Hybrid Pool (Fibreglass+Concrete) HELP!

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W

WMYEG

0
Feb 14, 2017
9
Edmonton
We were lucky to acquire a hybrid pool when we bought our home a couple years back. We were finally able to try to get it started up this summer, and the kids and wife are desperate for a swim. Much to our dismay we discovered that we had a leak, we're losing about an 1.5" a day in a 15,000 L pool.

Because this is a more "vintage" build, none of the local pool companies in the city (Edmonton) have much (read any) experience dealing with this and as such have no suggestions on proper repairs.

We have 3 leaks as per our leak detection guy.
1. About a 2.5” section between the seams of two fibreglass wall.

2. About a 6” section in the concrete (most of our pool companies are comfortable repairing this leak)

3. The biggest leak is where the concrete base meets the fibreglass wall. There are no companies that know what kind of material we should be using to join these two different materials and seal the leak.
I’ve attached some pictures for reference.I’m wondering if the trouble free pool hive mind has experience or suggestions on how to fix these leaks, especially the one between the fibreglass wall and the concrete base.

I've gone through and scoured most of the previous threads regarding this pool and I couldn't find much information on fixing leaks.IMG_4602.jpgIMG_4597.jpgIMG_5392.jpgIMG_4601.jpg
[Thank you so much in advance from a couple of Canadian kids and wife.

Warren
 
These types of pools are not built much anymore in the US but were common in the Midwest in the 1980’s. As you see, they do develop leaks in the panel transitions where the rubber seals are. All I can offer as advice is to look up hybrid pools in the US, as I think there are a few companies that still deal with them, and ask (beg) for some advice and maybe a lead on materials for fixing the pool. I believe a proper fix requires draining the pool and redoing the rubber seals between the panels and concrete. That might require excavation of the affected area and so you’d likely have to find a local company willing to help out as long as you relieve them of liability with the actual fix.

Alternatively, you could look into buying and installing a custom vinyl liner that would fit the pool. This would essentially convert the pool to a vinyl liner pool. Then you would need a pool company to rip up the coping and instal a proper liner track around the pool.

Again, you need some professional advice with the above because the panels might not have the structural capability of supporting a liner.
 
JoyfulNoise said:
These types of pools are not built much anymore in the US but we’re common in the Midwest in the 1980’s. As you see, they do develop leaks in the panel transitions where the rubber seals are. All I can offer as advice is to look up hybrid pools in the US, as I think there are a few companies that still deal with them, and ask (beg) for some advice and maybe a lead on materials for fixing the pool. I believe a proper fix requires draining the pool and redoing the rubber seals between the panels and concrete. That might require excavation of the affected area and so you’d likely have to find a local company willing to help out as long as you relieve them of liability with the actual fix.

Alternatively, you could look into buying and installing a custom vinyl liner that would fit the pool. This would essentially convert the pool to a vinyl liner pool. Then you would need a pool company to rip up the coping and instal a proper liner track around the pool.

Again, you need some professional advice with the above because the panels might not have the structural capability of supporting a liner.
Click to expand...

They can support a liner treatment, the load is the same & the appropriate fasteners can be used for track installation.
 
PoolguyinCT said:
OP - the AquaBond product line, will keep things at bay - with proper selection & application of course.
Click to expand...

This pool is in fact a Hallmark pool. Nobody in our city seems to know what they are, most companies think I'm crazy when they ask me what kind of pool I have an I say I have fibreglass AND concrete.

I was looking at the aquabond product line. Some of them seem like they have similar applications. Which one would you suggest for a temporary underwater fix (i.e. slow/stop the leak until winter). Once winter hits and we have the drain the pool below the jets I'll have dry surfaces to work with next season for a full proper repair.
 
I have nightmares about hallmarks. They are the gift that keeps on giving.

Aquabond selection really depends on the materials you are joining.. so a little homework & a phone call to them is in your future..

My crystal ball doesn’t see you using their flexible, for what it’s worth...
 
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27d62449065d61bf2b524902b6106a2d.jpg


276f22e73bf002f25f3fa07aa9237575.jpg
 

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PoolguyinCT said:
Liner over hallmark
Click to expand...

That looks really nice. I'm extra impressed they managed to cover the steps.

Just have to figure out how to get a coping that will accept a liner bead. Don't really want to tear up (aka read can't afford to) tear up the concrete pool deck.

- - - Updated - - -

Also update we ordered the Aquabond DKM 5000 to seal all the cracks above. Will report back when I get a sense of if it's working or not.
 
Following this post up from last year. Turns out with some minor repairs we managed to limp out about a dozen days last season.

Unfortunately there was still a minor leak somewhere. I'm now looking at

Option A:
1. Sandblasting the concrete basin and repainting and refinishing all the fibreglass panels (no idea how to do that)

Option B:
1. Ecofinish aka aquabright?

Does anybody have any experience with eco finish on a hybrid pool?

Warren
 
@STLPool2017 had a REALLY bad experience with AquaBright applied to his hybrid pool. The original contractor really screwed it up and he’s not been able to use his pool for over 3 years while he’s working to figure out how to undo the damage.

Tread very carefully with AquaBright and fiberglass panels....anyone that tells you it’ll be a snap likely doesn’t know what they’re doing. Hybrid pools are far less common nowadays so you have to find a pool builder that knows what they’re dealing with. FG panels and seals can be replaced but the person doing the work needs to be someone that knows how to work on hybrid pools.
 
WMYEG said:
Following this post up from last year. Turns out with some minor repairs we managed to limp out about a dozen days last season.

Unfortunately there was still a minor leak somewhere. I'm now looking at

Option A:
1. Sandblasting the concrete basin and repainting and refinishing all the fibreglass panels (no idea how to do that)

Option B:
1. Ecofinish aka aquabright?

Does anybody have any experience with eco finish on a hybrid pool?

Warren
Click to expand...
I am the guy in St. Louis with the Fiberglass walls and plaster floor that had EcoFinish put on a couple of years ago and it was and still is a big mess. The original contractor (just went out of business a month ago) grounded out the fiberglass seems (they were not leaking before this) to prep for the EcoFinish and the leaks began putting rust marks all over the EcoFinish after it was done. I am blasting the EcoFinish off of the fiberglass walls and plaster floor and I am having a contractor re-fiberglass the walls and another contractor re-do the plaster floor. I have a thread that will continue to post the results of the re-work over the next month or so if you are interested in what happens.
 

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