Portland Pool Repair: The Common Issues

Everyone in Oregon knows that when you have a pool, it will be the source of hours upon hours of fun memories! Who would not want to hold a barbecue with some good pals or the closest of family members living in Portland? Having a pool party is – and will always be – a big hit with children! When something like a pool is constantly used, it is understandable then, that with time, it will start showing it’s age. Eventually small or large issues will start to crop up and your precious pool will need some attention.  When it’s time for a Portland pool repair, give us a call and we’ll take care of it.

Let us discuss the most common issues that crop up in pools. The information listed below will help you determine what to look out for, why they may occur, and what would be a solid go signal to have your pool repaired.

Hairline Cracks: These are the rather thin but usually deep cracks. These cracks are either set after the concrete has settled or the start of longer and ‘active’ damage. Surprisingly, hairline cracks are often the subject of quick do-it-yourself type fixes. Most owners make use of a basic cement mix then pour the mixture into the crack. When the mixture has been poured, a trowel is used to scrape and smooth the affected area. It takes roughly five days for the patch to finish curing. When that is done, the area is checked to see if the curing has settled well and that no water will get in.

Offset Cracks: These cracks are the more visible and often larger form of disrepair on concrete pool foundations. This is the type of crack where one side is lower than the other. Uneven surfaces beneath the concrete like a tree root or if the soil has expanded or receded can be the cause of such a crack. This sort of crack may also be due to shrinkage in the slab base. In any case, these types of cracks need to be repaired immediately as they are a safety hazard that can cause tripping. Larger cracks may need professional intervention as incorrect fixes can be the cause of further damage to your pool area.

Faulty Drain: A pool drain is an important piece in maintaining the integrity and longevity of your pool. It also helps keep your friends and family safe from any stagnant water that can be a breeding surface for mosquitoes or a haven for mildew. When you spot standing water around your pool deck, it is a fairly certain sign that there isn’t a working drain in place. Or perhaps your existing drain is clogged and is in need of some TLC.  Our pool repair is comprehensive, so fixing the drain is part of it.

Discoloration: When the concrete around your pool has started to show a faded or even grimy looking color, it can look older than it actually is. A good way to disguise the minor flaws like discoloration is through carving in or cutting a pattern or design upon the surface. This is called Concrete Engraving. The process starts with a staining and through the use of a special routing machine, a specific pattern or design is placed into the surface, creating faux grout etches.

Flaking Surfaces: When previous treatment has been done, it is important to remember that they do not last forever. Despite being a surface and aesthetic issue, it can be quite the eyesore. Good thing, then, that the way to fix this is relatively easy. Removing the flaked surface can be achieved through a scraper or through a high pressure washer. After cleaning the area thoroughly, apply a new treatment.

Shrinkage Cracks: This type of crack normally happens when the concrete slab dries. This sort of crack occurs around the control joins. Control joins are placed in an attempt to identify the areas wherein cracks may happen.

When the concrete is mixed, it is important that there is sufficient water required for hydration when mixing the dry components (sand, aggregate, and cement). It is normal for the water to evaporate and be another reason for shrinkage cracks across the surface of your concrete slab.

Thermal Cracking: When the temperature varies in great degrees, cracks tend to develop. The chemical hydration method wherein concrete hardens makes heat and causes the concrete to expand. Invariably around the same point, the concrete at the surface of the slab is continuously exposed to air and water loss happens because of evaporation. These two conditions make the perfect combination of cooling and shrinkage of the concrete near the surface.

Plastic Cracking: When the water evaporates from the surface of the slab faster than the moisture can migrate from the underlying concrete, surface concrete will dry faster—this leads to a difference in the moisture levels of the surface area and the underlying slab. This leads to tensile stresses that are relieved only by cracking of concrete near the surface.  In this case, pool repair is needed immediately to avoid further damage.  

Now that several errors have been listed above, what can you, as a Portland pool owner, do about it? There are several options that you can choose. First of all, you can always choose not to do anything. Just avoid being surprised one day when your investment dies on you. Of course, no one wants that to happen, right? So what you can choose to do instead is to have it repaired. You can either repair it by yourself for the minor stuff like discoloration. However, don’t be stubborn and still choose to DIY something major like offset cracks. Those can be dangerous and if done incorrectly, will pose as an even greater hazard for yourself and your loved ones. There are always a plethora of pool companies in your local area. Do your research and select which company works for you and your pool.

That way, you’ll be doing yourself a major favor and even your pool will thank you.