Have you ever owned a fiberglass inground pool for a long time and then noticed fractures in the steps? Many people choose fiberglass inground swimming pools because they are easier to maintain and appear cleaner than plaster pools. The difficulty is that inground fiberglass pools are prone to cracking over time. One of the spots where fractures are visible is on the steps.
Assume the crack is large or the fiberglass along the crack appears to be flexible. In that circumstance, expert assistance with inground pool step repair is required. On the other hand, Smaller cracks may be repaired using a fiberglass repair kit that almost any DIYer can use. In addition, many maritime supply stores and swimming pool businesses sell fiberglass repair kits.
If you’ve decided to attempt to repair your damaged steps yourself, you’ll need to make the necessary preparations. You’ll want your efforts to pay off in the form of a long-lasting repair.
Remove Any Excess Water.
The first step is to empty the water of the pool. The pool stairs should be clean and dry. You don’t have to empty the pool completely, but it should be drained to a level below the fiberglass fracture. When repairing the inground fiberglass pool’s liner, you should also consider doing the step repairs. The end outcome will be superior.
Sand The Fractured Section
After double-checking that everything is dry, use an electric sander to remove any flaking paint or loose debris. Please do not attempt to sand it down by hand. An electric sander will produce a smoother finish. After you’ve finished sanding, wipe away any remaining dust with acetone. After that, you’ll want to measure and mark off a two-inch radius around the crack.
To cut off the designated area, you can use a handsaw or a diamond-edged cutting wheel. The depth of the incision should be equal to the crack’s depth.
Fill The Cut-Out Section With Whatever You Choose.
After that, you’ll need to fill in the cut-out region with a bond coat from the fiberglass repair kit. First, fill in the cut-out space with the bond coating once it has been mixed. Then, smoothen it with a putty knife until it’s level with the pool’s surface. (The bond coat’s consistency should also be sticky to the touch.)
Use Putty
After the bond coat has dried, you may apply the polyester putty. This should also be included in the repair kit. However, the putty must first be catalyzed before usage. You’ll need to coat it with a catalyst, such as epoxy. The more catalyst you use, the faster the putty will dry. Make sure the putty application is smooth by leveling it with a scraper or a putty knife.
After everything has dried, you’ll need to sand it down again. The region will be smoothed out as a result of this. Finally, wipe off the surface with acetone to eliminate any remaining dust.
Apply A Gel Coat And A Fiberglass Cloth To The Surface.
The following are the final steps you’ll take:
- Apply a couple of inches of masking tape around the repair area.
- Apply a coating of gel with a paint roller.
- While the gelcoat is still wet, apply the fiberglass cloth.
- Remove any folds or bubbles using a ribbed roller.
- Allow for the last coat of gel to dry.
- Everything should be sanded until it’s completely smooth.
- Wipe it down with acetone once more.
- Apply a coat of sealer to the surface.
Now you must wait for everything to dry and solidify thoroughly. Depending on the weather, this will take a few days. You should wait three days before refilling your pool to be on the safe side.
