Keeping Your Pool Gorgeous

Did you recently have an in-ground swimming pool made with fiberglass installed at your home? You may not be aware that the fiberglass material can develop some unique problems over the years that will require professional repair. All materials for pool construction have weaknesses, even concrete. Thankfully, knowing what problems to look out for can help you repair issues with the fiberglass before they turn into a bigger issue.

Cracks in the Surface

Fiberglass is used for pools because the material is very strong, and it will take a lot of wear to cause fiberglass to crack when compared to its concrete counterpart. Cracks on a fiberglass pool surface are typically superficial, and they typically won't lead to a leak. This damage is purely aesthetic, but you still may want to have the problem repaired.

You can have cracks in the fiberglass surface filled with a sealant and then resurfaced so that the repair matches your pool's existing appearance. This is sometimes a job that you can do on your own with materials purchased from your local pool supply store, but you can hire professional help to handle it all for you too.

Bulging Walls

One difference between fiberglass and concrete is that fiberglass material is pre-made as a single piece. In order to ensure that the fiberglass sections maintain their shape, the fiberglass is actually filled with sand during the transportation process.

Using sand is a perfectly acceptable way to transport fiberglass pool sections, but all sand must be removed prior to installing the pool. Having sand in the fiberglass can cause an excessive amount of pressure on the sidewalls after you fill the pool with water. The result will be bulging walls, which is not good. It's a problem that requires professional repair to restore the fiberglass to the way it once was.

Leaks

An in-ground pool runs the risk of settling over the years, which can cause leaks in the plumbing that is connected to the pool. The pool itself will settle while the plumbing connections on the outside will not, and those connections can shift and leak water. In extreme situations, you may need to excavate the area that surrounds your pool to get to the plumbing for repair.

This issue can be prevented if the ground is compacted prior to the installation. It reduces the likelihood that the ground will settle later on, which will cause the need for plumbing-related leak repair. To learn more, contact a company that specializes in swimming pool repairs, like Kokopelli  Pool and Spa.