication
that the area is still under stress, due to settling, erosion, or shifting.
As you have discovered repair compounds may solve the problem, but if there is
ongoing stress you may need more repair efforts. The
Torque-Lock Staple System
will make a repair that will prevent expansion and will be rock solid.
This is the right product, for your problem. I hope that this information proves helpful. Good luck with the repair.
Sincerely.
Alan Schuster, 4/1/2008
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Unsettling Crack?
I had my pool and deck redone
about 3 summers ago. I noticed the outer decking was sinking and now one end of
the pool has raised. There is a crack in the in the deck next to the skimmer
basket and is just starting in the tile. The deep end of the pool and inner
deck has raised 2 and 1/4 inch. What should I do?
Julie, 7/28/2005
This is
a construction problem and I am really not qualified to offer much in the way of
specifics. Obviously, erosion, settling or water table level changes are
entering into what has happened. How it can be best remedied is something that
I cannot help with. You need to discuss this with several builders and compare
the options. You can't just patch a crack, as it will continue to expand.
If concrete is cracked and still under stress, the
Torque-Lock
product might be able to help solve the issues, at hand. Good luck with the
work and I hope that I have been of some help.
Sincerely.
Alan Schuster, 7/28/2005
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Repairing A Crack?
I have a small crack just
below the tile border. If it matters the pool is in Florida. Any
suggestions on what to do? I appreciate any help and thanks for the
opportunity to email the question.
Dick S., Florida, 3/1/2009
There are
several ways to do this, depending upon the pool surface. In the simplest
case, you can use an epoxy or silicone repair material. Aesthetically, it
make not be the most attractive repair. You could chip out the crack, seal
with epoxy or silicone caulk and resurface the repaired area. How
inconspicuous the repaired area will be a matter of being able to get the exact
match on the pool surface. However, such repairs may not last, if
there is settling or stress. The
Torque-Lock System
physically holds the opposite side together, so that when filled with epoxy, it
will not pull apart. This will make a rock-solid repair! Good luck and I hope that this information proves useful.
Sincerely.
Alan Schuster, 3/1/2009
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Surface Cracks?
I am planning on repainting my
gunite pool next year. I have notices a few cracks and defects on the
surface. I am not losing any water, above normal, so far a I know. I
would like to repair the problem spots this year and paint next year. I
don't want to have to drain the pool to get at theses underwater areas. Is
there something that will work under the water. Thanks for the help.
Mike H., Lakeland, FL
4/23/2005 
It is a
good idea to do something to prevent water getting behind the
original plaster finish. Boxer Adhesives manufactures a complete line of
product for making underwater repairs. One of the products is an
underwater
epoxy kit. The material is white and can
be painted over when you're ready. In the meantime it will make a water
tight repair, without having to drain the water. Just follow the simple
directions. For more information visit them at
www.boxeradhesives.com
Good luck and I hope that I have been helpful.
Sincerely.
Alan Schuster, 4/23/2005
► Cracking And Draining?
Your website is really helpful.
Can you give me some information on how do pools actually develop cracks?
I have heard that if you drain all the water and leave the pool empty, it can
crack? Thank you for your help.
Craig. 11/16/2008
Hairline crack could develop,
as the surface dries out. However, the greater danger is that the pool
will crack, due to shifting or settling. In cases where the water
table is high, the pool can pop up out of the ground. The shorter
the time, the better, when it comes to draining and make sure the water table is
not unusually high. I hope that this information will be helpful.
Sincerely. Alan Schuster,
11/16/2008
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►
Cracked Gunite?
We are in the process of putting in an
inground gunite pool. The pool was dug and gunite was shot in 3 weeks ago.
There is one area of the pool that we are noticing cracks about 4 inches
long and 1/8 inch wide in the gunite that were not there 2 weeks ago. They
have not yet put the plaster yet, but will do so soon. Should I insist that
these cracks are repaired, or will the plaster seal them. I would rather
deal with this now if it is an issue then later. Thanks.
Joan R., 5/20/2007
Cracks are subject to expansion. Just filling it in and
plastering over will expose you to a cracked finish, at some future time.
Insist on a proper repair or it may come back to haunt you. In my
opinion, you need a product, such as
Torque-Lock,
to make a proper repair. It prevents expansion and allows the void to be
filled in with epoxy. Once replastered, you won't know a repair was done.
I hope this
information proves helpful.
Sincerely. Alan Schuster, 5/21/2007
► Hairline Cracks And A Leak?
Alan, I have gunite pool that has a small crack some where. My pool builder has
already repaired some of them, but I still have a small leak. If I apply Fix A
Leak, will it fix a small crack? I've read where this stuff is some what
flexible. Is that true? Also, my builder did not install the hydrostatic
valve. After having a lot of rain is when my pool cracks started showing. If
the valve was installed, would the pool have the cracked from the rain?
Robert C., Florida, 10/21/2008
In order for hydrostatic pressure to
become an issue, the ground water level would have to be higher than the pool
water level. That would have made construction difficult, at the very least.
The cracks might not be related to the water loss.
Fix A Leak
will not eliminate the cracks, but could help make a long lasting seal.
There are dye solutions that can help you trace a leak. A drop or two can be
added to a still pool, near possible sites of a leak, and can help trace the way
to the location, as the water leaks out.
Anderson
Manufacturing has an easy to use dye
solution. They specialize in leak detection and have a directory of local leak
detection experts. Fix A Leak: a product that can permanently seal leaks as
big as 1/8" in diameter. It works in gunite, fiberglass or vinyl pools and in
the plumbing, as well. Easy to use and will not require that the pool be
drained. Patching compounds are available, that might be a close
match to your pool finish. I hope that this information will be
helpful.
Sincerely. Alan Schuster. 10/21/2008
►
Cracked Steps?
We have a 20X40 inground
vinyl pool the steps have a crack in them . What is the best way to take care of
this problem? Is there such a thing a replacement cover?
Tammy, 3/15/2006
You could try repairing the crack with an
underwater epoxy from
Boxer adhesives. It should be the
right product.
It may be possible to have a vinyl cover made for the steps. It won't be
inexpensive, won't look as well and probably won't make you happy. Try the
epoxy. It cures to a white finish and it should be hard to notice. Good luck.
Sincerely. Alan Schuster, 3/16/2006
►
Avoiding The Need To
Use A Liner?
We have a very old in-ground
concrete pool. The pool has now developed a crack which is leaking fast. Except
for the crack the pool is in very good shape. We have been told that a pool
liner is our only option (by a pool liner company). They maintain that if we fix
the crack, it will only be a temporary solution since the crack will open again.
I am not sure how, but this is what they say. Do you share this view or do you
think we should investigate other sealing options. Any advice will be
appreciated. Many thanks.
Marius G., 4/23/2005
Such a crack
must be stabilized, in order for it not to happen again. In that sense, they are
correct.
However,
Torque-Lock
will allow you to stabilize the crack, so that expansion will not occur.
Do it before the pool is plastered and you will have it back to new. Good luck and I
hope that I have been helpful.
Sincerely. Alan
Schuster, 4/24/2005
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