Your Fiberglass Swimming Pool Can Be Repaired!
Fiberglass Pools are the finest pools in the world, now that concrete is no longer used by the vast majority of builders. However, fiberglass swimming pools must always be filled with water. Only for emergency repair, or gel coat replacement should they be emptied and, even then, just for a short period of time, and not during the rainy season if it can possibly be avoided.
Pool Damaged By Hydro-Static Pressure
Fiberglass pools will last for more than 50 years, if they are properly maintained. Maintenance simply means following the instructions regarding chemicals, replace the gel coat every 15 to 20 years, and keep the pool filled with water.
Why the Pool Must be Filled with Water.
The concept of a fiberglass swimming pool is similar to that of a submarine. The inside of the submarine must be filled with air or the ocean water pressure will crush it. The same applies to a fiberglass pool, it must be filled with water or the ground water, hydrostatic pressure, will destroy it.
What Happens When the Fiberglass Pool is Empty?
There is no equalizing pressure (weight of the water) inside the pool, so the ground water can damage the pool in any of three ways.
Bulge one or two walls inward until it eventually breaks thru dumping sand and ground water into the pool, thereby relieving the hydrostatic pressure.
Push up a portion of the bottom until it opens like a “drawbridge” allowing water and sand to enter the pool, which relieves the hydrostatic pressure (like above photo)
Lift the entire pool, or a portion of it, out of the ground about a foot or two, to relieve the hydrostatic pressure caused by ground water.
Keep in mind, any one of these scenarios can only happen if the pool isn’t filled with water. Left empty long enough, two or even all three of the above catastrophes can happen.
Can My Pool be Fixed?
Absolutely! There is no such thing as a fiberglass swimming pool that can’t be repaired. Fiberglass is very forgiving, but it requires some labor and considerable knowledge to repair and restore the pool to its original watertight condition. We are the only company in America that can provide both the knowledge and the materials to repair and restore your fiberglass swimming pool. But then, you’ve probably already found that out.
