Damaged Waterfall Weir

MichiganBruce

Member
Jul 1, 2019
12
Midland, MI
I have a pair of 18" waterfalls in a raised deck at the back of my pool, which was built around 2008. One of these waterfalls has been leaking, so I had the concrete above it removed to find the leak. The waterfall weir is damaged in such a way that the water can leak out the side of the weir (see photo). The damage looks like something that didn't just happen, and may have been leaking for some time (the crack in the concrete above it is one clue). I would like to replace this waterfall with an exact duplicate so that the output still matches the other existing waterfall. Unfortunately, after scouring the web looking at waterfall producers, I can't find anything that looks like this. My alternative is to replace both waterfalls with something new, but I'd prefer to avoid that option if I can, so I don't have to dig up the other waterfall. Can anyone help identify this waterfall weir?

Another option is to repair the existing waterfall weir by filling the damaged exposed side of the weir with pool putty. This would be like filling a 4" long by 1/8" wide pvc crack. Is Atlas EpoxyBond Pool Putty considered a viable long term repair solution for such a large repair? I'd like to feel confident before covering this waterfall with concrete again.

Input is appreciated.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_5220.jpg
    IMG_5220.jpg
    489.9 KB · Views: 10
  • IMG_6159RM.JPG
    IMG_6159RM.JPG
    893.5 KB · Views: 12
  • IMG_6160.jpg
    IMG_6160.jpg
    610.6 KB · Views: 11
  • IMG_6163.jpg
    IMG_6163.jpg
    716 KB · Views: 11
  • IMG_6166.jpg
    IMG_6166.jpg
    443 KB · Views: 10
  • IMG_6208m.JPG
    IMG_6208m.JPG
    455.7 KB · Views: 10
I would use Plast-aid. It chemically fuses and bonds with plastic and you can build it up in layers.


Order some plast-aid and mix a bit and see how it works and hardens. Test it on other plastic you have around and I think you will see how it can repair the area.

It is worth a try at repair and run the waterfall to test it before covering it up.

BTW, I guess the damage came from improper winterization and water freezing in the waterfall.
 
I have a pair of 18" waterfalls in a raised deck at the back of my pool, which was built around 2008. One of these waterfalls has been leaking, so I had the concrete above it removed to find the leak. The waterfall weir is damaged in such a way that the water can leak out the side of the weir (see photo). The damage looks like something that didn't just happen, and may have been leaking for some time (the crack in the concrete above it is one clue). I would like to replace this waterfall with an exact duplicate so that the output still matches the other existing waterfall. Unfortunately, after scouring the web looking at waterfall producers, I can't find anything that looks like this. My alternative is to replace both waterfalls with something new, but I'd prefer to avoid that option if I can, so I don't have to dig up the other waterfall. Can anyone help identify this waterfall weir?

Another option is to repair the existing waterfall weir by filling the damaged exposed side of the weir with pool putty. This would be like filling a 4" long by 1/8" wide pvc crack. Is Atlas EpoxyBond Pool Putty considered a viable long term repair solution for such a large repair? I'd like to feel confident before covering this waterfall with concrete again.

Input is appreciated.
Looks like an 18" "Sheer Descent" waterfall by Jandy.
1746201055403.png
 
I would use Plast-aid. It chemically fuses and bonds with plastic and you can build it up in layers.


Order some plast-aid and mix a bit and see how it works and hardens. Test it on other plastic you have around and I think you will see how it can repair the area.

It is worth a try at repair and run the waterfall to test it before covering it up.

BTW, I guess the damage came from improper winterization and water freezing in the waterfall.
Thanks for the feedback. I have used EpoxyBond Pool Putty before on pool fixture cracks (inside my pool skimmer), but never used Plast-Aid. Do you believe that Plast-Aid works better for this type of plastic and crack type than Pool Putty?

Regarding the failure mode. I can understand that any remaining water could be stuck down in this section of the waterfall. However, even if this waterfall was not fully evacuated of water, wouldn't any remaining water have some place to expand to instead of expanding against the waterfall fixture and breaking it? I have attached another photo showing a close up of the failed edge. I don't know enough to determine the failure mode from looking at this.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_6209.jpg
    IMG_6209.jpg
    352.5 KB · Views: 4
Looks like an 18" "Sheer Descent" waterfall by Jandy.
View attachment 642404
Thanks for the reply. The bottom section of this fixture does look like the Jandy Sheer Decent Waterfall you shared, but my fixture has the unusual 45 degree turn at the top. Makes me wonder if this was actually a Jandy Sheer Arc Waterfall that was incorrectly installed to make it work like a Sheer Descent (maybe there wasn't enough water pressure to get the arc effect). I cannot find any photos or drawings of a Sheer Arc fixture. Could this be Part No. 1218CSA Sheer Arc Waterfall?

I could replace it with the Jandy Sheer Descent with Bottom Feed, but it may not perform exactly like the other existing waterfall fixture.
 

Attachments

  • Jandy Sheer Arc Waterfalls 1.jpg
    Jandy Sheer Arc Waterfalls 1.jpg
    109.3 KB · Views: 0
  • Jandy Sheer Arc Waterfalls 2.jpg
    Jandy Sheer Arc Waterfalls 2.jpg
    134.1 KB · Views: 0
Thanks for the feedback. I have used EpoxyBond Pool Putty before on pool fixture cracks (inside my pool skimmer), but never used Plast-Aid. Do you believe that Plast-Aid works better for this type of plastic and crack type than Pool Putty?

I believe so.

Regarding the failure mode. I can understand that any remaining water could be stuck down in this section of the waterfall. However, even if this waterfall was not fully evacuated of water, wouldn't any remaining water have some place to expand to instead of expanding against the waterfall fixture and breaking it? I have attached another photo showing a close up of the failed edge. I don't know enough to determine the failure mode from looking at this.
We are all guessing. Water and freezing works in strange ways.
 
Thanks for the reply. The bottom section of this fixture does look like the Jandy Sheer Decent Waterfall you shared, but my fixture has the unusual 45 degree turn at the top. Makes me wonder if this was actually a Jandy Sheer Arc Waterfall that was incorrectly installed to make it work like a Sheer Descent (maybe there wasn't enough water pressure to get the arc effect). I cannot find any photos or drawings of a Sheer Arc fixture. Could this be Part No. 1218CSA Sheer Arc Waterfall?

I could replace it with the Jandy Sheer Descent with Bottom Feed, but it may not perform exactly like the other existing waterfall fixture.
I just found this in a Jandy catalog. It sure looks like my waterfall, just flipped over and incorrectly installed.
 

Attachments

  • Jandy Sheer Arc Waterfalls 3.jpg
    Jandy Sheer Arc Waterfalls 3.jpg
    127.1 KB · Views: 3
I just found this in a Jandy catalog. It sure looks like my waterfall, just flipped over and incorrectly installed.
Did you have the "rain" effect or a "sheer?" The sheer is available here according to the website:
 
I have the Cascade effect not the Rain effect. As I look at the Jandy catalog, the drawing of the Sheer Arc Rain Waterfall appears to match my fixture exactly (just mounted upside down), but the Sheer Arc Cascade drawing does not appear to have the same extension at the end so it doesn't match exactly (if the drawing is accurate). Both drawings are attached. If the drawing of the Sheer Arc Cascade is not completely accurate, then I agree with you that this is the waterfall I have. I sent an email to Jandy asking them to identify this waterfall. We'll see. In the meantime I might just order the one you found and see what it looks like.
 

Attachments

  • Jandy Sheer Arc Cascade.jpg
    Jandy Sheer Arc Cascade.jpg
    61.2 KB · Views: 1
  • Jandy Sheer Arc Rain Waterfall.jpg
    Jandy Sheer Arc Rain Waterfall.jpg
    127.1 KB · Views: 1
Thanks for the reply. The bottom section of this fixture does look like the Jandy Sheer Decent Waterfall you shared, but my fixture has the unusual 45 degree turn at the top. Makes me wonder if this was actually a Jandy Sheer Arc Waterfall that was incorrectly installed to make it work like a Sheer Descent (maybe there wasn't enough water pressure to get the arc effect). I cannot find any photos or drawings of a Sheer Arc fixture. Could this be Part No. 1218CSA Sheer Arc Waterfall?

I could replace it with the Jandy Sheer Descent with Bottom Feed, but it may not perform exactly like the other existing waterfall fixture.
Spoke with a friend who is a builder. While the diagrams usually show the installation in a horizontal orientation, the fixture can be installed in any way that will provide the desired effect. That may be what the builder of your pool did.
Its not pressure, but flow, that determines the way those falls look, usually requiring 20 - 30 GPM/foot of length.
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
Spoke with a friend who is a builder. While the diagrams usually show the installation in a horizontal orientation, the fixture can be installed in any way that will provide the desired effect. That may be what the builder of your pool did.
Its not pressure, but flow, that determines the way those falls look, usually requiring 20 - 30 GPM/foot of length.
Thanks for the additional information. If this waterfall fixture is designed to be installed upside down, as it was in this case, then the design would have considered water that is retained after winterization, and that shouldn't have been the cause of the damage. So still curious about that.
 
Thanks for the additional information. If this waterfall fixture is designed to be installed upside down, as it was in this case, then the design would have considered water that is retained after winterization, and that shouldn't have been the cause of the damage. So still curious about that.
As to PlastAid vs. Pool Putty. Pool Putty is just a 2-part epoxy that adheres to the surface to whatever it is applied. With effort, or time, it can be removed.
PlastAid is a solvent based product that will etch into and chemically weld to the plastic on which it is used. It becomes a part of the surface as opposed to being stuck onto it.
There are some plastics that won't work, like the plastics that buckets are made of. Styrene, ABS, PVC, yes.
 
As to PlastAid vs. Pool Putty. Pool Putty is just a 2-part epoxy that adheres to the surface to whatever it is applied. With effort, or time, it can be removed.
PlastAid is a solvent based product that will etch into and chemically weld to the plastic on which it is used. It becomes a part of the surface as opposed to being stuck onto it.
There are some plastics that won't work, like the plastics that buckets are made of. Styrene, ABS, PVC, yes.
Great. I'll try Plast-Aid on this part and also order the replacement part you identified. A couple good options.