Do fiberglass pools crack and bulge?
Although fiberglass pools can seem flimsy compared to concrete, they’re actually very durable and easy to maintain. This makes fiberglass pools more cost-effective, as there’s less need for chemicals and scrubbing. But even though fiberglass pools are durable, they can occasionally develop some cracks and bulges.
Are fiberglass pools taking over the pool industry?
In 2020 Fiberglass Pools are taking the pool industry by storm. However, things have not always been sunshine and rainbows for fiberglass swimming pools. It's time to be honest and address the elephant in the room.
What causes gelcoat spider cracks in fiberglass pools?
Gelcoat spider cracks in fiberglass pools are a result of pressure on a given point of the pool shell that exceeds the gelcoat's ability to flex. This pressure could be a result of improper shipping, improper manufacturing, or improper installation. Before we began manufacturing at River Pools,...
Do fiberglass pools come in different colors?
Learn how we make your fiberglass pool and how our methods revolutionized the industry. Colored fiberglass pools have become the norm. Virtually all manufacturers now offer a variety of colors beyond the standard white and baby blue marine gelcoat.
What are the disadvantages of a fiberglass pool?
List of the Cons of Fiberglass PoolsPoor installation practices can impact the quality of your pool. ... The fiberglass can interfere with the quality of the water. ... There is still a significant cost to consider when installing a pool. ... Fiberglass pools are prefabricated. ... The fiberglass can be susceptible to warping issues.More items...•
What happens if a fiberglass pool cracks?
If the fiberglass arrives on-site cracked, it should be sent back and not installed. If the gelcoat is too thick, it is less flexible and more likely to crack. In addition, outside factors like a tree branch or other intrusion can put pressure on the pool and cause spider cracks to form post-construction.
What is the life expectancy of a fiberglass pool?
A Pool That Lasts a Lifetime Most fiberglass pools are known to last 25-30 years, but we take that to the next level. Our manufacturer, Narellan Pools, makes the best fiberglass pools around. Their unique fiberglass formula results in a pool that can last as long as 50 years!
Do fiberglass pools crack in cold weather?
Fiberglass Pools in Cold Climates Freezing and thawing won't strain or crack a fiberglass pool like it might with a concrete pool, so you shouldn't have to worry as much about your pool cracking or breaking.
How much does it cost to fix a crack in a fiberglass pool?
Fiberglass Leak Repairs Fiberglass pool repair costs $300 to $400 for a gel coat that restores dinged, scratched and cracked surfaces. Expect to pay up to $800 more to repaint after doing the repairs. You also have to cover the cost of draining the water, refilling the pool and applying the right chemicals.
Is a fiberglass pool worth it?
Fiberglass pools are durable Both the structure and the surface of a high-quality fiberglass pool can last a long time, provided you take good care of it. A well-made fiberglass pool can last at least 50 years, with less maintenance required to keep it useful and enjoyable decade after decade.
Can you use salt water in a fiberglass pool?
Fiberglass swimming pools are very compatible with salt water systems. If you are using a vinyl liner pool, you must be careful as those pools tend to have metal parts or connections which salt will eat through and corrode.
Can fiberglass pools scratch?
Fiberglass Pool Surface Care The gel-coat finish of your fiberglass pool can be scratched like any other gloss surface. The gelcoat is seven to eight times thicker than a normal coat of paint so it is not likely that scratches will be more than superficial.
Can fiberglass pools be heated?
Luckily, heating is not only an option for fiberglass pools, it's actually a wonderful idea for them. Fiberglass pools are both the easiest type of pool to heat and the least expensive.
Which is better vinyl or fiberglass pool?
Fiberglass pools are exceptionally durable and can last the lifetime of a home. Vinyl liner pools can also last the lifetime of a home. However, the liner itself will need to be replaced on average every ten years, but provides a unique opportunity to completely refresh the look of your pool.
Are fiberglass pools good in winter?
Fiberglass pools are the perfect choice for cold climates. We all know just how tough Mother Nature can be and temperatures well below freezing are notorious for damaging property.
How deep can a fiberglass pool go?
around four to six feet deepThe truth is, you are limited in so many ways. For one, you are limited to what is going to fit on the truck that delivers the pool to your property. That means you can't go extra-large or extra-deep. In fact, fiberglass pools are typically limited to a maximum depth of around four to six feet deep.
Why does my fiberglass pool crack?
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.
What is the outer layer of a fiberglass pool?
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.
Can a pool crack from a gel coating?
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.
Is fiberglass a weak 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.
How to prevent cracks in fibreglass pool?
As we’ve mentioned earlier in this article (okay, maybe every second paragraph!) the single most effective way you can prevent cracks forming in your fibreglass pool is to use a qualified and experienced pool installer. It’s because of this that we recommend you get in touch with Barrier Reef Pools today if you’re thinking of purchasing a fibreglass pool. Our expert team of professionals have over 30 years of experience in installing pools the right way, and plenty of happy, satisfied customers to back our title of Australia’s favourite fibreglass pools. Leave the worries of cracks behind; get in touch today for your dream fibreglass pool in a little as 7 days!
Why does my pool crack?
This is most commonly the result of a pool installer (or team) that can be inexperienced with installing a fibreglass pool, certain design, or working with a complex backyard, such as tough soil or sediment. Cracks can also form as a result of a fibreglass pool being installed on an uneven surface.
Why is it important to choose a pool manufacturer?
It is critically important then that you choose a pool supplier who has extensive experience in installing pools correctly and carefully, as well as someone who is qualified to work with the necessary tools.
How long does it take for a pool to show signs of improper installation?
Unfortunately, the results of an improper installation can sometimes take years to show. During this time the installer could have moved on, leaving you high and dry (and your pool cracked!)
Why does my pool have air pockets?
This typically happens as a result of the protective layering of your pool’s surface erodes due to chemical imbalance. So make sure you use the right amount of chlorine and chemicals as instructed by your installer!
How long does it take to build a pool?
The pool excavation and construction process will begin & can be completed in as little as seven hassle free days.
Is a crack in a pool bad?
However, not every crack is a bad crack! Okay, so maybe all cracks look bad, but some of them are not necessarily damaging to the structure of your pool. Spider cracks come under this category: they are a small type of crack that runs primarily along the surface of your pool’s gel coating, rather than the actual surface of your pool, meaning that they are not at risk of damaging your pool’s structural support. Spider cracks form in your pool’s gel coating when a point of pressure exceeds the flexibility limit of your pool’s gel-coat. This most commonly occurs during transport of the fibreglass pool – just another reason to use a verified pool manufacturer.
How long do fiberglass pools last?
Fiberglass pools are the most low maintenance and if you take care of them properly, they should last decades. They require less than half of the maintenance work required for concrete and vinyl pools because of their gel coat that makes them less porous, so it’s harder for water and chemicals to get absorbed and damage the pool surface.
How much does it cost to resurface a fiberglass pool?
The cost to get your fiberglass pool professionally resurfaced is about $6500 , but it depends on the size, shape and age of your pool, as well as the finishes. Luckily for fiberglass pool owners, fiberglass pool surfaces are pretty standard, so the the price of pool repair should be less variable than with materials like gunite, for instance.
Why is my pool cracking?
But even with proper maintenance, being exposed to harsh chemicals and other elements can cause havoc to your pool and can lead to cracks and bulges appearing. Follow the steps below to help repair these unsightly blemishes to your pool’s surface.
How to remove peeling paint from crack?
Use an electric sander to sand down the area around the crack or bulge to remove any loose dirt and peeling paint before applying acetone to get rid of any residual dust. Don’t manually sand the area with sandpaper as it won’t produce as smooth a result as an electric sander does.
How far below the water level should you clean a fiberglass pool?
Make sure to collect samples at least 18 inches below the water level on either side of the return jet. When cleaning a fiberglass pool, always ensure you use nylon bristles so that you don’t scratch the surface of the pool and use a pool vacuum that is heavy enough to remove dirt and debris that has sunk to the bottom.
What to do if crack is leaking water?
If the crack is leaking water, first apply hydraulic cement before applying the bond coat.
Is fiberglass pool repair cost effective?
This makes fiberglass pools more cost-effective, as there’s less need for chemicals and scrubbing. But even though fiberglass pools are durable, they can occasionally develop some cracks and bulges. Here’s what you need to know about fiberglass pool repair.
Why does my pool crack?
One of the main reasons that a fibreglass pool may crack is due to incorrect installation of the fibreglass pool shell. If the pool is installed on an uneven surface, or the ground beneath the pool begins to shift or expand , this is likely to cause cracks in the pool shell. At Master Pools, our team of experts have the experience and ability to install your swimming pool correctly, to ensure that there is no reason for surface or structural cracks to appear in the first place. This involves the clearing of the site, precise levelling of the pool, and the suitable backfill where required.
Is fibreglass better than concrete?
In terms of everyday wear, fibreglass is a much more resistant surface than concrete in the long term. Concrete can be easily cracked or chipped from even a small amount of pressure that may occur from running, jumping and swimming around the pool. This is due to the fact that concrete is strong in compression but weak in tension. It can withstand great force on top of it, but a sharp movement like a jump or kick may cause concrete to chip and break away. The fibreglass used in swimming pools is reinforced to ensure that the surface stays strong for extended periods of time, so that everyday wear has less of an impact on the pool. Fibreglass pool manufacturers tend to offer lengthy warranties on their products as they are confident in the durable properties of fibreglass. Unstable soil and ground movements can be a pool owner’s worst nightmare, but fibreglass is extremely resistant and can provide much more stability than a concrete pool would. This is due to the orientation and structure of the woven material used to make a fibreglass shell, which provides great strength and flexibility.
Why does my fiberglass pool have spider cracks?
Gelcoat spider cracks in fiberglass pools are a result of pressure on a given point of the pool shell that exceeds the gelcoat's ability to flex. This pressure could be a result of improper shipping, improper manufacturing, or improper installation.
How long does it take to repair a fiberglass pool?
The reality is that the vast majority of fiberglass pools do not need repairs within the first 20 to 40 years. However, sometimes issues arise that merit repair work.
Why is it so hard to see spider cracks in my pool?
The bad news: it's hard to see them in the image because even in an empty pool they don't show very well. The good news: it's hard to see them, so in the unlikely event that they develop in your pool, you likely won't care. Spider cracks have always been accepted as a reality of all types of fiberglass products.
What is spider crack?
Spider cracks are hairline cracks that occur in the surface layer, or gelcoat, of a fiberglass product. They are not structural in nature—the crack is normally only through the thin layer of gelcoat and does not typically extend into the structural laminate layers of the pool.
How far out of level should a fiberglass pool be?
Many times, fiberglass pool installers are forced to attempt to level a pool shell that is 2–3" out of level despite their best efforts to modify the base that the pool rests on. They lift and tweak the pool shell until they get it within a tolerable range.
What finishes do River Pools use?
At River Pools, we only use solid surface gelcoat finishes, in a single application.
How thick should a fiberglass pool be?
2. Build a thick pool. The average thickness should be somewhere between 3/8" to 1/2" depending on the section of the pool. 3.
Why did fiberglass pools look like bathtubs?
Cause: Early on fiberglass pool manufacturers did not necessarily have the imagination or foresight to create bold and intriguing designs. Most were white and either kidney or semi-rectangular with no tile. So in all fairness fiberglass pools did use to look like big bathtubs.
What causes a pool to be settling?
Cause: Improper backfill or base (settling), Unlevel pool base, improper handling of the pool
What is cross lynx in pool?
Cross-Lynx is a series of cutting-edge materials and manufacturing best practices that ensure you have the strongest, most durable fiberglass pool possible. Without getting too technical, the core premise of Cross-Lynx is to drive a process called polymerization during the manufacturing process. Polymerization is the process by which polymer molecules cross-link together to form a web of strength within each layer of the shell structure. Each layer of each fiberglass pool undergoes this polymerization process. The more cross-linking that occurs, the stronger and more corrosion-resistant the pool shell becomes. Cross-Lynx Composite Technology was created to fuse the entire structure together, layer by layer, into a single composite structure that's incredibly strong and durable.
Can a fiberglass pool float?
This is more nuanced than a simple yes or no answer but, yes a fiberglass pool can float. However, the same can be said about any type of pool. Even concrete pools!
Can you customize a fiberglass pool?
Cause: There actually is no cause. You can customize fiberglass pools.
Will fiberglass pools be available in 2020?
In 2020 Fiberglass Pools are taking the pool industry by storm. However, things have not always been sunshine and rainbows for fiberglass swimming pools. It's time to be honest and address the elephant in the room. Fiberglass pools have had their shortcomings in the past and in this article, we will address those problems and what we have done to solve those issues.
