Swimming pool – fibreglass lining cracking/deterioration

Causes

Inadequate support to the fibreglass

Soil subsidence under/against pool

Fibreglass at the end of its serviceable life

Pool left empty

Listed under: Section, swimming pools

Cause

Inadequate support to the fibreglass

Repair

  • if a pool that has been installed in recent years begins to crack or show signs of deterioration, call the supplier/installer back
  • a primary reason for a fibreglass pool to crack is poor installation (which can include poor transport of the pool to site). Pools must be installed on a level, stable and even surface, with suitable backfilling with appropriate material where required. Long horizontal cracks may indicate ground movement or inadequate backfill or ground support. The only long-term solution in these cases is likely to be repair and reinstallation of the pool. Another option may be to install a liner inside the existing pool
  • if you opt to repair and reinstall the pool, or install a liner, use an experienced specialist company
  • very minor cracking may not affect the structural integrity of the pool. Minor cracking can result from a number of causes, from the gel coat being applied at the wrong thickness or other manufacturing faults to poor installation to tree roots pressing against the outside of the fibreglass. This type of cracking, which sometimes takes the form of spider cracks, may be readily repaired. Consult a fibreglass pool supplier for the appropriate materials

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Cause

Soil subsidence under/against pool

Repair

  • as described in the first repair above

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Cause

Fibreglass at the end of its serviceable life

Repair

  • how long a fibreglass pool remains serviceable depends chiefly on its manufacture, but also on use and maintenance. Some fibreglass pools last 20–30 years or more. Warranties offered by manufacturers/suppliers of fibreglass pools vary. Some have a “lifetime” warranty but don’t define that. Others have a 25-year structural warranty.
  • the best way to determine whether a pool has reached the end of its serviceable life would be to get advice from several experienced specialist pool repair companies that the pool cannot be economically repaired

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Cause

Pool left empty

Repair

  • many types of pool including fibreglass pools depend for their structural integrity on water pressure in the pool exerting force against the surrounding earth and ground moisture. If the pool is left empty for an extended period, pressure from the surrounding earth can result in cracks and damage tp the pool
  • some pools are designed with ribbing or reinforcing to help strengthen the pool structure and reduce the risk of this type of damage
  • whether the pool can be repaired depends on the degree of damage it has sustained. Contact the original supplier/installer or a specialist pool repair company for advice

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