Surface Repairs on Swimming Pools

Surface Repairs on Swimming Pools

With a few simple tools and products, it is within the scope of an experienced do-it-yourselfer to repair cracks or chipped plaster in a concrete inground pool. It is also possible to repair surface damage in a fiberglass pool or a vinyl liner inground pool.

Vinyl liner pools can be fixed with a patch kit. A patch can be applied underwater in many cases, although it is simpler if you can drain the water to below the level of the patch. One thing to remember is to cut the vinyl patch into a rounded shape because pointed corners will tend to come loose and cause the whole patch to let go. Clean the area where the patch is to go. Above the level of the water you can use a vinyl cleaner or acetone to get it really clean. Apply vinyl adhesive to the patch and wait three minutes. Put the patch in place and rub well, removing any air bubbles from underneath. Press the edges down very well. Wait ten minutes and then rub it well again.

Concrete pools require a product like EZ Patch, which comes ready to mix with an acrylic resin bonder. The pool must be drained to below the level of the damage. The repair also requires a plastic trowel, a hammer, a screwdriver or chisel, a small measuring cup, a large bucket, a mixing stick, and a scrubby-backed kitchen sponge. It's a good idea to wear rubber gloves when mixing and spreading the patching compound. First prep the area to be repaired by cleaning with an acid wash. It should be clean and dry when patching with the cement compound. In the event of a cracked surface area, you may need to remove the loose concrete by tapping it with the hammer and prying it loose with the screwdriver, or you can cut the area out with an electric sander or saw.

Mix patch compound with water in the large bucket at the rate of 1.5 pounds to 2 ounces of the included resin to just enough water to make a dry mashed potato consistency. Spread the compound into the chips and cracks with one of the plastic trowels. Get it as smooth as possible and let it dry. If patching a molded area, such as a step, you can mold the compound with your gloved hand. When the repair has set for about ten minutes, use the (damp) sponge like sandpaper to smooth the edges and make the patch less noticeable. It is a good idea to finish up with a coat of pool paint in the appropriate color.

Fiberglass pool repairs require a fiberglass pool repair kit. Drain the pool to below the damage. Sand off any rough areas with a disc sander. It will stir up a lot of dust so wear a face mask and eye protection. The basic procedure involves first applying a bond coat and letting it dry partially. Apply the putty in the kit, let dry, and sand. Put masking tape around the area you repaired and paint the repair with gel coat. Place the fiberglass cloth over the gel coat and saturate it with more of the gel. Roll the area and let dry. Finish up with sanding and adding the finishing coat. Follow the instructions on the kit for exact times for each step, making sure it dries in between steps. Note: The repaired area will probably not match the rest of the pool exactly.