How to prevent a leaking pool

In-ground swimming pools are the most permanent constructions, so it’s important to be sure about your choice of builder for your swimming pool.


Choose a professional – Some builders offer construction services only, and you will need to hire extra a pool company to deliver and install the pool equipment separately. Here we will try to report about the problems that could arise when building a swimming pool in Bulgaria.

Just imagine your pool is ready and it is leaking or the filtration system is not working properly. The builder is blaming the pool company and the pool company is blaming the builder. If the pool company don’t work side by side with the builder this is most likely to happen. Our advice is to hire one company to build your pool which will then stand for its job and gives you the full guarantee and post guarantee repair and maintenance service.


Swimming pools in Bulgaria?
About 10 years ago there were just some swimming pools in the summer resorts and other places near the sea in Bulgaria. From Bourgas down to the Turkish border there were several communal swimming pools and private ones were hardly to be found.


At that time only a few companies were involved in the construction of swimming pools and they covered the whole country. Generally, these companies just delivered and installed the machinery and the equipment and did some of the finishing works. All major construction works were and are still carried out by companies that have no experience that is required for this type of building.


As a result of this a large amount of the swimming pools in Sunny Beach resort and along the Black Sea coast have problems keeping the water into the pool because of leaks that appeared due to of poor quality construction works and they have to be filled up with water on daily bases in order to avoid leaving the pool empty in the heat of the summer.


Everything has its price, especially with the swimming pools. If you save some money on materials and labour (skilled professionals) you will have problems in the future and instead of enjoying your new swimming pool it may bring you some negative emotions.


We believe this post will be useful to those of you who have decided to have a private swimming pool built and our professional advices will help you in taking the right decision.


Proper excavating and formwork
It is very important when designing the swimming pool to plan enough space in order to provide an access for the building machinery. Quite often because of such lack of space and savings, when doing the excavation works, the walls of the hole for the pool are dug vertical in order that they serve as an outside formwork. Then the wall is reinforced with steel, the inside formwork is put, and the concrete is poured in the wall.

From professional point of view this is impermissible. In this case when the concrete is poured in the wall, earth will fall in the gap between the bottom and the walls and it can not be treated against leaks. Besides, it becomes impossible to vibrate the concrete to the required extent and the wall will not be waterproof. The following hydro insulation (waterproofing) of walls and bottom will not be enough to stop water leaking; it cannot be effective if water penetrates the concrete. If the concrete shell is poured in thus miserable way then the only option will be high quality waterproofing, professionally applied. which is very expensive and this procedure will lead to additional expenses.


Waterproofing construction joints
Waterstops are used to waterproof construction joints, between separately cast slabs. They are generally PVC or vinyl. Waterstops are embedded in concrete joints to create a fluid-tight diaphragm. On most occasions this waterstop tape is either saved or it is not properly installed. The consequences can be very unpleasant – water leaks and delay of the project.

PVC Tubes and fittings
Delivery and fitting of the pool shell equipment (pipes, tubes, inlets, drains, skimmers, lights, etc.)that is placed at the bottom and into the walls is also very important for the quality of the construction works. The installation has to be fitted according to the technical instructions. If installed correctly there will be no risk to ruin the reinforcement and to damage the system. Otherwise the pipe installation can be partially cut off which will lead to its blockage and impossibility to perform its functions. It is recommended that the pipe installation is fitted inside the concrete and not outside it for safety reasons because the fill up with earth that will be made around pool could damage the pipes.

Checking for leaks
When the concrete shell of the pool is ready it has to be filled with water, after 28 days of pouring of the concrete (see how to work with concrete), in order to be tested. There should not be any leaks of water. Anyway if such leaks appear in some places they have to be treated according to technological requirements with the needed materials. After the leaks are removed then the next step will be applying the waterproofing, minimum two coats but three is better, and glass-ceramic tiling installed.


Possible problems that may emerge at this stage are related to the quality of their application and also to the unsuitable weather conditions – if it is very cold or very hot, or wet when the glass ceramic tiles are fitted, then they could fall down by next winter.


The Investors have to be aware that climatic conditions in Bulgaria are not very favorable for pool’s maintenance. In some areas, including the areas along the Black Sea coast winter can be very severe. Within winter period from December till March, freezing and cold may last few weeks. If the tiles are not professionally tiled and the pool itself is “unprepared” for winter season then some unpleasant surprise are quite possible such as an unexpected need of repair and additional expenses.


We have tried to point out some of the problems that may emerge when putting the swimming pool in operation.


We would recommend that you make efforts in order to find a reputable company that has the required experience in pools construction. Also it is very important when choosing a company to find out if the company will be responsible for maintenance of the pool within the warranty term and after this term expires.


Our company guarantee you that upon enquiry we will make you an offer at competitive prices in accordance with your requirements. If our offer is acceptable for you we will build your swimming pool in shortest terms and also we can take care of your pool’s maintenance on request.

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