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How to renovate a cracked concrete swimming pool?

Avsvs
Community Newcomer

How to renovate a cracked concrete swimming pool?

Hi everyone,

I’m hoping to get some advice on the best way to fix my pool.

We moved into our home about 20 years ago, and I was told the pool is made of Besser blocks with concrete and some fiberglass patches, which were then painted over.

Unfortunately, it hasn’t been repainted in a long time, and when I recently drained it to prep for either - repainting, adding a vinyl liner, or tiling, I discovered a large crack at the bottom.

I plan to do a lot of the prep work myself—sandblasting the sides, grinding if needed, and making sure everything is smooth and ready.

As a single mum on a mortgage with a limited budget, I’d love to hear your recommendations on the best, most cost-effective way to repair the pool, 

so, it looks good and stays functional. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance! 

 

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EricL
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Re: Hi, i would love to have any and all advise on how to renovate my swimming pool

Hello @Avsvs 

 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your swimming pool.

 

It's good to hear that you are ready to tackle all the prep-work that's required to get your pool functional again. If there is one part where I suggest spending money on, it is on the repair of the crack in the pool. I recommend engaging the services of a professional pool restoration specialist, they should be able to determine if the foundation of the pool has been compromised or if the crack at the bottom can simply be sealed. Spending your budget on the best possible seal you can find means that you' won't have to worry about water draining out for years. 

 

I also recommend having the pool pump checked out while you are having your pool damage analysed. I suspect that a new pool filter will at least be in the list of things that need to be changed, and I just want you to be prepared for certain parts of the pump system to be replaced, especially if it has been left outside for quite a while.

 

Once the main issues have been addressed, the last thing you want to make sure is that your pool fence is complaint. Is the magnetic lock still working, is the height of the fence still passing regulation are any of the posts rusting and needing replacement? I also recommend checking the rules and regulations of your local council in regards to pool fencing and accessibility.

 

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

 

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

 

Eric

 

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Dave-1
Community Megastar

Re: Hi, i would love to have any and all advise on how to renovate my swimming pool

Good Evening @Avsvs 

Woooooo as I am reading your job list :smile: 

I would definently spend a chunk of money and get the crack and base structure checked by a pool professional (one with abn and has references you can look at) They will also be able to tell you the things that you can do and shouldnt do repair wise. I had a mate who had his fibreglass pool surface repaired and it was a headache. I have a fibreglass pool that is old and probarly needs resurfacing and has cracks on the coping but its still going ok. Its on my list of things to repair one day.

 

Your pool walls look in resonable condition tho the concrete fill on the steps will need to be sealed, I would talk to the person you get to investigate that crack for suggestions on handling that.

 

If you have a sand filter, they are resonably easy to replace the sand. I actually bought a new replacement and watch the pool guy install it (I removed all the old sand from the old filter before he arrived to make the job cheaper lol) I kicked myself I didnt have the confidence as it was almost a reversal of removing the sand. I could probarly kept on using the same sand filter but with fresh sand (The sand does degrade and should be replaced every 10 years ish)

 

Is the pool a salt water or chlorine based pool? 

 

I do think its a really nice project to follow through and also think that you could do a bunch of stuff yourself (or even just use you for labour) while the work is being done to fix that crack. Do you remember the pool loosing water before it was emptied? Looking forward to this project :smile:

 

Dave

Avsvs
Community Newcomer

Re: Hi, i would love to have any and all advise on how to renovate my swimming pool

Hi Dave

Thanks for your response.

No the pool never lost water and that crack was filled with silicon and then I think they put a thin layer of fibre glass over the top.

I have had a few pool guys come out and quoted all over the 40's which is well out of my budget.  I am fairly handy and will try and do prep etc myself. Spoke to one pool guy today and he suggested cleaning to smooth surface and tiling which I could probably do slowly over winter. Other option is to clean and prep all surfaces and then get a good thick vinyl inlay which seem to be quite popular. Have to do a bit more research. 

Yes have a sand filter and have changed sand previously so that's all good. Just don't know where to start. Was thinking blast it all first with water jet get as much paint and gunk off then grind and then sand blast. The crack at the bottom will be treated same way and then thinking to grind out and put that concrete stuff they use for concrete water tanks and then would have liner or tiles over . Also need to change direction of water outlet as not getting enough movement in pool. First had chlorine and then got a salt filter now just green swamp. Thanks for your response any other tips advise would be great as I am very new to all this. Other thing I was thinking doni just render over the whole lot. Would that work 🤔 

Cheers Andrea 

Dave-1
Community Megastar

Re: Hi, i would love to have any and all advise on how to renovate my swimming pool

Evening @Avsvs 

Excited that the pool dosnt leak! 

Like really, really maybe win the lotto time type deal.

Id be tempted to actually fill the pool by a third and mark the water level on the side as is (get rid of loose dirt ect first tho) Allow for evaporation or better yet test overnight and see if it drops. If it dosnt then no way would I be disturbing what has been used on thatcrack! :laugh:

I say a third to give a resonable weight to the water to push the limits of the sealed crack.

 

If it passes that test then it may be worthwhile looking into a pool paint sealer.  Depending on what your surface is like I would be cautios of a super powerful water jet. Ive never changed the water jet outlets tho need to. When I do I will be taking a photo of the jet nosel into a pool place and asking if they have the same and then kindly ask them how to remove them :smile: I am hoping that the jet is front facing so they can be popped/levered out and then a new one put in.

 

Dave

 

I did think of a liner and that is def in the ballpark if the pool is notleaking. It would bring it up very nicely.

 

Tiling would make the edge smooth yes but it dosnt waterproof. Plus I have had to clean a tiled pool top edge... Id rather the old firberglass pool I have :smile: 

 

Dave

 

 

Avsvs
Community Newcomer

Re: Hi, i would love to have any and all advise on how to renovate my swimming pool

Hi Eric

Thanks for your message.

Yes hoping to do alot of prep work myself. Yes I would like to get a pool restoration expert re the crack which has been there for a long time it is only more noticeable as I took off the fibreglass which was over the top. 

Yes have new pool fence to go around and also extend out to give more room around pool. I am excited 😊 to get this underway just not sure.where or how to start 😄 

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