How often do concrete pools crack?

Author: Edna Kuphal  |  Last update: Sunday, July 3, 2022

Although rare, and affecting less than 1% of all pools, concrete pools can crack. If it happens at all, it usually happens within the first year, as a result of shrinkage, settlement and/or subsidence. Pools can also crack when they are simply not built correctly, as shown in the list above.

Do concrete pools crack?

In-ground concrete swimming pools are usually durable installations that last for decades. However, gunite, shotcrete, or concrete walls may develop cracks over time. Small shrinkage cracks aren't a problem, but if the cracks grow large enough to insert a dime, the shell might be compromised.

What causes concrete pools to crack?

Small superficial cracks are called check cracks or crazing. This is normal due to the cement shrinking or flexing of the supporting structure, and should not be considered a deficiency. The most common cause for crazing is if the pool is finished on a hot, dry or windy day, or if it took too long to fill the pool.

What is the life expectancy of a concrete pool?

Pools with vinyl liners will last more than 20 years, as long as you replace your liner every 6-12 years. Concrete pools have exceptional longevity, but you need to resurface the concrete every 10 years or so. Fiberglass pools have the longest lifespans of any in-ground pool, often easily surpassing 30 years.

How likely is a pool to pop?

A concrete pool that “floats” – or pops out of the ground – is an extremely rare event. Most of them occur during major flooding events or hurricanes. 80% of the weight of a pool is water (8 lbs per gallon) and when full, an average inground pool can weigh 250,000 lbs!

What do you seal a concrete pool with?

Will a concrete pool crack without water?

Additionally, a lack of water means there's a lack of moisture on the pool walls. If left exposed to long periods under the hot sun, pool finishes will dry out, creating cracks and flaking.

Is it safe to empty a concrete pool?

Modern concrete pools can usually stand being drained for as long as needed, but there'll still be a risk of popping if the ground water level is high. Fibreglass pools are less resilient. The floor may come loose and float to the top when refilled, even after a short period.

What type of pool lasts the longest?

It generally takes between three and 12 weeks to install a concrete pool. That's longer than other types, but concrete is considered the strongest, most durable type of pool. And unlike other in-ground pools, existing concrete pools can be rebuilt, refinished, enlarged, or updated.

How do you resurface a concrete pool?

If you want to resurface a concrete pool, your most economical choice is plaster. Certain products, such as Sider-Proof, actually make resurfacing in plaster easy enough for a do-it-yourselfer to tackle. An experienced professional will either chip or sandblast the old plaster out, leaving the original concrete shell.

How long does a steel inground pool last?

My 30-year-old steel walls looked great when we replaced the liner a few years ago, and I saw no signs of deterioration, no dents, and no rust. The shell of a concrete pool can be expected to last 50 years in most cases.

How do I keep my concrete pool from cracking?

In addition, during hot weather, a gunite or shotcrete pool should be half filled with water, and make use of sprinklers, foggers, misters or a spray nozzle to keep surfaces wet. Burlap or plastic can also be used to keep the concrete shell from drying out too rapidly during curing.

Are cracks around pool normal?

Structural cracks v.

Not all pool cracks mean that the pool is leaking, i.e shrinkage cracks are normal; they are shallow and just part of the curing process that occurs when the pool is first shot with gunite or shotcrete.

How do I know if my pool crack is leaking?

Common Signs Of A Leaking Pool
  1. Water Level Changes. Dropping water level is the clearest sign a pool is leaking, but it's important to determine if the water loss is due to evaporation or a leak. ...
  2. Cracks or Falling Tile. ...
  3. Wet Spots in Yard. ...
  4. High Water Bills. ...
  5. Water Under Equipment. ...
  6. Air or Dirt Blown Into Pool. ...
  7. Algae Growth.

What are the problems with concrete pools?

Most common issues with concrete pools
  • Excessively rough surface.
  • Structural cracks.
  • Craze (surface) cracks.
  • Scaling.
  • Discoloration.
  • Spalling.
  • Popping up/floating.
  • Shifting concrete patio around pool.

Do concrete pools move?

Because everything moves with the changing of the seasons, it's important that the ground it's installed on has unified movement.

How often should a pool be resurfaced?

It varies depending on the type of pool, with plaster or cement pools needing to be resurfaced every 3-7 years while fiberglass pools can sometimes go as long as 15-30 years.

Can you gelcoat a concrete pool?

Once the fiberglass has been applied to the concrete pool, the next step is to add the surface layer. Typically, gelcoat (a colored resin) is mixed on site and rolled over the dry fiberglass layer using a roller. Alternatively, your contractor might use an epoxy pool paint or another type of swimming pool paint.

What is Diamond Brite?

Diamond Brite® finishes are blends of selected quartz aggregates and fortified white Portland cement ideal for new or re-finished swimming pools. Diamond Brite® finishes are factory blended to provide the pool owner with an extremely durable and attractive alternative to traditional pool coatings.

What kind of pool requires the least maintenance?

Fiberglass pools need the least maintenance, and they cost the least ($3,750 over 10 years).

What is the easiest type of pool to maintain?

A fiberglass pool is not prone to growing algae, which is one of the main reasons why this pool is easier to maintain. Anyone who is looking for a pool that doesn't require a lot of maintenance may want to consider going with a fiberglass pool.

Is it worth it to put in a pool?

A pool can increase not only your social worth but also the value of your home. However, the increase is probably not as much as you think. According to HouseLogic, there's no real guarantee that you'll make your money back. In fact, adding a swimming pool may only increase your home's value by 7%.

How long does a cement inground pool last?

How Long Will a Concrete Pool Last? A concrete pool should last decades (we're talking 50 years or more) if it is properly maintained. While the shell of the pool can become damaged if the building was not done correctly, a well-constructed concrete swimming pool should last a lifetime.

Can an inground pool collapse?

The weight of ice or snow are common culprits of pool collapse. Draining your pool too much. An older inground pool may not be able to withstand the weight of dirt against it once it is empty or if the water levels are too low. Groundwater can also push against the pool walls and cause it to collapse.

Will an inground pool collapse without water?

Most inground fiberglass and concrete pools are built structurally to withstand the weight of the dirt against them when drained. However, if the groundwater is high enough, it can push the entire pool out of the ground. The pool shell acts like a ship and floats up in the groundwater.

Does draining a pool damage it?

First, if the draining is done at the wrong time or under the wrong conditions, you can actually risk damaging your pool structure and liner. All the water from your pool needs to go somewhere when it's drained, and that usually means the ground.

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