Can a Fiberglass Pool Crack? 

Whether you own a fiberglass swimming pool or are in the market for one, you may have wondered if fiberglass pools can crack. The short answer is, yes, they can. However, there’s much more that can be said about this topic. Here are some factors to keep in mind, brought to you by the experts from San Diego Pools, one of Southern California’s most respected pool companies.

Durability of Fiberglass

First, fiberglass pools are reliable and durable. In other words, although they can crack, it’s not likely. They’ve been designed to be both sturdy and flexible. This strategic structure helps the pool guard against one of the major causes of cracks: the shifting of the earth’s surface. Fiberglass pools also tend to resist the damage caused by the rise and fall of temperatures—something that can leave other pools susceptible to cracks.

Cracks from Pressure

One of the main reasons a fiberglass pool will crack is because of the shifting soil underneath it. The surface underneath a pool isn’t solid. Therefore, when water soaks into the soil from an outside source, it causes pressure to push against the soil and the pool.

The combined weight of the pool and the water it contains pushes back against the water in the soil. In other words, the water inside the pool pushes against the shell of the pool so the water outside the pool doesn’t cause the pool to buckle or bulge inward. This is why it’s important to always leave water in your pool.

If you remove water from your pool, it can cause more pressure to mount against the pool shell. When there’s too much pressure mounting against your pool and not enough pressure to push back, the pool can crack.

Cracks from Improper Installation

It’s highly important to have seasoned professionals install your fiberglass swimming pool. Factors such as the soil’s density, types of ground surfaces, and the levelness of the ground’s surface can lead to cracks if the pool is improperly installed.

Cracks from Improper Care

It’s also important that you as a pool owner take care of your pool. To learn about the many ways to adequately care for your pool, you’ll want to consult your pool installer. Speaking to the installer about bracing your pool if there’s a need to drain it or the amount of chlorine to use is a good start.

How to Prevent Cracks

As previously stated, one of the major causes of fiberglass pools cracking is from inadequate water levels. Ensuring your pool is adequately filled at all times of the year when possible is an important preventative measure against cracks. You should also ensure you hire seasoned professionals with a good track record to install your fiberglass pool. 

When they’re looking for an exceptional contractor to perform their in-ground pool installation, San Diego homeowners can rely on the experienced professionals from San Diego Pools. As one of the premier pool builders in Southern California, we’ve been transforming customer dreams into reality with innovative design and custom construction for more than 40 years. Give us a call today to learn how we can build the pool of your dreams.