how to seal a frame pool at home

A frame pool, like an inflatable one, is prone to breakdowns. Therefore, owners may be interested in the question of how to seal a frame pool at home. The quality of the repair depends on the selected patch material and leak repair technology. As a rule, to fix a problem, a standard set of tools and available adhesive materials - waterproof glue, sealant and adhesive tape - are sufficient. Sometimes you have to visit a store to buy special products - a repair kit, FlexTape adhesive tape.

How to determine a leak

At the preliminary stage, the possibility of natural evaporation is excluded. For this:

The pool is filled with water and the water level is noted.
Fill a bucket or basin with water, place it in the bowl and mark the level.
After a day, the levels are compared. With the same decrease, it is a matter of natural evaporation.

If the water level changes unevenly, look for a leak. Common breach locations:

valves;
valves;
pumps and filters;
heaters.

Here are some tips on how to find a hole in a frame pool:

Initially, check the drain valve; it blocks the flow of water from the tank. Gasket leaks are a common cause of water loss. Sometimes the gasket can become leaky towards the end of the season. Inspect the connection between the hose and the slag separator or pump. The problem is solved by sealing the threaded connections.
Inspect surfaces for damage: cracks, chips, scratches and holes.
In a pool flooded with water, they check with the help of small debris: the current brings it to the crack, where it remains. The hole is small and there is no way for debris to escape.
Effectively search for dye leaks. Add it in small portions to the bowl and observe the flow of water: the dye tends to leave the reservoir through the gap.

Additionally, problems with the plumbing are eliminated:

During the day, water levels are measured with the pump running and off.
If there is a large water leak while the filters are running, the water supply system must be repaired. If losses are equal, look for a hole.

Diagnostics

So, you have noticed that the water level in the pool is rapidly decreasing. Before starting repair work, you need to make sure that the tank is actually damaged. The thing is that under the influence of direct sunlight, water tends to evaporate.

There are several methods that can be used to determine whether there is a puncture in an inflatable pool:

cover the tank with soapy water - if there is a puncture, air will escape at its location;
place the inflated pool in a container of water and carefully watch where bubbles appear;
try to hear with your ears where the pool passes air.

To ensure that the structure of the frame tank is damaged, you need to perform some steps.

Visually inspect the structure - walls and bottom.
If the inspection did not yield any results and the puncture could not be visually detected, you will need, for example, a bucket of water. A container of water should be placed next to the pool, which is also filled with liquid. And after 24 hours, at least see if the water level has changed in both the bucket and the pool. If the water in the tank remains at the same level, but its quantity in the tank has decreased, there is only one conclusion - the pool structure is damaged.

If it has been determined that the frame pool is leaking, you need to find the leak point. The following may occur in a frame structure:

filter gasket;
the place where the pipe connects to the slag separator;
bowl;
bottom.

In the first two cases, a special coloring pigment will help to find the leak, which

will detect a hole by responding to increased water flow.

To find a puncture on the walls of the structure, it needs to be examined in detail. There will most likely be water on the outside. If the bottom of the tank is damaged, dirt will accumulate at the puncture site.

And also, after finding a puncture, you need to diagnose the nature and size of the damage, this will help determine the materials for repair.

What is the best way to seal a hole in a frame pool?

Before sealing the BestWay frame pool, you should choose the appropriate repair option.

How can you seal a frame pool, according to the recommendations of manufacturers and specialists:

Special adhesive tape. The quality of the final work is mediocre, the leak retention time is short. Repairing a pool at home is recommended as an emergency method.
Repair kit. Produced by pool manufacturer Intex. The set includes: a special patch made of material identical to the material of the model, waterproof glue for frame pools and a degreasing liquid.
Boat repair kit.
A patch made from scrap materials. She is put on glue. The result depends on the patch material, the chosen glue and the repair technique. Sometimes it is possible to properly seal a hole in the pool.
Set for vulcanization of car tires. Contains: patch and special glue. Carry out by specialists at the car service center. The quality of the result is excellent.
Plumbing sealant. Suitable for small punctures. Fills holes, does not crumble over time and is not exposed to water and sun. The quality of repair is optimal for small gaps.

What kind of glue can be used to seal a swimming pool?

"Liquid patch." PVC patch solution. Drying time – 10 minutes. The quality is excellent, allows you to patch holes smaller than 3 cm.
Glue "Moment" for rubber. Allows you to cheaply and effectively repair a BestWay pool.
Superglue "Vinyl cement". Eliminates leaks using the cold welding principle. High reliability of adhesion, high-quality glue for Intex frame pools.

Sealing methods

There are two ways to patch a leak. The choice of method depends on the location of the leak, its size and nature. To seal the Intex pool use:

sticker with aluminum tape, bitumen tape, electrical tape or waterproof tape;
gluing a patch to one side of the wall or bottom;
sticking patches on both sides of the leak.

Sealing with a patch is a more reliable method, since it involves tightly gluing the surfaces around the perimeter of the leak with a margin. You must follow the instructions to ensure the patch is installed securely.

Preparation for repair

Preliminary activities include the following steps:

Draining the water and drying the pool.
The pool is located on a flat surface.
Preparing the hole for repair: rubbing the surface with sandpaper for optimal adhesion.
Degreasing contact surfaces with acetone, alcohol or nail polish remover.

Working with a water pool:

Remove excess debris by wiping the tank with rags or a sponge.
If possible, drain the water to the level of the puncture.
Treat with sandpaper and degrease the surfaces.

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.

Step-by-step instructions for sealing a swimming pool without water

Common tools for working with a dry tank are a repair kit, adhesive tape, a patch made from scrap materials, sealant, PVC patch and waterproof glue. First make sure that all damage is found and the pool is dry. Carry out repairs following the manufacturer's recommendations.

Patch from the repair kit

Procedure:

Degrease surfaces with acetone, alcohol or other suitable liquid.
Clean the pool wall with sandpaper.
Remove dust.
Using scissors, cut out a patch of the desired size and shape.
Apply glue evenly to the patch.
Apply a patch to the hole.
Install under the press. Waiting time - according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Adhesive tape

Using adhesive tape, you can seal the pool in the following sequence:

Degrease the puncture site.
Cut a piece to size.
Press down onto the surface of the pool.
The pool is left alone. The waiting time is according to the tape manufacturer's instructions.

Patch made from improvised means

How to properly seal the frame with a handy patch:

Cut a patch of the required size from a material suitable for the pool (an old circle or air mattress, tarpaulin).
Degrease surfaces.
Glue the patch using waterproof glue.
Place under a press for a day.
Additionally, strengthen the edges with sealant.

Masking the taped area

There is no need to mask the location of the defect if a patch made of transparent material or a color matched was used.

In all other cases, you can use the following methods of decorating the sealed area:

using a waterproof marker, draw any image at the repair site;
if it is decided to paint over the defect, then use waterproof elastic paints;
The easiest way is to immediately glue a patch in the form of an animal figure, a sun or a flower;
For small models, you can put on a decorative cover that will hide the location of the defect and additionally protect it from new damage.

How to seal without draining water

Repairs may be required internally or externally. A leak from the inside can be eliminated without draining the water only with adhesive tape specially designed for such work.

Flex Tape

Work algorithm:

Cut a piece of tape to the desired size.
Carefully glue the tape under water to the puncture site.
Keep the patch in the filled tank for 5 minutes.

For outside work, a repair kit for boats and a special patch for a children's pool are suitable. You can seal the leak from the outside without draining the water using sealant.

Repair kit for boats

Procedure:

The patch from the kit is pre-sanded with sandpaper and cut to a suitable shape and size.
Degrease work surfaces.
Apply glue to the patch and to the puncture site.
Press the patch tightly and hold for 15 minutes.

How to repair an Intex bowl with your own hands?

Situations often arise when a hole is discovered, but there is no special repair kit at hand. It takes a long time to look for it in stores or order delivery via the Internet; in such cases, they use other materials, with the help of which the problem is solved no less effectively.

Can

Several methods are used:

regular tape or adhesive tape that can be used to stop the leak for a while;
elastic adhesive composition “Liquid patch”, which is intended for repairing PVC products;
waterproof adhesives designed for contact with surfaces made of PVC and other polymers.

These methods have different operating times, but allow you to do without a standard repair kit.

It is forbidden

You cannot use adhesives that are not intended for use with PVC products.
In addition, non-waterproof materials should not be used , even if they are intended for polymer products.

The patches on the inflatable part will quickly begin to peel off, and the leak will appear again, perhaps in an enlarged form.

How to seal a frame pool along the seam

In case of leakage at the joints use:

Waterproof sealant for small holes and patches of the required size. The patches are placed on both sides, the waiting time is two days.
Industrial dryer. An economical option for obtaining a factory seam, but the work is painstaking. Additionally, take strips of PVC materials, the size is 1-2 cm larger than the hole. Drain the water, degrease the surfaces and use a hairdryer to heat the materials until slightly melting, after which they are combined.
Bitumen tape. Cut out the patch and heat it with a hair dryer. It is necessary to seal the seam from the inside the first time. From the outside, the tape is heated with a hairdryer, the patch melts and seals the hole.

Prevention of leakage

Recommendations for caring for your pool will help keep it from developing holes longer:

Regularly inspect the tank and drain valve for integrity.
Clean the bowl and hoses regularly with special products.
Do not use piercing or sharp objects in the pool.
Do not allow pets into the pool: they can tear the linen with their claws and teeth.
Do not install the pool on uneven surfaces or near trees and bushes.
Place bedding before installation.
At the installation site, remove unnecessary objects, stones, branches, and do not tilt the pool on its side.
Cover the bowl with an awning at night.
Do not leave the pool in the sun for a long time.
When installing the model, use a special film.
Do not lean on the sides, do not push off sharply from the walls.

The average service life of a frame pool is 4-7 years. The duration depends on the operating conditions, the regularity of preventive measures and the quality of repair work. The work is carried out in compliance with safety precautions, adhering to the manufacturer’s recommendations for working with repair kits and sealant. In difficult leakage situations, you should contact specialists or a service center for help to seal the Intex frame pool.

Rules for the operation and storage of an inflatable pool

Any inflatable devices are stored and operated in compliance with the following rules:

Vinyl varieties are installed only on a flat, soft base, without height differences or protruding sharp objects. It is better to lay a carpet, thick tarpaulin or foam layer underneath.
The inflatable pool is intended to be filled with water only. Otherwise, the service life may be shortened.
It is forbidden to sit and stand on the sides, because they can become deformed and tear.
Do not fill the entire bowl to the brim, because water will spill out during bathing.
The inner surface is regularly cleaned of dirt, and only clean water is used to fill the bowl.
At the end of the season, the water is drained, the product is blown off, dried and stored folded in a warm room.