Pools Category
Fiberglass swimming pools have gained popularity over the years not just because of their elegance but also because of their quality. Unlike other types of swimming pools, fiberglass pools tend to have longer lives. They are also easy to clean especially since it has a very smooth surface that makes hard for algae to cling to. However, they may still require more maintenance over time, and just like other types material, they can also be subject to wear and tear.
A fiberglass finish has a tendency to crack when there is a sudden change in temperature. When this happens, a resurfacing may be needed. It is imperative that you begin repair as soon as you notice a crack since water can seep in through the glass and produce even more damage. There are patch kits available online or on your local pool or home improvement store so make sure you get one that’s especially designed for fiberglass pools. Before attempting to make any repairs, remember that any damage beyond your ability to fix should be left to a professional. Otherwise, here are a few simple steps on how you can fix a minor problem with your fiberglass pool at home.
Step 1. Start by evaluating the kind of problem you’re dealing with. Normally, any damage in the cosmetics of the fiberglass could be fixed with no sweat. If the damage is superficial, repair can be done simply by painting the area to restore the color. However, do not expect that you can match the new color with the original one perfectly. On the other hand, if you’re dealing with a crack on the surface of the glass, it would take you more time and energy.
Step 2. Drain the pool just enough to expose the crack. If the crack appears at the bottom of the wall, you will have to drain the pool completely. Allow the damaged area to dry before sanding it. When you’r done sanding the area, get rid of loose debris and other small particles.
Step 3. Using a diamond cutting tool, cut out the portion with the crack on it and fill the hole with hydraulic cement. Apply the bond coat over the area and allow it to dry.
Step 4. When the bond coat has dried apply polyester putty on the area using a putty knife. Allow it to dry as well and sand it until it is smooth.
Step 5. Apply recommended gel coat using a paint roller. Make sure to seal the area properly and to get rid of any air bubble formation completely.
Step 6. Smoothen the fiberglass by sanding the area and eliminate any residue using a cloth.
Step 7. To finish, you might want to use spray paint as a final coating for the patch. Hold the can a good six to eight inches from the patch and spray in a sweeping motion, making sure the color matches well with the wall. Leave the patch overnight to dry completely. The patch should be completely dry after 24 hours, so you can fill the pool with water once again and enjoy a good swim.
The main purpose of a pool pump is to keep your pool water pristine at all times. Through aeration, the pool water is properly circulated, discouraging the growth of algae and bacteria. Fixing a pool pump may be a little bit tricky since the device is composed of several parts, so when it gets broken, you can’t just pinpoint the exact cause of the problem that easily especially if you don’t have any knowledge about how the thing works. Usually, repair of pool pumps should be done by a professional, but if you are familiar with pool pumps and how they function, you can definitely do the job on your own. Here is a step-by-step guide on how you can repair your pool pump at home in case it malfunctions:
Step 1. The first thing you need to check when repairing a pool pump is its power source. Check whether the switches and breakers are functioning properly or not. Check the wire network as well to see if there are any broken circuits.
Step 2. If the pump is able to start but stops after a brief moment, it may be that the impeller is clogged by dirt or debris. If this is the case, remove any blockage from the impeller and try starting the pump again. If you see that the impeller is free from dirt and is functioning properly, proceed to check the capacitor next. If the capacitor is broken and it is beyond your ability to repair, it should be replaced immediately.
Step 3. The next thing you need to check is the pump filter. A filter works by stopping impurities from getting into the pool water, and you will easily recognize if it’s broken when debris starts to build up in your pool. Inspect the filter hoses and make sure there are no leaks. If the hoses are perfectly fine, remove the filter and clean it thoroughly. Make sure you remove any junk that may be choking the filter and preventing it from functioning properly.
Step 4. If the pump is making too much noise, relatively to the usual, the problem could be with the pump motor. You can take the motor out to troubleshoot it separately. However, before you do that, you might want to check whether the noise is only produced by the pump vibrating against a concrete surface. If this is the case, then you should place a rubber mat underneath the pump to muffle the noise. Otherwise, replace the motor if it continues to make noise even when not attached to the pump.
Step 5. You might also want to ensure that the pump is installed correctly. If there’s a problem with the wiring or the voltage used for the pump, it would cause the pump to turn on and off by itself.
Troubleshooting a pool pump can be quite a daunting task for someone who’s not a professional, so it would help if you clean your pool regularly to lower the chances of your pool pump getting broken.
Overtime, your pool may develop some cracks and patches, especially if you’re living in a region where freezing and thawing cycles are frequent. Change in temperature can cause concrete to contract so that additional pressure is added to it. Aside from that, water from the pool itself can weather away surface, resulting to tiny cracks. For cracks that are more than 1/8 of an inch thick, you need to call in a professional to fix the problem. But if the crack is no larger than that, it’s very possible to fix the problem on your own. All you need are some equipment and a little masonry skill. Consider the job a DIY Pool Concrete project.
Step 1. Prepare the things you are going to need for the job. Basically, you are going to need an angle grinder, a grinder disc, a stainless steel trowel, a notched trowel, a pool plaster mix, an acrylic bonder, a chisel, a hammer, a pump sprayer, an acid wash with brush, soda ash, a big bucket, a hose, safety gloves and goggles, and a putty knife. You can buy the equipments individually, or you can simply buy a pool plaster/concrete repair kit to save you time.
Step 2. Drain the entire pool of water. Working on a pool filled with water can cause electrical hazards and can also make things a lot difficult for you. Empty the pool first before you start working. Make sure you’re wearing safety gloves and goggles to protect yourself from any injury.
Step 3. Clean the patch that needs repairing. Using a hammer and a chisel, remove any loose plaster debris from the inside of the plaster patch that has been damaged. If there are any parts that are difficult to remove, use the putty knife to get rid of them.
Step 4. Work in the area around the patch using the disc and angle grinder. Make a clearance of about ¼ inch deep. You can get the same result by simply using a hammer and a chisel but using an angle grinder is a lot safer and can produce faster and better results.
Step 5. Spray the entire repair patch with acid wash. Afterwards, clean the area using the acid brush. To neutralize the acid wash, spread some soda on the patch and wash it thoroughly with water.
Step 6. By this time, you should have been able to prepare the plaster mix you’re going to use to repair the damage area. If possible, add some color additives to match the color of the plaster mix with the color of your pool. When the plaster mix is ready, fill the patches entirely, spreading the mix using a notched trowel. Finish the patching using a steel trowel and leave it to dry.
Step 7. Using the angle grinder once again, polish the repair patch after it has dried.
Having your own backyard pool is definitely a good luxury, but when pools are not maintained properly, they begin to reek of ugliness, and some can even develop mold and algae. Instead of boasting of the quality of life of its owners, a pool that is left to its own devices speaks nothing but negligence. Cleaning the tiles in a pool may feel like a major task, but it is one that should not be neglected. You can actually make the task easier by maintaining it regularly.
Step 1. Be sure to check the chemical levels you use in your pool regularly. This is because the right balance of chlorine is crucial in keeping your pool well-maintained: too little of this chemical means mildew and algae can grow, while too much of it can result in your tiles getting bleached white. To prevent either of this from happening, keeping a good balance in your pool’s chlorine level is a good place to start. If you use hard water, it may also result in a build-up of calcium around the rim of your pool.
Step 2. Use a pool brush to clean the tiles in your pool at least once a week. For pools that do not have any buildup, the brush alone can do the trick. For buildup, you can buy a tile cleaning product from the local hardware store. A home remedy that is effective in cleaning pool tiles is a combination of baking soda and vinegar.
Step 3. If your pool shows calcium deposits, you will need to go a step further. In addition to performing the usual chemical balancing act, perform a water analysis to know the level of calcium in your pool. Too much calcium will likely result in the deposits, and making sure it is balanced will ensure future prevention.
Step 4. Get some strong muriatic (hydrochloric) acid solution, or acid wash, from a pool retailer.
Step 5. Wear rubber gloves, some eye protection, and old clothing to cover your body. Do this even before you open the muriatic acid solution, as contact with it can burn your skin. Also, be sure to confirm the right dosage on the label of the solution.
Step 6. Use a sponge to apply the acid wash to a small portion of the pool. This is to see how the solution affects the deposits in your pool, as well as your tiles.
Step 7. In addition to these, you would do well to have your pool cleaned with a tile cleaner at least once every season, whether done by yourself or by a professional. The best time to have this done is at the time when you first open your pool.
Pools are very expensive to maintain, and the expenses are compounded when you have a leak: after all, leaks result in much wasted water, and the longer you leave it there, the more money you spend in expanded utility bills. Of course, before you jump all over your pool trying to find a leak, there is a way to make sure you do have a leak, as lowering water levels may be quite normal as water evaporates.
Step 1. Confirm if you do have a leak by filling a bucket with water coming from your pool and putting it on the steps of the pool while keeping the top of your bucket above water level. This ensures that the water temperature in the pool and in your bucket is the same, so you can keep the factors constant. Leave the bucket there and check the water level after a few days, comparing it to the water loss in your pool.
Step 2. When you have noted a big difference between the bucket and the pool and confirmed you have a leak, it’s time to find the leak. Fill your pool up to its normal level, marking it with duct tape. Run your filter system for a half or one whole day, and check the water loss.
Step 3. Refill the pool again to its normal level and turn off the filter system. Check the water loss after the same time period.
Step 4. Analyze the results you get from Steps 2 and 3. If you lost more water while the filter system was turned on, it meant the leak is on your plumbing’s pressure side, past the pump impeller. If you lost more water with the filter turned off, then the leak is most likely on the plumbing’s vacuum side, before the pump impeller. If you noted the same level of water loss, the leak is in the pool itself and not in any part of the plumbing.
Step 5. If you find that the leak was in the plumbing, it would be best to call a local leak detection service, as these experts have instruments that minimize random digging.
Step 6. If the leak is in the pool structure, turn off the pump for at least one hour, get some food coloring, and be ready for a swim.
Step 7. Squeeze food coloring on areas where you suspect there is a crack, and if the leak is there, the crack will pull the color in. If you cannot find a visible crack, squeeze the food coloring on anything that pierces the pool structure, such as lights, returns, or the main drain.
Step 8. Once you’ve found the leak, use a patch material to cover up the crack. Find one that works underwater, and if you are applying it to an area near a fitting, keep the pump turned off as the patch cures, so it won’t be washed away by the water flow. Confirm that you have successfully plugged the leak by running the food coloring test again.
