Deep End Bench a goner? Big cracks

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oakridge

0
Silver Supporter
Jan 16, 2017
176
Outside Philadelphia
Pool Size
26000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Autopilot Digital PPC4 (RC-52)
Hi, I've been monitoring cracks developing on my deep end bench that seem to get worse from one season to the next. I just opened again and have yet to inspect under water. It seems to not have progressed. I don't lose water so I assume this was a result of settlement or plaster issues.

Would the following plan work?

For a repair, I want something to match. My plan is to mix a thick batch of plaster (pebble) from my original build with some bonding agent and maybe clean it with a wire brush first. I'm mostly concerned about the top side where you sit, but there are cracks along the side all the way to the bottom. The rest of the pool has no issue except one minor spot that is nowhere near as bad.

Thanks!

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oakridge said:
Hi, I've been monitoring cracks developing on my deep end bench that seem to get worse from one season to the next. I just opened again and have yet to inspect under water. It seems to not have progressed. I don't lose water so I assume this was a result of settlement or plaster issues.

Would the following plan work?

For a repair, I want something to match. My plan is to mix a thick batch of plaster (pebble) from my original build with some bonding agent and maybe clean it with a wire brush first. I'm mostly concerned about the top side where you sit, but there are cracks along the side all the way to the bottom. The rest of the pool has no issue except one minor spot that is nowhere near as bad.

Thanks!

View attachment 646151
Click to expand...
Those look structural to me. Got a wider shot of the area to help figure out why things might be settling?
 
My WAG is the bench was built using rebound, and the gunite would crumble if the plaster were removed.

Do you have any pictures of the build showing if the bench was framed with rebar?
 
@Bperry @ajw22 attached are some more pictures showing a broader view from today (sorry it's overcast), the rebar during build, and the crack on top from 2021 (so you can see progress, which again I believe has paused?). When the pool was built, I had paid for thicker rebar over their standard build. You can see the bench is fully outlined with rebar. I have video of them shooting the gunite in there so I think that means it was not rebound. When I brought up these cracks to the pool company, they asked me to do a bucket test. Basically implying that unless I was losing water and could prove the gunite shell was flawed, I was out of luck. When the plaster was installled, I had a big issue with the builder as the color was entirely off from the sample (many shades lighter). After much back and forth, they agree to not charge me for the pebble upgrade. Looking back, I should have asked for more. I did try for a full chip out and replaster, but they did not react well to that.

Appreciate any other insights you may have on how to proceed. I really don't want to pay an arm and leg to fix this and worst case, I just leave it if it won't progress and I can't DIY some sort of remedy.


2021
20210616_112008.jpg
20210616_200322.jpg

Today

20250515_105724.jpg20250515_105700.jpg20250515_105626.jpg


Build 2017
Screenshot from 2025-05-15 11-09-45.pngScreenshot from 2025-05-15 11-09-27.pngScreenshot from 2025-05-15 11-09-12.png
 
oakridge said:
After much back and forth, they agree to not charge me for the pebble upgrade. Looking back, I should have asked for more. I did try for a full chip out and replaster, but they did not react well to that.
Click to expand...
Does this mean that they added pebble tech over plaster? My question about pictures was to understand what the landscape is like and is there a slope away from the pool or whether the pool might be sinking down into the slope.
 
Plaster may develop shrinkage cracks while curing, which are normal.

Where is the water level drained down to when the pool is winterized?

If the water level is at the shelf, the shelf could develop cracks due to spalling and freeze/thaw in the winter.

The water level needs to be below any horizontal surfaces or at least an inch above them so that water does not freeze on the plaster.

1747323711529.png
 
The water level is lowered below the first step and above the bench. The pool is also level and doesn't appear to be sinking on any given side. So it seems maintenance isn't the issue and if the crack has stopped expanding after 3 years, can I patch as suggested?

20250515_123534.jpg20250515_123613.jpg
 
oakridge said:
The water level is lowered below the first step and above the bench. The pool is also level and doesn't appear to be sinking on any given side. So it seems maintenance isn't the issue and if the crack has stopped expanding after 3 years, can I patch as suggested?

View attachment 646236View attachment 646237
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You can try but I think you will have adherence issues with another layer of pebble plaster.

Those cracks do not look bad.

It will look worse if your patch begins delaminating.
 
Bperry said:
Does this mean that they added pebble tech over plaster? My question about pictures was to understand what the landscape is like and is there a slope away from the pool or whether the pool might be sinking down into the slope.
Click to expand...
No, I was stating they refunded me the difference between plain plaster and pebble finish.
 

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ajw22 said:
You can try but I think you will have adherence issues with another layer of pebble plaster.

Those cracks do not look bad.

It will look worse if your patch begins delaminating.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I was simply planning to brush/chip out a little and just fill the gap (not spread a coat over top). Other than that, leaving it alone or a full replaster, what other options are there?
 
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