How to Repair a Crack in Inground Pool Stairs

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Things You'll Need

  • #80 sandpaper

  • PermaFlex liquid rubber ultra-adhesive

  • Hose

  • Wet/dry vacuum

  • Thickening activator

  • Liquid rubber base

  • Putty knife

  • Vinyl repair kit

  • Swimming pool epoxy

  • Paintbrush

Regardless of whether the inground pool is made of concrete, fiberglass, or vinyl, filling cracks in stairs is one of the simplest fixes even for owners with little experience making their own repairs.

How to Repair Cracks in a Concrete Pool

Step 1

Drain the water in the inground pool to the level of the cracked steps.

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Step 2

Use #80 sandpaper to smooth the area near the crack.

Step 3

Prime the crack by brushing it with one coat of PermaFlex liquid rubber ultra-adhesive.

Step 4

Mix liquid rubber base and thickening activator at a ratio of 2:1. This simply means twice as much liquid rubber base than thickening activator in the mix regardless of the total amount to be used. Use a putty knife to profile and patch the crack using this mixture.

Step 5

Apply two more coats of PermaFlex to seal the area.

Step 6

Apply the swimming pool epoxy over the area. Use the same brand and style already present in the rest of the pool.

How to Repair Cracks in a Fiberglass Pool

Step 1

Drain the water in the inground pool to the level of the cracked steps.

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Step 2

Spray the pool liner with the hose every two minutes to keep it wet during repairs thus preventing damage. If this proves too much of a hassle while concentrating on repairing the steps, then ask a friend for help.

Step 3

Use a putty knife to fill the crack with underwater fiberglass/epoxy repair adhesive. Allow the adhesive to dry for 30 minutes. Continue spraying the pool liner with the hose every two minutes to prevent damage from drying.

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How to Repair Cracks in a Vinyl Pool

Step 1

Drain the water level to between six and eight inches in the shallow end of the inground pool.

Step 2

Lift part of the liner in the shallow end opposite the steps and use the wet/dry vacuum to draw out the water from between the liner and the wall. This sucks the vinyl down to the wall and keeps it in position for applying the adhesive glue.

Step 3

Hold the vinyl in place and apply the adhesive glue included in the vinyl repair kit to the crack.

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