Today, pool operators prefer fiberglass pools due to their minimum maintenance procedures. However, they don’t provide as much longevity as concrete pools. In most instances, fiberglass pools crack due to natural calamities. Also, they can crack due to harsh climatic conditions that cause frozen surfaces. Additionally, if pool contractors do not install fiberglass properly, they can develop cracks. So, it is essential for pool owners to determine the intensity of fiberglass pool cracks. This way, they can find out the exact revamp procedure needed.
Potential causes of fiberglass pools crack #
Uneven surfaces #
Suppose pool contractors put in place fiberglass pools on a rugged landscape, a crack can occur. Uneven surfaces are prone to contracting and expanding based on various factors. In case pool builders install the fiberglass pools inappropriately, cracking may occur. To solve these cracks, homeowners have to redo the whole pool installation process.
Thin layers of gel coating #
A standard fiberglass pool contains an outer layer made of gel. The coating is vulnerable to cracking after some years. The gel coating safeguards the pool from cracks. Therefore, if your fiberglass pool has cracks, there might be a possibility that your pool contractor applied a thin layer of gel during construction. Nevertheless, it depends on the cause of the crack. Frozen pool floors and tree roots can lead to cracks even in the midst of the gel coating. Moreover, an abrupt strong external force can lead to fiberglass cracks amid a gel coating. You can contact a pool professional to fix such cracks.
Force from water #
Earthquakes and extreme external forces lead to cracks even though fiberglass shells are versatile. Fiberglass pools depend on water pressure to keep their shape. Suppose you empty the pool in a hurry and leave the pool empty for long periods, pressure from the soil pushes the fiberglass pools. As a result, this can crack the fiberglass shell.
A low-quality fiberglass pool shell #
Occasionally, fiberglass pools contain a weak shell. Also, depending on your pool builder, the pool installation process may have had shortcomings. It is important to note that a thin shell is flexible and can curve itself in different shapes. Thus, whenever the pool gets filled with water, it moves and shapes itself as per the water pressure. Sometimes, this can cause cracking of the fiberglass pool if the water’s force is too much. As a pool owner, if you experience this problem, it would be best if you request your pool contractor to fix the problem.
The bottom line #
Although durable, fiberglass pools crack at times. It may be due to various reasons like the force of water and the quality of the shell.
