Pool patch won't hold

[penquinizer]

I would do Torque Lock Staples.

Read...

Torque Lock Structural Staples - Misleading Information About Repairing Your Pool Crack

Are you tired of misleading information about repairing a pool crack? It's time to call and ask about Torque Lock Structural Staples.

torque-lock.com

Ah, this seems like I would need to reach out to some new companies to provide quotes. We've gotten 4 quotes in total and none have mentioned they use Torque Lock. Ill look on their websites for providers close by.

*Update* - Ill need to do some heavy digging as the handful of companies in my area listed on the Torque Lock website have absolutely horrid reviews.

 

[penquinizer]

This discussion has moved from "patching" a small section of plaster to fixing a crack in the gunite shell.

That is a whole different level of repair.



There are a bunch of Youtube videos showing concrete staples being used to repair gunite cracks.

If the staple repairs are done properly with quality materials and an experienced crew it should hold stronger then the surrounding gunite.

There are a few different crack repair techniques and concrete staples will be stronger then just an epoxy injection crack repair. You want to understand exactly what materials and techniques will be used to repair your crack.

My understanding is that 'concrete staples' are just rebar with some sort of hydraulic concrete, correct? vs Epoxy injection just being epoxy with out any form of staples (torque lock, carbon fiber, rebar, etc)

 

[ajw22]

My understanding is that 'concrete staples' are just rebar with some sort of hydraulic concrete, correct?

No, concrete staples are Torque Lock and other solid staple products.

That video above uses Torque Lock staples.

Rebar and concrete are not staples. They are just patches.

 

[penquinizer]

No, concrete staples are Torque Lock and other solid staple products.

That video above uses Torque Lock staples.

Rebar and concrete are not staples. They are just patches.

Okay. The official quote says 'carbon fiber staples' on one and 'reinforcement bar staple' on another. Im assuming these are both a form of staple and not just rebar?

 

[penquinizer]

Hi!

We've recently gotten several quotes from a few PBs to repair and replaster?/resurface the pool. (unsure of the difference in terminology between the two)

We noticed on one of the quotes, they quoted for removing the fiberglass from the pool and spa. Furthermore, they mentioned they weren't able to just repair the area because our pool is fiberglass and they would need to remove the fiberglass in order to repair it.

However, none of the companies seem to mention anything about fiberglass and have quoted "demo delaminating plaster" or "pool plaster prep"

Whats the best way to determine our pool type? This has gotten us a bit confused as we wouldn't feel the most comfortable going with a company that might have misidentified our pool as fiberglass.

 

[ajw22]

Okay. The official quote says 'carbon fiber staples' on one and 'reinforcement bar staple' on another. Im assuming these are both a form of staple and not just rebar?

They are happy for you to assume things because they put words in a quote.

Have them show exactly what their construction method is, like shown in the video above, and we will evaluate what they are really doing.

 

[ajw22]

Best way is to ask the company who says there is fiberglass to show you where it is and what makes them believe it is fiberglass.

Show us pics of your pool.

 

[Bperry]

Thanks for the article! It seems to read as if all options have issues and one should optimally look for someone that uses Torque-Lock staples?

Note the article is created by the makers of torque lock staples. It’s not a surprise they would think their product is best but it gives you info to compare.

I don’t believe carbon fiber ties epoxied over a crack in cement will stop a structural crack from re-cracking and so I wouldn’t pay extra for those over actual staples. I don’t have experience in carbon fiber repair for pools, but I have installed torque lock staples and they have held for a couple months now. I can tell you carbon fiber staples would be waaaayy easier to install by a long shot.

 

[penquinizer]

Pics of the pool!

 

[ajw22]

That does not look like a fiberglass pool.

What does the surface feel like?

Why do you think it needs to be replastered?

 

[penquinizer]

That does not look like a fiberglass pool.

What does the surface feel like?

Why do you think it needs to be replastered?

Right, that's why we found it strange they quoted as fiberglass. Maybe it's Fiber Tech of sorts?

For the feeling, it's a smooth but not glossy feel. There are a couple of chips throughout the surface though.

We're replastering due to the crack/leak per the other thread.

 

[JamesW]

Some concrete pools are resurfaced with fiberglass.

 

[JamesW]

This looks like fiberglass, but it is hard to tell for sure.

Most likely they need to remove everything down to gunite and resurface.

You really need someone onsite to tell you for sure what you have.

Ask the people to explain exactly what you have and what they need to do.

You might have fiberglass over gunite or over plaster.

 

[JamesW]

Waterblasting swimming pool

 

[penquinizer]

Gotcha! Thanks for the links to the videos. It seems like a loss of trust in the contractor if it actually is some sort of fiberglass but they failed to notice and only quote for plaster. Then again, it seems it may not matter if they are blasting to remove everything anyways.

 

[penquinizer]

They are happy for you to assume things because they put words in a quote.

Have them show exactly what their construction method is, like shown in the video above, and we will evaluate what they are really doing.

Waiting to hear back on what is actually being used. As to get a better understanding, the 'staples' in this video would be considered rebar and not an actual staple product correct?

 

[ajw22]

Waiting to hear back on what is actually being used. As to get a better understanding, the 'staples' in this video would be considered rebar and not an actual staple product correct?

It is not an engineered staple product. It is a DIY fix with rebar that depends on the experience of the installer. It may be appropriate for some pool cracks and not others.

Determining the correct fix begins with an engineer determining why the pool cracked and what is needed to stabilize it.

 

[ajw22]

Right, that's why we found it strange they quoted as fiberglass. Maybe it's Fiber Tech of sorts?

For the feeling, it's a smooth but not glossy feel. There are a couple of chips throughout the surface though.

We're replastering due to the crack/leak per the other thread.

This puts a new dimension on your crack repair discussion.

If your pool was surfaced with fiberglass you really have to strip the pool down to the gunite to assess the shell and what type of cracks you have.

The fiberglassing could have been a coverup for extensive pool shell problems.

 

[JamesW]

have quoted "demo delaminating plaster" or "pool plaster prep"

It is important that you not accept any vague quotes.

You need to have a good explanation of exactly what a company plans to do, what is included, what is not included, what is extra, what is optional, what the risks are etc.

They should tell you exactly what "Prep" means or "Demo" etc.

Does it mean a quick chip of any obvious loose spots or is it a thorough removal of all plaster or fiberglass that is on the pool down to gunite?

In the absence of details, everyone has to make assumptions and your assumptions will never fully match the assumptions of the contractor, which leads to conflict, anger, frustration, animosity and other such bad will.

 

[Bperry]

Waiting to hear back on what is actually being used. As to get a better understanding, the 'staples' in this video would be considered rebar and not an actual staple product correct?

Like said above, pool contractors aren’t using dictionaries when writing estimates. They can call anything they want a staple. Generally a staple is a bent piece of metal so it could mean lots of things or something else. Find out exactly what they are proposing.

My quote to resurface my pool deck as listed as cool deck. I assumed he meant Mortex “Kool deck” but in reality I think it just meant my deck would look cool when it was done. (And it does).