Swimming pool – concrete wall cracking/deterioration

Cause

Soil subsidence under/against pool

Repair

  • as in the first repair above
  • if the pool was constructed in recent years, call back the company who built it

Cause

Poor design or installation

Repair

  • as in the first repair above
  • if the pool was constructed in recent years, call back the company who built it

Cause

Changes in soil moisture or groundwater levels

Repair

  • determine whether cracks are superficial or could become leaks over time. Very fine hairline cracks may just be in the surface. If a pool is empty and you see insects crawling through a crack, or plant roots growing through the crack, it is clearly more serious
  • for very minor surface cracking, a commercially available repair kit could be used
  • if cracking is superficial but extensive or unslightly, resurfacing the whole pool may be a better long-term option than localised repairs
  • for more serious cracks that have resulted in the pool leaking (or have the potential to lead to leaks), achieving effective and durable repairs will require knowledge, experience and the right tools and materials. For many pool owners, calling in a company with plenty of experience in these types of repairs will be the best option
  • in the past, repairs to concrete pools were often carried out with fresh concrete (and this is still possible – proprietary cement mixes designed for this purpose are available), but today injecting epoxy or polyurethane sealants into the cracks is also an option that can give very good results. Only use products recommended for this purpose and follow the manufacturer’s instructions
  • installing a new pool liner inside the existing concrete pool may be another option