Our shockrete pool was installed in Spring 2012 in northern Ohio. We live on a hillside overlooking a large river, with an approximate 56 foot drop from the pool level to river level, on a tiered design. There is approximately 15 feet from the pool edge to the first drop, but that drop has dozens of large, flat boulders installed as a retaining wall for the top level. Approximately 4 years ago, we started noticing more-than-usual water loss, which developed into cracks, then repeated cracking, then severe cracking, and now that plus severe separation of the deck/coping area. We reported it to our builder (who also did the weekly servicing) immediately 4 years ago, and they've patched the cracks and painted the pool multiple times, but they really don't know what's causing it or how to fix it once and for all. Our area doesn't seem to have engineering firms willing to do residential work of this type. Not really sure where to turn to get some help to (1) identify a root cause of all this; (2) suggest whether it can be repaired or if it's a re-build. Here is a link to several pictures: iCloud Any information will be greatly appreciated.
Leaks, cracks, separation.
- Thread starter rwelty
- Start date
sktn77a
Gold Supporter
Can't get the page in the link to scroll down.
Edit: Never mind, I downloaded them............................... What a disaster! Just filling those cracks won't work. They need to be stapled and resurfaced. Even then, it appears the soil is unstable and that this will continue. A gunite pool should move in its entirety if constructed properly. It appears yours is cracking because of a lack of structural integrity.
Edit: Never mind, I downloaded them............................... What a disaster! Just filling those cracks won't work. They need to be stapled and resurfaced. Even then, it appears the soil is unstable and that this will continue. A gunite pool should move in its entirety if constructed properly. It appears yours is cracking because of a lack of structural integrity.
Last edited:
- Jul 17, 2019
- 3,730
- Pool Size
- 13000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Those are some nasty cracks. Can you try calling a foundation repair company and see if any deal with pools, or maybe even a pool renovation company in the area?
Do you have any more build pics?
How much frost do you get in your area?
It appears there is a organic layer that starts at about 6" (normal) at the deep end and goes to over 3' towards the shallow end.
Do you know if they excavated that deep to remove the organics before they poured the deck.? That much organics with frost could certainly be pushing on the walls to give some of the damage. The soil profile also looks like there was disturbed earth (possibly a bury hole) under the shallow end. If you did not have a seasoned excavator they certainly could have mistaken the dirt for virgin ground. If I had to guess with the very limited pics I would say you have a bury hole under your shallow end. You could get some test boring done to see what is down there or just dig a deep hole right next to the deck. You will probably lose that section of deck because of undermining and you would also want to be careful of the pool plumbing.
How much frost do you get in your area?
It appears there is a organic layer that starts at about 6" (normal) at the deep end and goes to over 3' towards the shallow end.
Do you know if they excavated that deep to remove the organics before they poured the deck.? That much organics with frost could certainly be pushing on the walls to give some of the damage. The soil profile also looks like there was disturbed earth (possibly a bury hole) under the shallow end. If you did not have a seasoned excavator they certainly could have mistaken the dirt for virgin ground. If I had to guess with the very limited pics I would say you have a bury hole under your shallow end. You could get some test boring done to see what is down there or just dig a deep hole right next to the deck. You will probably lose that section of deck because of undermining and you would also want to be careful of the pool plumbing.
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