Reviving out of service pool: FG & deck Refresh

[Mike1162]

Filter still at 5 lb; water is ... well, I'll wait for my end of day wrap for that.

Now you're just teasing us!

I'd give the tape a try if your still trying to get it clear enough to evaluate the condition of the fiberglass. There's hardly any gap in the crack where there'd be a lot of water pressure on the tape.

 

[dianedebuda]

SLAM day 10, Tue 9/15
AM





08:00 FC 8.5 .; add 1 gal LC [tot LC=41 gal]
filter on
12:00 FC 10.5; add .4 gal LC [tot LC=41.4 gal]
blue and main easily visible
vac pool
16:00 FC 5.5; add 2 gal LC [tot LC=43.4 gal] couldn't believe such low FC, so ran test 2x
19:30 FC 8. ; add 1.6 gal LC [tot LC=45 gal]
filter off; recirc overnight

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Was going to take a pic of deep end tonight, but hazy and main was barely visible.

water is ... well, I'll wait for my end of day wrap for that.

Now you're just teasing us!

More like I just couldn't believe what I was seeing at that point. Didn't expect it to last ... and it didn't.

So, what's going to be behind door #2 in the morning?

 

[jimmythegreek]

Sorry been super busy. Weather is turning on us here too amd were behind like usual.....can you take some zoomed in pics of the cracks so I can see in relation to water level. Looking from afar it seems water is staying at bottom of skimmer. I would think a bad faceplate or possible skimmer leak

 

[dianedebuda]

Sorry been super busy. Weather is turning on us here too amd were behind like usual.....can you take some zoomed in pics of the cracks so I can see in relation to water level. Looking from afar it seems water is staying at bottom of skimmer. I would think a bad faceplate or possible skimmer leak

Water seems to stop leaking at about 1" above skimmer basket - too low to run skimmer. That's why I'm suspecting the cracks.

Posted some pics earlier today, so maybe they'll help? crack pics

Many thanks for stopping by.

 

[jimmythegreek]

Those are pretty serious. Definitely some movement going on. This is a hybrid pool judging by the pool wall pics?

 

[dianedebuda]

Those are pretty serious. Definitely some movement going on. This is a hybrid pool judging by the pool wall pics?

No, all fiberglass. Cracks started more than a decade ago, but didn't seem to leak until now - at least was not noticed.

Water level in the crack pics is abnormally low 'cause I had just done an vac-to-waste of entire pool using my sucker pipe instead of the skimmer to attach the vacuum.

 

[jimmythegreek]

Cracks like that are hard ti fix well without access to the backside of shell. A temporary fix of a fiberglass bandaid amd a spot repair of gel coat will only hold so long with shell movement. If all that water is leaking thru those cracks I'd lower the water 6" and rig up a PVC suction line straight to the pump over the pool edge to clear the pool with the filter. Erosion under the deck can cause serious issues amd is likely leading to help that shell shift. You want to be able to see the whole pool shell to evaluate what's going on

 

[dianedebuda]

I'd lower the water 6" and rig up a PVC suction line straight to the pump over the pool edge to clear the pool with the filter.

Already have a suction line to the pump and pool water is clearing. Only headache is getting DE slurry to filter without active skimmer.

Figured I have structural issues here; don't know if I'll be able to correctly resolve them any time soon. People are scarce, so bandaids may be all that's available for the present. Rock and hard place.

Possible for section(s) of deck to be removed near cracks to check for voids and add fill? (by a pro, not DIY)

 

[Brett S]

It’s really interesting to me that both cracks seem to be in exactly the same place on opposite sides of the pool. I feel like that could mean something. Exactly what it means I have no idea, but I still feel like it could be significant.

 

[Dirk]

Possible for section(s) of deck to be removed near cracks to check for voids and add fill? (by a pro, not DIY)

Yes, they can be sawn out, if they're still attached to surrounding deck. Maybe they're not, and they'll just lift out. (There might be rebar involved.) But the new concrete will never match existing, not even close. Seems Jimmy has confirmed Allen's take on the repair. And I think Allen nailed it on the cause. Those chunks of concrete are moving relative to each other, and applying uneven pressure to the fiberglass. If the pool is in good shape when you're done clearing it, maybe it'll be worthy of a new deck. With the entire deck removed, they could do a proper job of:
- evaluating the rest of the pool
- repairing the cracks
- prepping/compacting the soil properly
- pouring a new deck.

You could even add another skimmer, more returns, etc. You'd end up with an amazing pool!

Regarding the temp repair, even if you could only get the tape to hold for a few days, that could help you troubleshoot the leak. May or may not need the backing I was describing, hard to tell from the pics.

Jimmy brought up an excellent point, especially before the rains really start hitting you hard. If the cracks are the leak, that water getting behind the shell will play havoc with the soil. The sooner the permanent or temporary fix is in place, the better. If you've got rain coming, you should consider reprioritizing the crack repairs to the top of the list.

 

[Dirk]

Oh, I forgot to warn you. Do you realize you have steps in your pool?

 

[dianedebuda]

Jimmy has confirmed Allen's take on the repair. And I think Allen nailed it on the cause. Those chunks of concrete are moving relative to each other, and applying uneven pressure to the fiberglass.

This whole crack thing is somewhat bittersweet right now. Have spent literally months on the pad & cleaning the pool. The water is clear - not crystal yet, but clear & blue. Now it's like seeing the light at the end of a long tunnel ... just to discover it's an oncoming freight train.

I'm 71 and hubby is 79 with limited mobility. We're not looking for major renovations at this point and I have a number of other neglected projects (like the roof on the house) that need my attention. Have a terrible time getting trades to answer calls normally & with covid, it's worse. This repair sounds like it's going to require skills & finding someone who can do it within a reasonable timeframe is daunting. I'm first just hoping the fiberglass pool repair guy that I sent pics to will actually respond - that's not a given. If he can't handle this type of repair, perhaps he has recommendations. The cracks have been around for a long time, growing very slowly. No guarantee that pace will continue, but it's not out of the question either. They just haven't been known to leak until now. I'd rather have the proper repair done, but my gut feeling is that I'll be lucky just to get a bandaid fiberglass patch which will would have to be periodically redone.

As for the temp repair, it's only needed to get the skimmer operational. Pool seems to be holding water without leaking until I add the inch or so of water needed. So as long as I leave the water level alone, seems to be good for the time being. Will have to figure out something for adding DE to the filter though.

you should consider reprioritizing the crack repairs to the top of the list.

You're kidding right? You think that I'm not treating this as a serious issue since discovering the leaking about a week ago? No offense intended. Just not funny right now.

 

[Dirk]

None taken and none intended. I hope it all works out for you.

 

[dianedebuda]

None taken and none intended. I hope it all works out for you.

Thanks for being my crying towel.

--------------------------

Got an email from the fiberglass repair folks that they will call tomorrow to schedule a visit. They sub out deck repairs, but all of their subs are swamped ... as I expected would be the case. At least contact has started.

My robot cleaner arrived this afternoon. Bought a Pentair Warrier SE instead of the planned S200 'cause the S200 is expected to stay out of stock for more than a month. Restraining myself from tossing it in the pool right now. I need some entertainment.

 

[dianedebuda]

SLAM day 11, Wed 9/16
AM




filter on
08:00 FC 12; ok
12:00 FC 8. ; add 1.5 gal LC [tot LC=46.5 gal]
16:00 FC 5.5; add 2 gal LC [tot LC=48.5 gal] low at this time just like yesterday
19:30 FC 4.5; add 2.5 gal LC [tot LC=51 gal] huh?
filter on for overnight

19:30 main visible


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Not sure why the FC has been going so low in the afternoon both today and yesterday. Had been using 3-4 gal LC per day, but yesterday was 5 and today was 6. You'd think with the water being much clearer, the demand wouldn't increase this dramatically. With all the water that I've had to add, maybe the CYA needs to be retested?

Finished the last of the LC that I'd bought back in June, so have to get some tomorrow AM.

I need to make a confession: been in the dumps last night & most of the day about the cracks and did not vacuum or brush the pool. But tomorrow's another day (unless, frankly my dear, you don't give a ....)

 

[ajw22]

If you have been losing water through the crack and needing to add water then you lost CYA also.

You don't lose CYA when water loss is only from evaporation. But water loss from overflow, or splashout, or vacuuming, or leaks take CYA with it.

Best to test your CYA.

If you can return that pool cleaner for a refund I would and wait until you resolve the leaks and cracks. I think it is 50/50 that your pool is terminal.

 

[PieterS]

I've enjoyed following this thread. Great job getting this far. Your pad looks amazing! I'm wondering if with all the water you've been adding, you almost could have drained and filled clean

I am by no means an expert - but in reading your situation, I'd try to slap a patch on those cracks best you can and enjoy that pool for a bit!

 

[dianedebuda]

Best to test your CYA.

Plan to test CYA first thing. If it's low as expected, will use some left-over Leslie's ChlorBrite to raise CYA and FC for a bit. Will use PoolMath Effects of using Chemicals as a guide.

If you can return that pool cleaner for a refund I would and wait until you resolve the leaks and cracks. I think it is 50/50 that your pool is terminal.

I'm a glass-half-full type, so going to continue on hoping (and working) for the best I can. Sometimes reality does suck though.

I'm wondering if with all the water you've been adding, you almost could have drained and filled clean ... I am by no means an expert - but in reading your situation, I'd try to slap a patch on those cracks best you can and enjoy that pool for a bit!

Drain & fill? I'm on a well, so didn't want to do that. Plus, in hindsight, probably would have just added to the crack problem. Mostly likely will have the cracks patched ASAP in an effort to prevent further leak damage and hope that I can get (and afford) the serious repair before the patch fails. One of the few positives, the Cool Deck coating was in need of a refresh and was already a planned todo. And maybe I'll be able to work in getting a bonding grid.

Glad you're enjoying the posts. The sideline by you and the others has helped me continue the battle.

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Think I'll start acquiring some salt when I pick up LC at HD today. Diamond Crystal Solar Natural Water Softener Salt Crystals. If all &*(^ breaks loose with the crack situation, it can be returned. Easier for me to handle in small bunches rather than getting all that I'll need for the SWG at one time.

 

[kimkats]

I'm a glass-half-full type, so going to continue on hoping (and working) for the best I can

My kind of gal!!! Do what you can with what you have!!!

probably would have just added to the crack problem.

My thoughts as well!

Look up at the little bell in the right hand corner. It should have a number on it. Click on it. You have a PM.

 

[Chrissykr]

Plan to test CYA first thing. If it's low as expected, will use some left-over Leslie's ChlorBrite to raise CYA and FC for a bit. Will use PoolMath Effects of using Chemicals as a guide.

I'm a glass-half-full type, so going to continue on hoping (and working) for the best I can. Sometimes reality does suck though.

Drain & fill? I'm on a well, so didn't want to do that. Plus, in hindsight, probably would have just added to the crack problem. Mostly likely will have the cracks patched ASAP in an effort to prevent further leak damage and hope that I can get (and afford) the serious repair before the patch fails. One of the few positives, the Cool Deck coating was in need of a refresh and was already a planned todo. And maybe I'll be able to work in getting a bonding grid.

Glad you're enjoying the posts. The sideline by you and the others has helped me continue the battle.

--------------

Think I'll start acquiring some salt when I pick up LC at HD today. Diamond Crystal Solar Natural Water Softener Salt Crystals. If all &*(^ breaks loose with the crack situation, it can be returned. Easier for me to handle in small bunches rather than getting all that I'll need for the SWG at one time.

For heavy stuff like salt, mulch, sand etc. I use curbside pickup. Much easier.

you are doing amazing and your backyard is gorgeous. What a beautiful space.