Resin Above ground pool wall collapse

[phonedave]

No matter what you do get that steel wall back in shape it is going to remain compromised.

Speaking generally, when you introduce stresses into metals (such as by bending them) you are changing their crystalline structure. Bending it back does not put the crystalline structure back to how it was. The material changes - becomes less ductile and more brittle (but harder too).

The areas around the return and especially the skimmer are problem areas to. Anywhere you have a sharp corner cut in the steel, you have a stress riser. Internal stresses are higher around sharp corners.

That sharp crease right below the skimmer is especially worrisome. I would not be surprised if it spilt when you try to bend it back.

You *might* be able to patch in a new section, if you can find one. You would need to flatten the damage, and then bolt in a piece that covers all of the damaged area, using the correct bolts, reinforcement plates, and bolting pattern.. With such a new pool, I would see how much a new wall costs. Either way (patch or new) you are going to need a new liner since you have to remove the old one to work on the wall.

 

[VinnyinNJ]

No matter what you do get that steel wall back in shape it is going to remain compromised.

Speaking generally, when you introduce stresses into metals (such as by bending them) you are changing their crystalline structure. Bending it back does not put the crystalline structure back to how it was. The material changes - becomes less ductile and more brittle (but harder too).

The areas around the return and especially the skimmer are problem areas to. Anywhere you have a sharp corner cut in the steel, you have a stress riser. Internal stresses are higher around sharp corners.

That sharp crease right below the skimmer is especially worrisome. I would not be surprised if it spilt when you try to bend it back.

You *might* be able to patch in a new section, if you can find one. You would need to flatten the damage, and then bolt in a piece that covers all of the damaged area, using the correct bolts, reinforcement plates, and bolting pattern.. With such a new pool, I would see how much a new wall costs. Either way (patch or new) you are going to need a new liner since you have to remove the old one to work on the wall.

As I was giving my "advice" I thought about the metal not responding well to being coaxed back into position. I didn't think about it actually cracking but that's a good point. I was thinking more on the lines that the areas won't be 100% but 85 to 90%. Since it is up high I would think the water stress would be much less than toward the bottom but certainly reinforcing the area is a great idea. I don't know how much SS panels go these days but that could be an option.

I know people say that the liner will shrink but my dad used to take the pool down every year and put it back up with the same liner. I was too young to really observe but it was our yearly ritual for quite a few years. Not saying what's said isn't true just have witnessed a liner dried multiple years and reused... so that's 100% for a sample size of 1!

 

[phonedave]

As I was giving my "advice" I thought about the metal not responding well to being coaxed back into position. I didn't think about it actually cracking but that's a good point. I was thinking more on the lines that the areas won't be 100% but 85 to 90%. Since it is up high I would think the water stress would be much less than toward the bottom but certainly reinforcing the area is a great idea. I don't know how much SS panels go these days but that could be an option.

I know people say that the liner will shrink but my dad used to take the pool down every year and put it back up with the same liner. I was too young to really observe but it was our yearly ritual for quite a few years. Not saying what's said isn't true just have witnessed a liner dried multiple years and reused... so that's 100% for a sample size of 1!

I have heard (not seen) of people taking a section of good wall from an otherwise discarded pool. Every so often you see them on Craigslist - Free Pool, you haul away. They take that section, maybe 4 panels worth, and sister it over the bad section. I guess you could buy the appropriate hardware and reinforcing plate. Maybe even make your own plate (or have one made - I would not want to drill all of those holes myself.

They do sell stuff like this

Amazon.com

There used to be a company that sold kits in various sized but I think they are out of business.


As for liners, they tend to loose their flexibility and get brittle. Taking down an old school ABG every year seems like a LOT of work.

 

[VinnyinNJ]

I have heard (not seen) of people taking a section of good wall from an otherwise discarded pool. Every so often you see them on Craigslist - Free Pool, you haul away. They take that section, maybe 4 panels worth, and sister it over the bad section. I guess you could buy the appropriate hardware and reinforcing plate. Maybe even make your own plate (or have one made - I would not want to drill all of those holes myself.

They do sell stuff like this

Amazon.com

There used to be a company that sold kits in various sized but I think they are out of business.


As for liners, they tend to loose their flexibility and get brittle. Taking down an old school ABG every year seems like a LOT of work.

When my wife told me originally she wanted a pool, I broke out into a sweat thinking about taking down a pool every year. And the green monster it was and all the negatives imaginable! She then told me you can leave it up all year round, the equipment we got was so much better than what I remember and owning the pool was a joy.

That Amazon pool wall section is interesting. Not a bad price if it fits properly. I was thinking buying a Stainless Steel sheet from a fabricator. Years ago I bought a sheet to use as a back splash behind a stove. Either way if the liner comes off, bang out the metal and place a second wall in that area it is probably less expensive then a whole pool. With that Amazon one the stainless is already pretty drilled and I can't see the galveized being too tough to drill through. I would think that as long as the top section t the skimmer and the skimmer size match even if it's a little short it should work.

 

[RASelkirk]

Fascinating! Even if you were to (somewhat) straighten that wall, there would always be creases present that are weak points. I'd be tempted to remove the top cap in the affected area and use an engine hoist or A-frame and a couple come-alongs (with self tightening gripper clamps so you don't puncture the wall) and pull up on the wall as straight as possible. This would mimic the reverse path of the original stress. If you could get it fairly wrinkle-free, you'd still need to (glue?) a backing sheet of something to support it, and of course, it would never look the same...

Russ

 

[Casey]

I'm sorry but the wall is done. You need a new pool.

 

[Mdragger88]

Just catching up on this thread…
@Poolgirl2023 I am sorry this happened
Do you have homeowners insurance that might cover the damage since it was an ice storm?
At the very least a new wall & liner..
I have to agree with Casey, it’s done