If you've noticed cracks in your pool's plaster or shell, you're dealing with one of the most common pool problems in North Texas. The DFW area has some of the most challenging soil conditions in the country for in-ground pools, and cracking is a natural result of that environment. Here's what you need to know: what causes them, when they're serious, and what your repair options look like.
Why North Texas Pools Crack More Than Most
The highly expansive clay soil found throughout Dallas, Fort Worth, and the surrounding suburbs is the primary culprit. This soil, sometimes called "black gumbo," absorbs water and expands significantly when wet, then shrinks and contracts when dry. A typical North Texas year includes wet springs, brutal dry summers, and unpredictable winter freezes. Each cycle puts stress on the pool shell and the soil that surrounds it.
Over years and decades, this constant movement causes the gunite shell to develop cracks. The soil underneath the pool can also erode as water escapes through small leaks, creating voids that allow sections of the shell to shift independently, which widens existing cracks and creates new ones.
Surface Cracks vs. Structural Cracks
Surface cracks (cosmetic)
Hairline cracks in the plaster layer that don't penetrate the gunite shell beneath are generally cosmetic. They can make the pool look worn and may eventually allow some water absorption through the plaster, but they don't represent a structural problem. These are common in pools over 15 years old and are often addressed as part of a full replaster.
Structural cracks (serious)
Cracks that penetrate through the gunite shell are a different matter. These allow water to escape into the surrounding soil, which leads to further soil erosion, which leads to more cracking. It's a cycle that gets worse over time. Structural cracks are typically wider, may have jagged edges, and can sometimes be felt as a ridge when you run your hand along the pool wall. If you see staining or discoloration tracking from a crack, water is almost certainly moving through it.
How We Diagnose Pool Cracks
We use dye testing to determine whether a crack is actively leaking. By releasing dye near suspect cracks in a still pool, we can watch whether the dye is drawn into the crack, which tells us water is moving through it. This tells us exactly which cracks are structural and which are cosmetic, so we don't recommend repairs that aren't necessary.
Repair Options
Hydraulic cement and crack injection
For isolated structural cracks, we can inject hydraulic cement or polyurethane into the crack from the inside of the pool. This is an effective repair for cracks that are accessible and localized, and it can be done without draining the pool in many cases.
Chip and fill
For larger or more active cracks, we chip out the crack to create a clean V-groove profile, then fill it with hydraulic cement. This gives a more durable bond than surface patching.
Full shell repair with replaster
When cracks are widespread or the overall plaster condition is poor, the most cost-effective long-term solution is often a full repair and replaster. We address all structural issues first, then apply fresh plaster across the entire pool surface for a clean, watertight result.
When to Act
Don't wait on structural cracks. The clay soil around DFW pools is unforgiving. Every gallon that escapes through a crack erodes more soil and gives the crack room to grow. A crack repair that costs a few hundred dollars this season can turn into a major structural job next year if left alone through a Texas summer and winter.
Cracks in your pool? Get it checked before it gets worse.
Excelsior Pool Services. Free estimates, serving Southlake, Flower Mound, and all of DFW.
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