Can You Repair Cracks Underwater?

 


You can repair the pool surface without draining the water. You can fix gouges, dents, and cracks using an underwater pool repair kit. As long as the cracks or holes are not too big, a mixture of putty and plaster may temporarily solve this problem.

Still, it is wise to have your pool inspected by a professional as DIY repairs are only temporary fixes. What begins as a small crack could become a large leak that equates to expensive repairs in the future.

How to Repair Pool Cracks Underwater

Remember, you can do underwater pool surface repair as long as the cracks and holes are small. Otherwise, you’ll need a swimming pool repair service from a local pool company.

Here are things you’ll need for underwater pool crack repair:

  • Swimming goggles
  • Snorkel (optional)
  • Paint scraper
  • Putty knife
  • Wire brush
  • Trowel
  • Underwater Epoxy Putty
  • Underwater Pool Plaster

Cleaning and preparation steps before applying any underwater pool repair kit:

A. You’ll need to put on your swimming goggles so you can see better underwater. You might also want to use a snorkel.

B. Locate the cracks and holes and determine the size of the damage. If the size of the damage is not too deep, you can do a temporary repair. Still, you should contact your local Pool Leak Detection company to assess the situation immediately. 

C. Use a paint scraper to open up the crack in and around the edges of the area you’re going to fix. Make sure to use the paint scraper’s pointy end to rake along the cracks.

D. Scrub using a wire brush to remove worn-out plaster, algae, and dirt from the area you’re going to fix. 

Pool Crack Repair Using Underwater Epoxy Putty

An Epoxy underwater pool repair kit comes in 2 parts or bars, which need to be combined before it sets. The first bar (A) is the actual putty or the patching ingredient. The second bar (B) is the hardener that makes the bonding reaction a lot stronger.

1. Cut equal parts from each of the A and B Epoxy putty bars. You can use the ruler on the paper holder to guide you in cutting the exact equal amounts.

2. Mix equal amounts of A and B putty and mold them as one piece. Knead and roll the putty on a clean working surface or in your hands between 4 to 5 minutes. 

The shape of your mold should match the crack or gouge you’re trying to fix.

Your mold should resemble a tube or a rope for cracks. Roll your putty into a ball if you want to fix a gouge or a chip. 

3. Press the putty as far into the cracks or holes. 

4. Use your fingers or a trowel to smooth the edges flat against the surface of the pool. 

Pool Crack Repair Using Underwater Pool Plaster

1. Before going underwater, mix the plaster according to the manufacturer’s instructions.  

2. Mold the plaster mix by rolling it into a ball and then take it into water. 

3. Press the plaster mix into the gouge or crack with a putty knife or trowel. 

4. Smooth out the edges flat against the surface of the pool with the putty knife or trowel.

What are Common Pool Plaster Problems?

1. Pool Plaster Crazing

Small clustered cracks or craze cracks happen as your pool plaster shrinks. Plasters shrink when water is absorbed during the curing process. Crazing happens when there is too much shrinking of the pool plaster. 

2. Pool Plaster Etching and Scaling

Spot etching is characterized by excessive roughness on the pool surface. Dents and lines are etched into the pool plaster over time. The common cause of etching is an improper balance of pool chemistry such as low: 

  • pH
  • alkalinity or
  • calcium 

Pool plaster scaling is the result of high:

  • pH
  • alkalinity or 
  • calcium 

3. Pool Plaster Spalling

Spalling occurs if there was incorrect troweling done on your pool’s plaster. It’s either the improper timing of the troweling process or the plaster is over-troweled.

The result is the flaking or peeling of a thin layer of plaster, which is about 1/8th of an inch. Also, the addition of excess water while troweling can cause spalling. 

4. Pool Plaster Delamination

Delamination is the separation of the new coat of plaster from the old layer beneath. Small pop-off spots the size of a quarter may not or show large bond failure. Yet, delaminations can go undetected for many years until the cracks appear and begin to flake off.

The common causes of plaster delamination are:

  •  Over-troweling
  •  Thin plaster coating
  •  Too much cold or heat on the day of plastering
  •  Improper cleaning of the surface or
  • There was no application of the bond coat

5. Pool Plaster Fading

Constant exposure to sunlight and chlorine can cause your pool’s plaster to fade over time. You’ll notice a significant change in your pool’s plaster color after 8 to 12 years. Pool sanitizing products like chlorine and bromine can cause the plaster’s color to fade. 

6. Pool Plaster Stains

Having pool plaster stains is inevitable. A majority of concrete pools will most likely develop stains over time. Organic and inorganic materials are the culprit to pool plaster stains. 

Pool Repair: Is a DIY Good Enough?

Pool crack repair underwater is not an impossible job. It is an option for homeowners who want to have an immediate though temporary fix. There’s nothing wrong with a DIY project as long as it is only for a short period until such time that licensed pool experts come in. 

Rather than just plaster repair which we do not recommend, it is best that professional pool contractors are to handle the leak detection and proper repair the soonest time possible. Or else, you’ll be spending more money on major repairs down the line. 

The above DIY projects are just temporary solutions. Do not be content with the outcome of your DIY project. Remember there are most probably bigger reasons why those cracks started.

The Takeaway: Underwater Pool Repair Should be a Temporary Fix Only

As long as the cracks and gouges are small, they can be fixed temporarily with underwater pool plaster repair kits. It means you don’t have to drain your pool water yet. Draining your pool creates natural hazards that can result in financial disaster. 

The DIY solutions above should only be treated as a temporary fix and thus, you should still follow the recommendation of professionals whenever there are even the smallest of cracks. 

The proper thing to do to avoid serious consequences is to have a pool professional do a pool leak detection using commercial grade equipment. After an expert pool leak detection, the professional method of repairing or even renovating your pool should be followed for everyone’s safety.

If you’re looking for the Best Pool Repair in Sarasota FL, Contact Us today! 

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