Blisters in fiberglass steps - vinyl liner pool

[Lanzz]

Hey all - just closed on a house with a vinyl liner pool that needs some things. The liner is shot, and the light needs to be replaced. There is another issue with the steps - I see a few quarter-sized blisters in the fiberglass. When I spoke to a local pool company about replacing the steps, they said it wasn't possible without breaking up the concrete and replacing the steps - a $7K to $10K job. Do I have other options? The price of the house factored in the condition of the pool (and the roof, and the AC and and and...) But I was surprised that I do not have a better option on the steps. Nice to "meet" you all - thanks for your input.

 

[Newdude]

Hey Lanzz and welcome !! The easiest answer is to get several quotes. There is no shortage of people doing pools in your area but there are many who are so busy that they can just throw an obscene number out there and if you bite, they ask for even more next time.

Did they give you any insight into how/why ? My 8 year old steps were doing the exact same thing, about a dozen quarter sized bubbles in the rounded corners. They were random and didn’t fit any easily identifiable mold process or bolt pattern. (Not that they’re bolted, but still). We ended up moving so I didn’t need to address mine. They seemed pretty firm like they wouldn’t pop yet also only on the surface like there was still a lot of meat behind them. I’m interested to see how this plays out.

good luck and keep us posted !!

 

[cowboycasey]

Welcome to TFP

Get in touch with a mobile boat repair shop and have them come out and do a repair on it... They do fiberglass all the time and will be able to knock that out... Not sure how much the cost...

You can also do it yourself, I have never done anything like this but I know about it, here is a good start..

https://www.westsystem.com/wp-content/uploads/Gelcoat-Blisters-Diagnosis-Repair-and-Prevention.pdf

repair fiberglass bubbles in boat - Google Search

 

[sktn77a]

The blisters are just in the gelcoat. They need to be ground down and re-coated. Any fiberglass car or boat body shop can do this.

 

[tfbrown60]

Home - Pool Step Specialists
They sell a DIY kit, you basically grind out then fill all the blisters, then paint with a two part paint, epoxy type stuff. I did mine four years ago when I was doing the liner change. It still looks good.