How to quickly find and seal a hole in the pool

It is impossible to imagine summer without a pool, but not everyone can afford a built-in concrete one. A great alternative is an inflatable or frame pool. The affordable price has influenced the surge in the popularity of such devices not only for children, but also for an adult audience. The assortment is very diverse, various shapes, sizes, designs, depths. You can choose the design in accordance with any request.

inflatable pool
Swimming in the pool is a favorite pastime for adults and children in hot summer.

But all the joy is lost when the realization comes that the pool is torn. The hole spoils the whole mood, and gives rise to sad thoughts that the deflated structure will have to be thrown away.

inflatable pool burst
Structures that are installed independently on the site have a drawback: they are easily punctured, damaged.

In this article we will tell you how to glue a pool, how to glue an inflatable pool, how to glue an Intex frame pool and how long it will take to repair at home.

how to seal an inflatable pool
To seal the pool yourself, you need to know certain methods and techniques.

How to find a hole in the pool

When starting a repair, the first step is to determine the location of the defect. You need to understand that there are two types of pools: frame and inflatable. In each of them, a hole is found in different ways. Let's consider the process in detail.

how to find a hole in the pool
Inflatable pools are easy to use, made of durable polymer, but prone to punctures: stones, spikes, a cat or dog jumped, etc.

Frame construction

If you suspect damage, make sure there is no water leakage due to natural evaporation.

  • Mark the water level on the side of the pool;
  • Collect water in a small basin, and also make a mark;
  • Compare the water level a day later. If it has dropped by the same distance both in the pool and in the basin, then natural evaporation is the reason for the decrease in water.
frame pool
You need to know what to use in such a situation in order to avoid deflation of the structure and water leakage.

If the water level in the pool has dropped more significantly than in the basin, then you need to start looking for a leak.

Perhaps the water leaks not due to the presence of a hole, but there may be a problem with the valve aimed at blocking the exit of water from the structure. If the gasket in the drain hole is not tight, water will naturally seep out.

pool tape
Sticking is acceptable at home if the location of the water leak is identified and it is slightly damaged.

To find a hole in the bottom, pay attention to whether particles of debris, possibly earth, have gathered somewhere in one place. If there is a leak, then particles will collect in this place that cannot pass through the hole, but were brought to this place by the current.

frame pool photo
First you need to find the puncture site, this can be done with a stream of water directed to the surface or washed with soapy foam.

To make it easier to find the hole, start pouring out the water and add dye to it. For example, special dyes are often used for temporary staining in fountains, spas and pools). This will make it easier to find leaks.

how to find a leak in a pool
If, when damage is found, there is nothing for repair, then you can temporarily seal the inflatable pool with an improvised material: a plaster, tape.

Don't be afraid to drain the water. When you find a problem area to glue it, you need the material to be dry and fat-free.

Inflatable structure

In inflatable structures, leaks are easier to find. It is impossible not to notice a large hole, but small ones are more difficult to detect.

pool hole
Before you glue the frame pool at home, you need to identify the location of the defect.

Option 1. Inflate the pool and press lightly on it while moving around the perimeter. The torn area will emit a kind of whistle, as air under pressure will come out of it.

Option 2. Also inflate the pool and press on it with a wet hand. With a damp hand, you will immediately feel the flow of air.

Option 3. The easiest. Inflate the pool and arm yourself with soapy water and a sponge (you can wash dishes) or a spray bottle. Apply a soapy solution with a large amount of foam to the surface. Where the big bubbles start to inflate is what we are looking for.

how to find a leak in the pool photo
Bubbles will appear at the puncture site. Wipe and mark this place. After that, immediately proceed to gluing.

If you find a hole, mark it with a felt-tip pen, marker or glue something next to it so as not to lose it again.

Pool gluing products

Modern pools are made of PVC material (polyvinyl chloride). The material is very durable and holds its shape perfectly. It is unlikely that the pool can burst suddenly, but it will not be difficult to pierce the material with a sharp object.

how to seal the pool
It is imperative to buy waterproof glue, since the patch will constantly come into contact with water.

Swimming pools can be glued in different ways, mainly different types of waterproof glue are used. But other ways also exist:

  1. Plaster or tape. The measure is temporary and fragile. But before serious repairs it can last for several hours, maximum one day.
  2. Special repair kit. A very useful thing. The kit includes: glue and a patch, sometimes the kit has additional tools.
  3. Waterproof glue. Ideal for gluing PVC materials. Resistant to water.
  4. There is a convenient solution called "slurry patch". It is a liquid PVC that dries in 10 minutes.
liquid patch
At home, pools are glued using special waterproof glue.

You can always contact a car service or other service centers where the defect can be vulcanized.

How to seal the pool at home

There are several methods that are suitable for repairing a defect in both framed and inflatable tanks. Let's consider them first.

pool gluing
When choosing an adhesive mixture, the packaging must indicate the ability to use with the polymer.

Using a special repair kit, you can glue the hole as follows.

  • Two parts must be cut from the patch. One small, evenly covering the edges of the hole, and the second will be needed for the second layer, and its size should exceed the smaller patch by a few millimeters.
  • Apply a very thin layer of glue, first to the area around the hole and then to the smaller patch. It remains to glue the patch and the damaged area.
  • Glue the patch carefully, smooth all the edges. Place under the press for a few minutes.
pool patch
Before use, read the instructions, since each type has its own characteristics in use.

Note! Repair kits are attached to Intex products upon purchase. Therefore, the owners of goods of this brand will not have to select a repair method for themselves. The most convenient repair option will already be in his hands.

If you decide to repair the pool yourself using water-repellent glue, then use the following method.

seal the pool
When using such glue, the surface remains in working order for a long time.It can be folded and re-inflated.

When buying glue, make sure that the glue contains polyvinyl chloride, thanks to which the glue becomes moisture resistant.

  • After finding a hole, rub the area around the hole with sandpaper. The goal is to make the surface a little more uneven and rough, so that the bookmark and the damaged area are better glued.
  • Degrease the surface area you need.
  • Apply a thin layer of glue to the patch and to the pool surface. Do this very carefully so that the glue does not go outside the patch. Otherwise, any other parts may stick to the pool, later peeling them off, you can damage the rubberized surface again.
  • The press may not be needed. The glue dries up in a few minutes.
seal the hole in the pool
Many adhesives are flammable, so do not use with an open fire.

"Liquid patch" is applied as follows:

  1. Degrease the area around the damage.
  2. Pour in the liquid patch gently.
  3. Leave to dry for 10 minutes.
  4. Apply a second coat. Let it dry.

The color of the liquid patch can be matched to the color of the product.

pool patch
Small cracks can be sealed with a special sealant used specifically to restore the functionality of the pool.

After completing the repair, you need to check if everything went well. To do this, a soapy foamy solution is applied to the repaired surface and the pool is pressed. If bubbles begin to appear, it means that it was not possible to properly seal the defect for some reason. Repeat the procedure again.

how to find holes in pools
Having found a hole in the inflatable pool, you can seal it up and use it further.

Inflatable

All of the above methods will help to eliminate damage to the inflatable product. But this type of pool has its own specifics, they sometimes break at the seam. Let's see how you can fix this defect.

how to seal a hole in the pool
You can postpone the repair of the pool further if you pre-treat the site of the defect with an alcohol solution and clean it a little with sandpaper.

Isolate the damaged area from water. Degrease (with alcohol, vinegar, but not solvent), glue well the two sides adjacent to the seam with glue, and firmly connect them with oppression. Leave in this position for a day.

Wireframe

The frame pool can also be easily sealed using all of the above methods. And only one temporary measure cannot be applied to the inflatable, but only to the frame structure.

glue the frame pool
For repairs, special kits are produced, which include a PVC patch and a small tube of special glue.

How to seal the pool with tape or plaster? The inflatable pool cannot be sealed with tape, but the frame one, due to its rigid structure, can be temporarily adjusted by this method.

  • Determine where the damaged area is.
  • Mark the puncture site with a marker.
  • Wipe dry the area around the hole, degrease. You can degrease with ordinary ethyl alcohol, cologne, acetone, solvent - whatever is at hand.
  • Stick the tape.
seal the frame pool with tape
The best option for detecting a leak is to completely drain the water.

PVC

PVC pools should not be repaired with super glue, as it is not compatible with PVC material. Using super glue can make the problem even worse.

Underwater pool sealing

In case your pool is very large and it is simply not possible to drain all the water at the moment, and you found the hole under water, that is, a temporary urgent measure. Placement of patches outside and inside. Purchase an adhesive repair kit from a sports store. The composition includes an adhesive tape, one side of which is covered with water-repellent glue.

glue the pool under water
It is possible to seal the damage without draining the water. To do this, you need a special kit containing a material for use under water and from the outside, a sealant.

Important! First, you need to stick a tape of the required size inside the pool to stop the flow of water.And then from the outside

Repair of pools Intex (Intex)

Now let's look at how to glue an Intex pool at home. Intex tanks are made of polyvinyl chloride or rubberized material. A repair kit is attached to the Intex product when purchasing. If it is not there, purchase it from the store. The company of the set corresponds to the brand of the product - Intex.

The set consists of three patches 15 * 50 cm in size, 50 ml PVC glue and two pairs of special gloves.

pool renovation kit Intex
Almost all pools come with a special sealing kit.

The procedure is as follows:

  • Drain the water tank. Wipe the damaged area dry.
  • A section of the required size is cut from the patch. The cut patch should protrude about 2 cm beyond the damage on all sides.
  • Degrease the surface with alcohol or another suitable solution and wait until it dries completely.
  • Apply a thin layer of glue to the patch and attach it to the inside of the pool. Do the same with the outside.
  • Put the load on the sealed area for a day. So that the glue is completely dry and firmly glued all the patches.

Safety at work

To avoid damage, you must familiarize yourself with the safety measures and operating rules for inflatable and frame pools.

washing the frame pool
Try to install pools under awnings or in the shade, as direct UV radiation can break the base.
  • The structure should only be placed on a flat surface. There should be no irregularities in the form of tree roots, stones or other hard and sharp objects.
  • Do not fill the pool with anything other than clean water. It is forbidden to fill the product with plastic baby balls, toys and other loose objects.
  • It is also forbidden to dive into the water from a height, since under pressure the walls of the tank may not withstand and burst.
  • At the end of use, the pool is cleaned, dried, deflated (disassembled), and when folded is stored in a warm place until the next season. Necessarily in a warm place, as the "pool" material begins to deteriorate at sub-zero temperatures.
frame pool intex
Prohibit pets from bathing in the container, otherwise a bite or puncture of the base will occur.

VIDEO: How to glue the Intex frame pool.

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