Many people are faced with the problem of a leak in their pool. And it is not surprising, because recently small artificial reservoirs have become very popular and have appeared in almost every family. Therefore, we will help you figure out how to seal the pool, what materials and compositions are suitable in what cases and how to use them. Read to the end and you will learn about the technology for repairing a swimming pool with water and find tips on how to prevent the bowl from puncturing.
A swimming pool in the yard is a great attraction for the whole family Source yandex.net
Why does water decrease in frame pools?
The frame is a structure that ensures the stability and preservation of the shape of the pool. Unlike inflatable tanks, frame tanks are larger in size and more durable. The bowl can be made of high-density polyvinyl chloride film or multilayer vinyl in combination with polymers. And often this fabric is torn or cut through.
Note! During the hot season, water begins to evaporate too rapidly and many people think that it flows away through damage to the bowl, which in fact is not there. Therefore, before sealing a frame pool, you need to determine the exact location of the leak.
To find out if there is damage, take a large bowl and fill it with water, marking the level with a mark. A level mark is also placed on the wall of the pool. If the liquid evaporates almost evenly during the day in both containers, then there is no leakage.
Using such a bucket you can check the integrity of the pool bowl Source yandex.net
The main reasons for the decrease in water in frame pools include:
- Leaking gasket in the filter
- Drain valve failure
- Damage to the suction pipe
To find a leak in a tank, a visual inspection alone is often not enough. This is where special dyes come to the rescue. They are a colored powder that needs to be sprayed into water near the suspected defect. If there is a gap, the paint will immediately be sucked in.
To diagnose leaks in the filter and pump system, the entire system is briefly turned off. And if the water level stops dropping sharply, then the problem is in the equipment.
But most of all we are interested in such a problem as a puncture of the bowl. In this case, the pool will have to be sealed.
Causes of damage to inflatable structures and methods for detecting defects
An inflatable pool is inexpensive and affordable for many. There is nothing difficult about inflating it and installing it in a suitable place on the site, and, if necessary, moving it somewhere else. The water in such a pool can also be easily replaced, and with the arrival of cold weather, the structure is drained, blown away and hidden until next summer. All these are undeniable advantages of such products, but their most significant disadvantages include fragility. Thin rubber is very easy to damage with a sharp object, for example, by placing it on a sharp stone, twig or thorn. Pets or small children can tear the pool shell.
The reasons for damage may vary, but this does not mean that the product will have to be thrown away immediately. If you find a hole in the inflatable pool, you can seal it and use the reservoir as usual. There are several ways to determine the puncture site:
- The part of the pool that quickly drains air needs to be well inflated. Then, slightly pressing the rubber, you should walk around the entire perimeter of the pool and listen to where the air comes out. In the damaged area, you will hear a characteristic sound and can even feel the breeze blowing across your skin.
- If the sound is not heard, wet your palm and check the entire perimeter of the pool in the same way. With wet skin, the wind blowing from the hole will be felt more strongly.
- If the product is small and there is a large tank of water nearby, inflate the pool and immerse it in the liquid. Air bubbles will come out from the place where the puncture is.
- A large pool can be checked for defects using a soap solution, for the preparation of which any detergent such as shampoo, gel, liquid soap, etc. is suitable. First, make such a solution, and then apply it with a sponge to the entire surface of the product. Soap bubbles will begin to appear in the place where there is a puncture. Once you find the damaged area, wipe it dry and outline it with a marker.
What are pools sealed with?
It is immediately necessary to make a reservation that pools are sealed only with waterproof compounds and tapes. In general, inflatable and frame bowls are made of polyvinyl chloride or polymer fabrics, so any adhesives adhere well to them.
Tape or Band-Aid
If you have a question about how to seal a frame pool, you can remember adhesive tape. This is material for quickly troubleshooting problems.
Adhesive tape for swimming pools Source yandex.net
Here is what the sequence of actions looks like when working on sealing the bowl with adhesive tapes:
- The puncture site is marked with a pencil or marker
- The surface in this place is cleaned of dust and dirt, and then degreased with an alcohol solution.
- Tape or adhesive tape is applied to the damaged area.
Using such materials, only urgent repairs can be made. The result will not be durable and soon you will have to use more reliable means.
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in complex installation of internal engineering systems
Repair kit for swimming pools
You can buy a repair kit in the same place as the pool. Although it is not cheap, it is still the best option for eliminating leaks. The kit usually includes glue and several vinyl patches.
Repair kit for sealing pool leaks Source yandex.net
Working with the repair kit is easy. First, a small one is cut out of a large patch, sufficient to cover the specific damage. Then apply glue to both contacting surfaces, apply and press the patch. It is best to put this place under a press.
Be sure to check it after any patch has dried. Pour some water into this place and try to squeeze it out. If no bubbles or streams come to the surface, then the pool is sealed well.
Waterproof glue
Another good option than sealing an inflatable pool. You can buy it at almost any construction or hardware store. However, only compounds that can glue polyvinyl chloride are suitable.
The result of such repairs will be durable and of high quality. Vinyl adhesive is resistant to moisture and, after drying, is not subject to mechanical stress such as compression and tension. Therefore, it is well suited for inflatable pools.
The pool can be sealed with regular PVC glue Source yandex.net
You can also use two-component adhesives. Their peculiarity is that before use you need to mix the components, which are stored separately.
Methods for masking a taped area
If the bottom of the pool is punctured or the patch is matched, the repair area is not decorated. In other cases, various methods are used:
- painting with waterproof paint;
- drawing with an alcohol marker - choose any design, for example, a “sun” with a center of a patch with drawn rays;
- gluing patches in the shape of different figures - animals, objects, etc.;
- case.
A durable cover on the sides and the font will hide numerous patches and protect the structure from damage. A cover is sewn from tarpaulin, the pattern is made in the shape of a bowl. To secure it, an elastic band or drawstring is inserted along the edge of the fabric product. Convenient and practical. Multiple patches at the bottom are covered with a dense piece of foam rubber or other lightweight material. Cut the stand exactly to the shape and size, immerse it in the bottom, and you’re done.
Elimination of leaks in Intex inflatable pools
There are several options for sealing an Intex frame pool. All the methods described above are more or less suitable in this case, but the problem is that often the bowls of this manufacturer are severely torn when damaged. Therefore, the best way is cold vulcanization in a car service center. The process technology is as follows:
- The surface to be treated is degreased and cleaned
- A patch is glued to the bowl material
- The joint is clamped for some time with a vice
The result of such a repair will be the most durable and reliable of all options. Moreover, for a relatively low price, they will do all the work for you.
Intex pools are best sealed by vulcanization Source yandex.net
Sealing a swimming pool underwater
Let us immediately draw your attention to the fact that the effectiveness of such work is very low. It is better to drain the water, dry the pool, and then carry out repairs. But if you need to urgently and briefly patch up your “pond,” then this can be done without draining the liquid. Therefore, we will tell you how to seal a pool of water.
The pool must always be sealed Source yandex.net
For these purposes, only waterproof glue from repair kits is suitable. The fact is that other compounds can spread throughout the bowl, which is undesirable if people are bathing in it. They usually take two large patches to cover the damaged area as much as possible, and apply them on both sides.
Another important point: when gluing under water, you definitely need a long and powerful force, otherwise the glue simply won’t stick.
What you need for work
To easily cope with the repair, you will need:
- patch material,
- a small amount of alcohol or cologne,
- scissors,
- glue for rubber.
It is advisable to use the same material from which the pool is made as a patch. It can be PVC, rubber and others. Surely the specialized store where you bought the pool has the appropriate repair kits. If you can’t go there, then you should look into a car store - they probably sell regular repair kits for sealing punctured tires.
How to prevent pool leaks
The best thing to do is not to repair a faulty pool, but to prevent a puncture. And there are a few simple rules for preventing leaks:
- There is no need to use sharp objects during installation and maintenance of the pool.
- Inflatable pools cannot be left in the sun for a long time, because the pressure in the air chambers increases sharply, causing the material to deteriorate and tear
- The pool must be installed at a distance from trees and bushes and on a flat surface
In addition, to prevent leaks, a plastic film is placed under the pool and access to it is limited for pets.
It is better not to let pets swim in frame and inflatable pools Source yandex.net
Puncture prevention
Knowing preventative measures, you can avoid damage to products. These include:
- Constant inspection of the product.
- Avoid the presence or use of sharp objects near the product, especially during installation.
- Cover with a cover every time after bathing.
- Try to install under canopies or in the shade, as direct ultraviolet radiation creates an increase in pressure in the air chambers. This may cause the base to break.
- Avoid installation near bushes, as this will puncture the base.
- The installation surface is cleaned, excess debris and stones are removed. Ideally, it will be a concrete floor or a tiled area with an installed underlay.
- Do not allow pets to bathe in the container, otherwise the base will be bitten or punctured.
