Cosmetic Pool Repairs

Maintaining your pool for use at any time is essential. Your pool is an asset that adds value to your house, and when selling, it is a strong selling point, with most buyers looking for a well-kept pool area. Cosmetic pool repairs should be carried out on a ‘needs basis ‘. So that the pool looks clean sparkling, and inviting all year round. If the pool is a few years old you may notice that certain problems are developing, and the sooner they are fixed the better. Today we will take a look at pool crack repairs and other issues that may arise when checking the state of your pool.

Pool Crack Repairs

Having a crack in your inground pool is unsafe, and if left it will only get worse. If it is just a small crack you can fix it yourself, otherwise you need a
pool interior repair expert. There are several effective ways to fix a pool crack.

• If the pool is concrete fix minor cracks with a screwdriver using putty
• If the pool is vinyl, and there are cracks in the liner use a vinyl patch
• A fiberglass pool requires a fiberglass repair kit
• If you have a major surface crack, it is safer to call the pool man as soon as you notice it.
• Some structural cracks can be stapled.
• Concrete pools have traditionally been popular for their durability. They can be customized to suit your needs and the position they are built in, and they last from 40 to 50 years.

Vinyl pools are the most affordable to install, as vinyl is the world’s most used plastic. Many vinyl pools only last 10-12 years, as the sunlight starts to break down the plastic.

A fiberglass pool is quick to install, is commonly shaped in a rectangle, and can be as long as 20 feet. The fiberglass pool will naturally insulate and will warm up well during summer. They last for about 30 years, as they don’t need resurfacing and are a popular choice with families. If the pool begins to degrade, a shell can be applied over the surface, to give it a longer life. If it begins to crack badly, you will need to replace it.

Distinguishing Serious Pool Crack Repairs

The severity of a pool crack can be distinguished as structural or surface by looking at the depth of the crack. With a surface crack, you will notice that the concrete underneath is still intact. A serious crack can lead to leaking and water loss, and this is when you must call the pool expert to assess the severity of the crack. An experienced pool professional will know how to best fix the cracks in your pool.

Pool Tile Repair

When checking your pool, you may notice that some of the tiles have cracks and will require repairs due to wear and tear. This should be done before summer, so drain the pool and conduct a thorough check for loose and cracked tiles. Any cracked or broken or loose tiles need to be removed. They break for various reasons, often the pool cleaner scraping against them. It is hard to repair a tile and often easier to replace it.

While the pool is drained, you need to remove both the tile and the grout then replace the tile with a new one.

The grout used in the pool should be waterproof, and for a long-lasting effect use Epoxy grout that fortunately comes in a wide color range and is designed to prevent seepage. Once you finish the work give the pool a couple of days to dry out before you fill it up again. Minor cosmetic pool repairs are ongoing, as it is all too easy to break a tile here and there. Keep a box of spare tiles in the garage, so that you are ready for repair and replacement at short notice.

Pool Interior Repair

Any flaking grout should be removed and replaced while your pool is empty. If it is an older style pool, the Epoxy grouts have improved the outcomes and look of the tiles enormously. You will want to leave clean lines around the tile borders where you will place the new tile. When you have the new tile in place, use a brush to scrape away the remaining grout. If any chunks are missing on the pool wall fill them with hydraulic cement, allowing drying time.

Major and Minor Swimming Pool Repairs

Major Pool Repairs

A structural crack can often be caused by a tree root pressing against the pool. and it is important to keep trees with roots right away from the pool area. Sometimes the tree may be in your neighbor’s garden, and this is a nuisance as roots run a long way in search of water. If this happens to you, dig up the root and cut it off to prevent further damage to your property. if you can, speak to your neighbor about possibly removing the tree. Call the pool repair man to advise you on what could become major structural damage. Check to see if your pool is losing water, are the pipes damaged? If your pool is quite old, it is often better to replace it with a new modern designed pool, that can perhaps be placed in a better site than the original, as so many improvements have taken place during the last ten years.

Minor Pool Repairs

These happen all the time, and if you have a tear in your vinyl pool liner you can easily repair it with a vinyl patch kit.

Usually, you won’t even need to drain the pool. just cut out the patch in a circular shape, and place it over the tear.

Even if the crack or tear is only small, it should still be dealt with, otherwise, it will get bigger.

Pool Repair Inspection and Safety Checklist

It is a good idea to check your pool thoroughly every day for damage. As well as to check for cracks and faults, there is another checklist to be completed by the owner of the pool and it ensures public safety so that a small child wandering onto your property won’t be at risk of drowning.

Daily Safety Checklist

• The pool fence must be 1200 mm high all around
• The gap at the bottom of the fence must be less than 100mm so that no one crawls under. The gap between all verticles is less than 100 mm
• No hand or foot holds on the fence
• If mesh fencing is used the holes must be less than 13 mm
• The fence must also be in good repair.
• The gate must be self-closing and should be checked daily Check gate and latching every day.
• The gate should open outwards, away from the pool
• The gate latch should be 1500mm above the ground
• The gate must never be propped open
• If a wall of the house forms part of the barrier there should be no open windows overlooking the pool, or alternately windows can only be opened to 100 mm.
• There must be an appropriate CPR sign near the pool, that is large enough to be easily read.
• Your pool fence must be clear of objects like barbecues, bushes, and deck chairs that could provide climbing opportunities.

The above list appears quite daunting, but a lot of it is just common sense, however, the safety list does need to be checked daily, especially when children are visiting.

Weekly Pool Check Water Quality

Many of us have the pool man visit every week to maintain the water quality, and test the water chemistry. many of us now keep a book during summer and use a test kit to measure the chemical markers of the pool water and record daily, so the pool man can see at a glance what is happening.

Daily Tasks

• Skim the pool
• Test the chemical levels
• Run the pump to circulate the pool water and chemicals
• Check the water to look for algae and abnormalities.
• You may need to cover the pool at night to prevent leaves and wildlife from falling in

Weekly Tasks

• Clean the walls of the pool with a brush
• After brushing vacuum the pool, and you may have an automated system in place. Empty the skimmer baskets
• Check the water levels, if the level is too high, maybe due to rain, drain some out. Test the alkalinity of your pool
• Add any necessary chemicals
• Empty the pump basket
• Check the filter gauge
• Clean the Filters when necessary, especially if the PSI is too high.
• Check the jets
• Clean the pool surrounds
• This sounds like a lot of work, but it is necessary to keep your pool hygienic for the swimming season.

For safe cosmetic pool repairs, keep all your pool equipment, including chlorine and other chemicals in a locked shed, as you don’t want anyone to touch them. Chemicals are dangerous and can burn the skin and cause a lot of damage if children have access to them.

Maintaining your pool in top condition will mean that you and your family can swim safely all summer, and maybe winter as well.