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Thread: Step-by-Step Account of Fiberglass Pool Crack Repair

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    Talking Step-by-Step Account of Fiberglass Pool Crack Repair

    I thought I would post the process I went through to repair the structural crack in the deep end of our 5 year old fiberglass pool... I am just a do-it-yourself person, not a pool professional or anything. I supposed I did some dumb things in this process, things that I am not sure I would recommend to others, but it is an account of what I did, none the less, and I hope that maybe it can be helpful to some others.

    Please let me know if anyone has any questions or anything. ENJOYING THE POOL AGAIN!!!
    Last edited by PoolDoc; 06-21-2014 at 06:30 PM. Reason: remove dead link

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    Default Re: Personal Account of Fiberglass Pool Crack Repair

    =========================================
    Pool just after installation:


    =========================================
    Crack & putty patch

    Detail:


    Detail:


    Detail:


    Overall area:


    =========================================
    Repairs



    Holes to stop further cracking:


    Grinding out crack:


    grinding and cleaning patch area:



    fiberglassing applied:





    Gel coat applied:



    Gel coat completed:



    =========================================
    Backfill inspection hole



    Last edited by PoolDoc; 06-15-2018 at 07:42 AM.

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    Default Re: Personal Account of Fiberglass Pool Crack Repair

    Thanks, PoolDoc
    I REPAIRED THE CRACK IN OUR ALOHA FIBERGLASS POOL

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    Default Re: Personal Account of Fiberglass Pool Crack Repair

    =========================================

    Backfill inspection hole


    Viewing the backfill:


    Washdown tool:


    Repairing the inspection hole

    Work area:


    Backfill replacement gizzmo:


    Cleaned hole:


    The plug:


    The back-plate:












    Repaired:



    Replacing tile:





    Refilling:


    Repaired!



    All done!

    Last edited by PoolDoc; 06-15-2018 at 07:42 AM.

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    Default Re: Personal Account of Fiberglass Pool Crack Repair

    WOW! Rubbers bands and chop sticks - not to mention the cottage cheese container and hanger. Can I get an "innovation"? Nice job. Hopefully it will last.

    I would have suggested air tools. GFI saves lives, but I'm not sure I'd bet mine on one. Did you sand the fiberglass smooth before the gel coat?
    In-ground gunite 16 x 30 13,000 gal. Full screen enclosure. 120 sq ft. Filter cartridge, 1-1/2 HP pump. Master Pools In-floor cleaner. Taylor K-2006.

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    Default Re: Step by Step Account of Fiberglass Pool Repair

    Thanks, nefretrameses... It has lasted thus far, and still looks great a year later. And yes, I DID sand the rough fiberglass before starting the GelCoat... I should have included that step. Oh, and if I had air tools, absolutely I would have used them... just used what I have... in hindsight, probably wasn't the wisest move to be standing in butt-deep water using powertools... but I was determined to get 'er done. Thanks so much for the positive comments!!!

    .
    Last edited by PoolDoc; 06-21-2014 at 06:39 PM. Reason: trim quote

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    Default Re: Step by Step Account of Fiberglass Pool Repair

    I'm moving this thread to sticky status, for both fiberglass pools and steps. I'm going to add some notes about FG steps, following this post.

    Tap Plastics (http://tapplastics.com/) has some helpful videos:
    FG repair
    Gelcoat repair 1
    Gelcoat repair 2
    In many cases, if you want to tackle FG repair, you can find what you need at Lowes, Home Depot, or a local boat supply outlet.

    Amazon also sells products that will work in many cases:
    Gel-coat repair kit
    Fiberglass repair kit

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    Default Re: Step by Step Account of Fiberglass Pool Repair

    Repairing the prefabricated fiberglass pool steps, used in vinyl pools, has a number of elements in common with the repair Bosco completed. But when reading information from various sources, it seems there's an additional complication: structural support of the steps from underneath!

    Apparently step failures can be divided into 2 main groups:
    * Non-structural failures, that are often just gel-coat cracks or problems.
    * Structural failures that related to the loss of support from UNDERNEATH the step.
    In the first case, the solution is a straight-forward gel coat repair. The Tap Plastics videos seem to cover this well.

    But in the second case, repairing the steps without resolving the loss of structural support UNDER the steps is likely to result in a short-lived repair.

    The two solutions reported as successful were (a) use of expanding foam to fill in under the steps, and (b) use of round river gravel or pea gravel to fill. Obviously expanding foam can't fill in very large voids, but can be used in the case of smaller ones. If you use foam, be VERY careful to know what you are doing; these products can be tricky to use. Some expanding foams could actually damage your steps if you use too much.

    This site seems helpful to have helpful information: www.aeromarineproducts.com/boat-foam.htm
    Last edited by PoolDoc; 06-15-2018 at 07:41 AM.

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