What to Do When Your Pool Steps Crack
What to Do When Your Pool Steps Crack
Your swimming pool steps are an important part of your pool. They can provide a comfortable lounging area. Plus, they allow you to get into and out of your pool safely. However, if you’re like most people, you don’t give them much thought until something goes wrong. And, more often than not, that “something” is a crack in your pool steps. Cracks are, unfortunately, very common, but the good news is that, in most cases, they can be fixed easily.
Determine the Cause
First things first, before you worry about fixing your cracked steps, try and determine what caused the damage. Unless some random accident, like fallen tree limbs or a dropped object, is to blame, you’ll need to address the underlying issue. Otherwise, the problem is likely to come back, and it may even come back worse.
Common causes of cracked steps include poor quality steps, age, excessive chlorine use, using the wrong chemicals in the pool, or extreme use. If the cause is something like bad quality or age, you may want to consider replacing your steps instead of repairing them. But, if you’re doing something to cause the damage, you’ll want to correct it to avoid future issues.
Call on Professionals
If you decide to repair your steps, rather than replace them, your first and best option is to call on a professional. The company that sold you your pool may offer repairs, especially if your pool steps are still under warranty. Alternatively, they may be able to recommend a good repair person, or you can find one yourself by searching online.
Professional step repairs do tend to be more costly. However, they are often longer-lasting than do-it-yourself approaches. They may also be a better choice when the damage is severe or when your steps still have a lot of life left in them. With that in mind, you should always consider the cost to professionally repair your steps versus the cost to replace them. If you find that a replacement is cheaper, then you’ll probably want to go that route since it makes more sense in the long run.
Try a DIY Fix
Sometimes, professional fixes may be out of your financial reach. Or, you may just need a quick, temporary fix that can hold you over until you can replace your steps. Whatever the case may be, DIY fixes can sometimes come in handy. In fact, there are fiberglass repair kits made specifically for this purpose, and they’re generally fairly easy to use. You could also purchase a foam crack injection kit or use an acrylic adhesive. For best results, research different options to determine which one would work best for your needs.
Dealing with cracks and damage is definitely one of the least fun parts of pool ownership. But, as your pool and its parts age, it’s often unavoidable. The key is simply to take care of problems as quickly as possible to avoid further damage. Whether that means calling on pros or fixing issues yourself, it’s your job to be a responsible pool owner. Ultimately, this will help your pool and all its components last longer and perform better.