Sealing Cracks in Pools and Decks

There are a number of products on the market that help pool owners and contractors with sealing cracks in decks, pool floors and pool walls. We wanted to take a moment to talk about our best suggestions for sealing up those pesky cracks.

Pool Walls & Floors

Any crack inside the pool can lead to costly leaks. The need for a continuous supply of fresh water into the pool to keep the same water level is not the only concern. Additional regular chemicals are needed to treat that fresh water as well as damaging erosion of supportive backfill can lead to unnecessary costs for a simple crack.

There are no good products on the market that can seal a concrete pool floor or wall when there is water in the pool. You will need to drain the water below the level of the crack before you can seal it properly. We suggest that after you drain the water to below that level, you continue to watch the water level over a day or two to make sure it does not continue to drain. A clear sign of another leak.

Once you have a dry crack, be sure to clean it out throughly before repair. We suggest using a product called Leakmaster crack sealant. It comes in tube form and is actually strengthened and hardened by contact with water. It is on the pricier side, but it is a highly effective product and fixing a crack twice with a cheap product is even more expensive.

For more information, please go to: http://www.poolweb.com/Home/Other-Product/LEAKMASTER-LV-1

Pool Decks

As you know, cracks around the pool deck always get filled with debris and other things that make them look worse than they really are. Filling deck cracks can add years to the life of the deck while also making a decks appearance significantly better. No one wants to walk barefoot on a deck with unsightly cracks all over it.

When looking to repair these cracks or expansion joints, it is important to throughly clean the crack with a hard bristle brush such as an acid washing brush to get all of the debris out. Additionally, you should wash out the crack with clean water to get anything the brush could not reach.

If it is a deep crack, we suggest using a foam backfill rod. This is important to ensure that the crack sealer does not unnecessarily pour down into the depths of the hole.

Use a rod with a width that is wider than your crack (it will compress) to ensure a tight seal. You can use a screw driver to push the rod down into the crack. Check the instructions of the sealer that you are planning on using to get the depth correct.

We suggest using a self leveling two part compound similar to Deck-O-Seal. This product will pour right on top of the backer rod. It should be poured almost to the top of the deck. It will level itself out and give a nice clean finished look when dried. Follow the instructions carefully to ensure proper application.

For more information on pool patching products, visit our website at http://www.poolweb.com/Shop-On-Line/Pool-Patch-Repair