🛠️ Who Can Fix My Cracked Pool? The Guide to Concrete Pool Repair
Have you noticed a frustrating crack running across the bottom or side of your beloved concrete pool? If your first thought is, “Who can fix my cracked pool?” you’ve come to the right place. Accro GC specializes in structural pool repair, and understanding why these cracks appear is the first step toward a permanent solution.
Why Do Concrete Pools Crack?
Concrete (gunite or shotcrete) pools are incredibly durable, but they are not immune to cracking. The structure of your pool shell is constantly interacting with the ground and the water pressure it holds. Cracks typically fall into two categories: Shrinkage Cracks (mostly cosmetic) and Structural Cracks (serious and require professional intervention).
Here are the main reasons concrete pool shells develop cracks:
1. Ground Movement and Settlement
This is the most common cause of significant, structural cracks.
Expansive Soils: In areas with clay-rich soils (like many regions in the US and Canada), the ground can swell significantly when wet and shrink when dry. This constant expansion and contraction puts immense stress on the rigid concrete shell, often leading to deep cracks.
Poor Compaction: If the soil beneath and around the pool wasn’t properly compacted during construction, it can settle unevenly over time, leaving areas of the pool unsupported.
Water Table Changes: Fluctuations in the underground water table can destabilize the surrounding soil, especially if the pool is not equipped with a hydrostatic relief valve.
2. Structural Deficiencies
Sometimes, the issue originates with the pool’s construction itself.
Insufficient Steel Rebar: The internal steel reinforcement (rebar) gives the concrete its tensile strength. If the rebar grid is spaced too far apart or improperly tied, the concrete is weak and prone to snapping under stress.
Improper Mix or Curing: If the concrete mix used was too watery, or if the shell cured too quickly, it can reduce the overall strength and make it brittle.
3. Freeze-Thaw Cycles (Frost Damage)
In colder climates, water infiltrating a small surface crack can freeze. As water turns to ice, it expands by about 9%, which exerts massive pressure on the surrounding concrete, forcing the crack to widen. This process repeats with every cycle, turning a minor issue into a major structural flaw.
🔎 The Accro GC Solution: Identifying and Fixing Structural Cracks
When you see a crack, especially one that runs vertically or diagonally and seems to be growing, it’s crucial to call a specialist immediately. Ignoring it leads to water loss, chemical imbalances, and further deterioration.
At Accro GC, we don’t just patch the crack; we restore the structural integrity of your pool using proven methods.
Don’t let a cracked pool ruin your swimming season.
Contact Accro GC today for a professional assessment and a lasting repair solution!