Help me assess these cracks around the concrete

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W

wesbob

Member
Oct 14, 2017
12
palm harbor, FL
I'm in the process of buying a home with an inground pool. I know concrete decks often crack around pools but these cracks seem to be excessive. There is even a hairline crack running around the entire surface of the pool, following the shape of the pool. Should I be concerned that the pool is popping? It feels like concrete but could also be fiberglass with something applied over it?

My home inspector said it appears to be about the distance that the lip of a fiberglass pool would be but hes not a pool expert.

WEBER-101317 032.jpgWEBER-101317 033.jpg
 
Welcome to the forum!

From the appearance on the deck I would agree with the home inspector. But - you state a crack inside the pool? Or I might be interpreting your 'hairline crack' comment incorrectly.

If this is a fiberglass pool, it appears they poured the coping over the top flange but did not isolate the coping from the deck. That would be shown as your crack.

If I purchased the home I would put in my budget a pool deck remodel. It will cost quite a bit. You might see if a pool builder or decking contractor would be willing to take a look and give an estimate.

Take care.
 
Sorry the hairline crack I refer to continues to run around the edge of the concrete (as seen in the photo, it just continues around the entire perimeter. There are no cracks in the pool It feels like they applied a pebbletec or something to the fiberglass (if it is fiberglass) because its definitely not smooth like a typical fiberglass.

Should I be concerned about this pool popping out? Aside from the current obviously visual issue of the cracks, are there other major concerned here?
 
It will not pop out as long as you keep the pool full of water.

Fiberglass is typically very smooth. It does not appear to be scale on the pool shell does it? That would be white in color.

Can you give us what state, province or country Palm Harbor is in?

Take care.
 
Put the state in your Location if you could.

I would suspect this is a gunite pool. Doubtful they could resurface a fiberglass pool that way.

The crack would also be following the bond beam of the pool. I still suggest getting a pool builder or decking company to come and give their opinion on repair process and cost.

Take care.
 
There is usually an expansion joint between the coping and deck.

I suspect that the deck was resurfaced with a kooldeck type coating and they covered the expansion joint.

I would carefully cut through a small test spot to see if that's what's going on. Not deep, just enough to see what's under the kooldeck.
 
JamesW said:
There is usually an expansion joint between the coping and deck.

I suspect that the deck was resurfaced with a kooldeck type coating and they covered the expansion joint.

I would carefully cut through a small test spot to see if that's what's going on. Not deep, just enough to see what's under the kooldeck.
Click to expand...

I can't cut a hole because I dont own it yet. I guess what I am trying to ascertain is weather or not I should run away from this house? If im looking at more than 5k to fix it and this could potentially be a problem its no longer a good investment.

Thoughts?

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The other issue is that my inspection period is up on Sunday and I cant get anyone out until Monday to look at it.
 
If you're considering that the deck might need to be ripped out, then yeah, more than $5k for sure. Can you ask the seller for an extension to the inspection period by addendum to the contract? It happens a lot.
 
Definitely need a professional evaluation.

Almost definitely, the seller has received a professional evaluation of the situation. Ask them if they have had a professional evaluation, who did it and what they said.

Ask them if they know what caused the crack.

Ask them for contact information for anyone who they had service or evaluate the pool.

Ask them for all records, history and for everything they know about the pool including any known problems.

Legally, they have to disclose any known problems and in any case, they can't lie (legally, anyway).

If they're evasive, there's probably a reason.
 

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JamesW said:
Definitely need a professional evaluation.

Almost definitely, the seller has received a professional evaluation of the situation. Ask them if they have had a professional evaluation, who did it and what they said.

Ask them if they know what caused the crack.

Ask them for contact information for anyone who they had service or evaluate the pool.

Ask them for all records, history and for everything they know about the pool including any known problems.

Legally, they have to disclose any known problems and in any case, they can't lie (legally, anyway).

If they're evasive, there's probably a reason.
Click to expand...

They have said they never had it looked at because it wasnt a problem.
 
Can't really tell what's going on. If it's a cantilever deck, the front edge will be supported by the bond beam. If the deck settles, it makes sense that it would crack there.

It would be best to have it professionally evaluated on site.

If that's not an option, you have to decide if it's worth the risk.

Is there any reason that they can't give you Monday to get it checked?
 
I'm not an expert on inground pools, but my opinion is that the ground around the pool under the decking has settled some. This put stress on the concrete decking and it cracked where it sits on top of the bond beam. Normally there would be an expansion joint there, but not in this pool.
Can you find out how old the pool is and if the cracks are getting worse or just a visual nuisance. If they have been there for a while and not getting worse, then I don't think there's much risk. Just the annoyance of cracks in the decking

Pool_Construction.gif
 
That's more concerning. It might just be deck settling but it might be more.

I suspect that someone knows. I would talk to anyone who serviced the pool. Ask for contact information.

Have it professionally evaluated by an independent professional.

Ask the seller if the crack happened while the pool was partially or fully drained.

Ask if the crack developed suddenly or over a long time.

Ask if the pool ever floated, even a little bit.

Do you know the water level in the ground?

Is there a body of water nearby?

If yes, what is the water level relative to the pool water level?
 
JamesW said:
That's more concerning. It might just be deck settling but it might be more.

I suspect that someone knows. I would talk to anyone who serviced the pool. Ask for contact information.

Have it professionally evaluated by an independent professional.

Ask the seller if the crack happened while the pool was partially or fully drained.

Ask if the crack developed suddenly or over a long time.

Ask if the pool ever floated, even a little bit.

Do you know the water level in the ground?

Is there a body of water nearby?

If yes, what is the water level relative to the pool water level?
Click to expand...

Thanks guys!
 
Is the water totally level in the pool around the edges or is part of it higher than others? The latter could indicate it floated.
 
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