Repair or replace an Intex pool?

[Mmathis]

We have a 12’ x 30” deep Intex pool that we’re using as a “temporary“ pond for goldfish and plants. I think it holds about 1200 gallons. It’s round. I have no idea what the goldfish population is. Unfortunately, when we set it up, we weren’t able to get it level, so over the past few years it has been slumping pretty bad. It’s been Ok, until we noticed a leak last week (we suspect it’s where the lawn guys weed-whacked around the base.)

We have it more or less patched, and our plan for the weekend is to empty and clean it (move the fish to a smaller Rubbermaid stock tank) so we can do a more thorough patch Job.

So, my question is this: Would patching the hole really work over time (say, another year or so) or would it be better if we replaced the pool all together? (No idea when we will eventually have our real pond built)

 

[Stephen Noble]

The hole looks like it was created by a terrific blow. Perhaps a rock thrown by the weed-wacker? The problem is where the hole is located. It couldn't be in a worse location. I can't tell from the image but are there small horizontal holes underneath the big hole too? Because it looks like the fabric is deteriorated. If so, I would replace the pool. If you decide to repair, you might get another season out of the pool. One advantage we 'southerners' have is no ice to deal with but we have to deal with the sunshine blasting our ponds.

 

[j.w]

We have a 12’ x 30” deep Intex pool that we’re using as a “temporary“ pond for goldfish and plants. I think it holds about 1200 gallons. It’s round. I have no idea what the goldfish population is. Unfortunately, when we set it up, we weren’t able to get it level, so over the past few years it has been slumping pretty bad. It’s been Ok, until we noticed a leak last week (we suspect it’s where the lawn guys weed-whacked around the base.)

We have it more or less patched, and our plan for the weekend is to empty and clean it (move the fish to a smaller Rubbermaid stock tank) so we can do a more thorough patch Job.

So, my question is this: Would patching the hole really work over time (say, another year or so) or would it be better if we replaced the pool all together? (No idea when we will eventually have our real pond built)

View attachment 165742

You could lay some kind of a cheap liner over it all if you only need it to last a year or so. Not sure how much those pools cost to replace vs the cheap liner?

 

[WaterGardener]

The prices should be dropping at this time of the year.

A friend picks up used ones from people who are throwing them out at the end of the season. He uses them for covering hay over the winter.

Maybe you could post on Nextdoor or similar site offering to haul them off, even if you have to dismantle them?

 

[Lisak1]

Ouch! I think I’d bite the bullet and replace it. Leaking further into the season would just be so much more difficult to manage.

 

[GBBUDD]

Thats a bad spot for a repair. you could dig down and get to an area where it can be repaired.

Now that does look like hdrpe and that can be repaired with standard epdm tape and primer. i'd give it a shot if it fails your out 50 bucks top. and a hour or two labor.

id try gorilla water proof tape to start then apply a epdm patch over that as it will need to be 100% dry

or you could try flex tape and again put a epdm patch over it if it was due to a weed whacker it will help protect the liner

 

[Mmathis]

I really appreciate the input. I was ready to place an order for a new pool. However, Hubby wants to try the repair method, so that’s what we’re doing. We got the pool drained yesterday and moved plants, fish, and snails into a big Rubbermaid stock tank, and once we got the pool drained (had to pull out the PONDOVAC because the pump I have didn’t have enough GPH — and was taking too long — couldn’t find our sump pump), hooked Skippy back up to the Rubbermaid tank. Today, with a dry pool, we’re going to clean as much as much as possible on the inside, and go for a repair job over more area than just the hole. Wish us luck!

Oh, and we put edging up around the base of the pool so the lawn guys can’t do any more damage.

 

[Lisak1]

They were thorough - you have to hand em that!

 

[Mmathis]

@GBBUDD I have no idea what the pool is made of. This is the only info provided by Amazon. Hubby researched and got a combination of repair stuff off the shelf at Lowes. I think there is Gorilla tape in that mix.

 

[GBBUDD]

@GBBUDD I have no idea what the pool is made of. This is the only info provided by Amazon. Hubby researched and got a combination of repair stuff off the shelf at Lowes. I think there is Gorilla tape in that mix.

View attachment 165765

from what i can see in the picture it appears to look like a weave and that would leave me to believe its the hdrpe, after the lowes fix . tape get a epdm repair and place it over the tape

 

[addy1]

I would get that pl roofing goop, after all that smear on the edges of the patch. Me I would goop it all and slap another patch over it all.

Fixed a hole in my 1000 gallon stock tank with pl and a piece of liner 10ish years ago. Somebody stuck the digging fork of her bucket through it.

 

[Mmathis]

WELL GUESS WHAT? I was re-filling the pool this afternoon…….and discovered many more leaky spots……many more. Fortunately, didn’t have a lot of water in it, and the fish weren’t moved back yet, so it’s OK. Everything is OK! It’s all OK!

There was a TON of gunk in the bottom of the pool (no, I haven’t been cleaning it on a regular basis). I kinda think some of that gunk was acting like a glue plug and that’s why we weren’t seeing leaks before now.

(Hard to type when there’s a big kitty cat on your lap, trying to compete with the iPad for my hand)

Maybe this will spur us on the FINALLY get the real pond built! We’ve only been in this house 6 years…..

Anyway, just ordered a replacement that will be here in 2 days.

 

[addy1]

I gave up on my tablet! and the sucker was new.

With 3 to 7 pups on my lap, demanding rubs , playing, way to hard to hold.

And my hands don't like holding it.

So now everything on my phone, which has a nice large screen.

 

[GBBUDD]

WELL GUESS WHAT? I was re-filling the pool this afternoon…….and discovered many more leaky spots……many more. Fortunately, didn’t have a lot of water in it, and the fish weren’t moved back yet, so it’s OK. Everything is OK! It’s all OK!

There was a TON of gunk in the bottom of the pool (no, I haven’t been cleaning it on a regular basis). I kinda think some of that gunk was acting like a glue plug and that’s why we weren’t seeing leaks before now.

(Hard to type when there’s a big kitty cat on your lap, trying to compete with the iPad for my hand)

Maybe this will spur us on the FINALLY get the real pond built! We’ve only been in this house 6 years…..

Anyway, just ordered a replacement that will be here in 2 days.

did you complete a design?

 

[Mmathis]

@GBBUDD No, putting it off (too many other life-issues these past 12 months — Hubby’s brother passed away just before Thanksgiving last year, and we’ve been staying busy with SIL, helping her adjust). But, I have decided not to connect to the turtle habitat as originally planned, and go with a slightly above ground level pond, waterfall, bog, skimmer….. Maybe in the Spring??