Do Fibreglass Pools Crack?
There’s no two ways about it: a crack in your fibreglass pool (or the mere thought of it being a possibility for your future pool) can be a scary thought. But what exactly causes a fibreglass pool to crack in the first place, and how at risk is your pool? You’ve probably asked yourself these questions before; the good news is that with proper installation and maintenance, a fibreglass pool will last many, many years without major structural damage. Read on to learn more!
Will Your Fibreglass Pool Crack?
First, we’ll get to the major issue at hand: how at risk is your fibreglass pool of cracking?
The short answer: very little.
The long answer: as long as you use a reputable and qualified pool installer, as well as taking proper care of your pool over the years, still a very little risk at all of cracking!
Fibreglass pool cracks can sometimes come across as a little scary, and their appearance somewhat out of your control. But the truth is that cracks only happen because of very specific conditions. Ultimately, these conditions are improper instalments by an inexperienced pool installer, or by the pool owner not taking the proper steps to maintain and clean their pool.
The extra good news is that the durable and flexible nature of fibreglass makes it very difficult for any sort of crack to cause structural damage to a fibreglass pool. This is in stark contrast to concrete pools, where a single crack (even a small one) will be significantly harder – and more expensive – to repair. Cracks forming can be a very real structural issue for concrete pools, whose structures are not made to be adaptable. A fibreglass pool will be able to endure a crack much more easily, and be far cheaper to repair.
This is why it’s so important for those families looking to buy a pool to choose the right pool manufacturer and pool installer. The very first steps of your pool’s life (aka the installation process) will determine whether or not it is at risk of cracking in the future. It is critically important then that you choose a pool supplier who has extensive experience in installing pools correctly and carefully, as well as someone who is qualified to work with the necessary tools.
Additionally, the right pool installer will go to great lengths to inform and educate you on the proper cleaning and maintenance procedures to keep your pool healthy over the years. A qualified professional will also let you know how to specifically avoid cracks.
So, if you want to make sure your fibreglass pool doesn’t crack, choose a reputable and experienced pool supplier. On this note, Barrier Reef Pools has over 30 years of experience in installing fibreglass pools the right way, and that last for decades to come.
What Causes A Fibreglass Pool To Crack:
In this section of the article, we will elaborate a little further on the exact reasons for cracks forming in a fibreglass pool – make sure to take note so you can avoid them appearing in your own pool!
Improper Installation
The first and most common reason that a crack will appear in a fibreglass pool is (you guessed it!) improper installation. This is most commonly the result of a pool installer (or team) that can be inexperienced with installing a fibreglass pool, certain design, or working with a complex backyard, such as tough soil or sediment. Cracks can also form as a result of a fibreglass pool being installed on an uneven surface.
Unfortunately, this can also be the case of negligence on the installer’s part: rushing a job or simply forgetting any of the important steps in the installation process can cause cracks to appear further down the line. Cracks are also highly common in pools that were installed by the pool owner themselves. Always leave the installation process to a certified professional, like Barrier Reef Pools.
Unfortunately, the results of an improper installation can sometimes take years to show. During this time the installer could have moved on, leaving you high and dry (and your pool cracked!)
To avoid cracks in your pool because of improper installation, always check the testimonials and reviews of your chosen pool installer, given by previous customers to make sure they are qualified and have your best interests at heart.
Improper Maintenance And Care
A pool owner also has a responsibility to keeping their pool healthy over many years. This starts off with the pool installer informing you of how to properly care for your pool. This includes bracing your pool sufficiently before draining any of the water out of it. Additionally, using too much chlorine in your pool can create a chemical imbalance which can corrode the gel coating and resin that protects your pool from harmful UV rays – all of which will weaken the surface of your pool, which could result in cracking.
…Using too much chlorine in your pool can create an imbalance, corroding the gel coating and causing cracks due to the sun’s UV rays…
Spider Cracks And Osmosis
However, not every crack is a bad crack! Okay, so maybe all cracks look bad, but some of them are not necessarily damaging to the structure of your pool. Spider cracks come under this category: they are a small type of crack that runs primarily along the surface of your pool’s gel coating, rather than the actual surface of your pool, meaning that they are not at risk of damaging your pool’s structural support. Spider cracks form in your pool’s gel coating when a point of pressure exceeds the flexibility limit of your pool’s gel-coat. This most commonly occurs during transport of the fibreglass pool – just another reason to use a verified pool manufacturer.
Osmosis occurs when contaminated water seeps through the surface of your fibreglass pool to create dozens, even hundreds, of tiny air pockets in your pool’s surface. This typically happens as a result of the protective layering of your pool’s surface erodes due to chemical imbalance. So make sure you use the right amount of chlorine and chemicals as instructed by your installer!
Before You Go
As we’ve mentioned earlier in this article (okay, maybe every second paragraph!) the single most effective way you can prevent cracks forming in your fibreglass pool is to use a qualified and experienced pool installer. It’s because of this that we recommend you get in touch with Barrier Reef Pools today if you’re thinking of purchasing a fibreglass pool. Our expert team of professionals have over 30 years of experience in installing pools the right way, and plenty of happy, satisfied customers to back our title of Australia’s favourite fibreglass pools. Leave the worries of cracks behind; get in touch today for your dream fibreglass pool in a little as 7 days!
