Fiberglass pool leak(s)

[Copernicu]

Hello. I have one or more leaks in my fiberglass pool. The pump and auto-filler are off. The pool has been draining about 2 inches per day.

I hired a company that said on their website that they detect leaks and fix leaks, but it turns out that they don't fix leaks, or at least not if you have a fiberglass pool.

Based on my conversation with the technician, he detected the crack(s) leaks and the light leak using dye. He also said there is a leak at the point of the main drain, which he detected using dye.

The first three images below are from the report. The fourth image is a close up of the crack in the second image (which is now above the water line). The fifth image is the current level of the pool.

Based on the current level of the water and the continued leak, it would appear that the skimmer throat and the crack shown in the second image were not the main culprits of the water loss.

What should I do?

Also, I'm wondering if abandoning the main drain might solve a leak? (The report says the main drain line held pressure and the technician said he thinks it is a fiberglass structural issue....if that's the case, it sounds like abandoning the main drain wouldn't help, but maybe it's worth a try?)

 

[Texas Splash]

Based on the pics and amount of damage, I'm guessing this is a fairly old pool right? Do you have any idea how old? Unlike the horrible clay soil in my location, I find it odd that the shell would experience structural issues on such hard soil/bedrock in your area. Some of the potential leaking areas are somewhat common in the pool industry and can be addressed like a leaking light conduit, cracked skimmer, even plugging the main drain if necessary. But vast amounts of structural cracks would require determining the reason for the shell movement (or lack of support) and perhaps a complete shell repair and new gelcoat application.

 

[Copernicu]

Based on the pics and amount of damage, I'm guessing this is a fairly old pool right? Do you have any idea how old? Unlike the horrible clay soil in my location, I find it odd that the shell would experience structural issues on such hard soil/bedrock in your area. Some of the potential leaking areas are somewhat common in the pool industry and can be addressed like a leaking light conduit, cracked skimmer, even plugging the main drain if necessary. But vast amounts of structural cracks would require determining the reason for the shell movement (or lack of support) and perhaps a complete shell repair and new gelcoat application.

Thank you.

The pool was originally built around 1980. I'm not sure when it was redone with fiberglass but I'm guessing it was early 1990's.

It's not clear to me if there are actually a lot of structural cracks or just a few.

I've been calling pool repair companies and a lot of them don't work on fiberglass pools. Any recommendations for a company in the Phoenix area?

 

[1poolman1]

When you say "redone," is it a gunite/plaster pool that has had fiberglass sprayed over it? The large gouge seems to indicate that is what it is. That is very common to pools of that age. If that is the case, and you haven't had a lot of rain, the pool can be drained and repaired. It is not a fiberglass pool, but a pool with a fiberglass coating. I've even seen that done to vinyl pools, right over the liner. I still occasionally take care of the equipment on that one, have since 1992.

If it is a sprayed-on fiberglass, or even a real fiberglass pool, you could fix the cracks with a fiberglass repair kit. Won't be pretty. A fiberglass repair kit can be found at most auto parts stores or online, but to get resin and top coat white, you need a color additive. These can be found online as well. It takes a bit of work, but I've done it twice (in my much younger days) with good success. Messy process, get lots of vinyl/nitrile gloves.

There may still be a company or two that does that work or can re-spray the pool in Arizona. The one in my area, Advanced Pool Coatings, (916) 773-1883, may know of someone in your area. They open at 9:00AM California time. Give them a call. I don't know any one there so don't know what kind of reception you will get.

 

[Copernicu]

When you say "redone," is it a gunite/plaster pool that has had fiberglass sprayed over it? The large gouge seems to indicate that is what it is. That is very common to pools of that age. If that is the case, and you haven't had a lot of rain, the pool can be drained and repaired. It is not a fiberglass pool, but a pool with a fiberglass coating. I've even seen that done to vinyl pools, right over the liner. I still occasionally take care of the equipment on that one, have since 1992.

If it is a sprayed-on fiberglass, or even a real fiberglass pool, you could fix the cracks with a fiberglass repair kit. Won't be pretty. A fiberglass repair kit can be found at most auto parts stores or online, but to get resin and top coat white, you need a color additive. These can be found online as well. It takes a bit of work, but I've done it twice (in my much younger days) with good success. Messy process, get lots of vinyl/nitrile gloves.

There may still be a company or two that does that work or can re-spray the pool in Arizona. The one in my area, Advanced Pool Coatings, (916) 773-1883, may know of someone in your area. They open at 9:00AM California time. Give them a call. I don't know any one there so don't know what kind of reception you will get.

Thank you for the info!

Yes, it is a gunite pool with a fiberglass coating. I don't know what the original coating was (plaster or vinyl), or if it matters? I didn't realize the distinction (fiberglass pool versus gunite with fiberglass coating) until today, lol.

 

[Copernicu]

Update:

Good news. I found a local company that works on fiberglass. They drained the pool, patched the light area, covered the main drain, and patched a few other areas. They said the fiberglass coating was done well and that I should get at least 5 more years from it. The pool is in process of getting refilled.

Here are some photos:

 

[Texas Splash]

Looks very nice. Glad it worked out for you. Enjoy.