In January 2025, Fibreglaze restored the 8 x 4 m fibreglass pool in Palm Beach, Queensland. The shell presented with cracking, wall and floor deformation, and osmosis blistering, requiring careful assessment and structural repair before resurfacing.
The cracked and deformed areas were repaired and reinforced where required, osmotic damage and blistering were treated, and surface irregularities were corrected with resin-based screeding and filler. A new structural fibreglass laminate was installed, and the pool was completed in Lagoon Blue Speckle using the Fibreglaze Enduratec finishing system.
These photographs follow the work from the pool’s original condition through preparation and repair to the completed finish.
These were the main pool conditions recorded for this project. Select an issue to learn more about its common signs, possible causes and repair considerations.
Additional views of the preparation, repair work and completed finish.
We contacted Fibreglaze because our pool was ancient, looked horrible and had a gutter that always needed to be cleaned. Fibreglaze did a great job of restoring our pool back to sparkling health (which included boxing in the gutter so it’s no longer a problem). They had great communication, listened to our feedback and were excellent at solving problems. Now our pool looks lovely. I have no hesitation in recommending Fibreglaze.
Answers to common questions about the pool conditions and restoration work shown in this project.
Osmosis bubbles, also called blisters, can develop when moisture reacts with standard general purpose resins beneath the pool’s gelcoat. They may appear as small raised bubbles on the walls or floor. During resurfacing, affected areas are prepared and repaired before the new more advanced fibreglass Enduratec System is applied.
A raised, domed or springy floor often indicates pressure or lost support beneath the fibreglass shell. Groundwater can push upward when the pool is empty or the internal water level is too low, while washed-out, settled or poorly compacted backfill can leave unsupported areas that flex. The shell, groundwater conditions, drainage and surrounding support should all be assessed before repairs are planned. Avoid repeatedly walking on a springy area because continued flexing can place further stress on an ageing laminate.
A fine hairline crack is not automatically structural, but its width alone does not determine the risk. Location, depth, direction, displacement, moisture, surrounding soundness and whether it is growing are all important. Fine crazing may be limited to the surface, while a crack through the shell can admit water or indicate movement. Photograph and mark the crack so changes can be monitored, and arrange an assessment if it is widening, leaking, recurring through repairs or associated with movement.
Fibreglass pool walls rely on the surrounding backfill and the water inside the pool for support. Walls can bow inward when groundwater or wet ground presses against the outside of the shell, when backfill has settled or washed away, or when a lifted floor pulls adjoining walls out of shape. Prolonged empty periods can make the imbalance worse. Repairing the visible curve alone is not enough; the source of pressure, drainage and external support must also be considered.
Ongoing water loss, damp ground, staining, water movement at the crack or a bucket test that confirms abnormal loss can indicate leakage, although the actual source may be elsewhere. Structural concern increases where the crack is displaced, widening, repeated through an earlier repair or accompanied by settlement, bowed walls or movement at steps and fittings. Neither condition can be confirmed from a photograph alone. Leak testing and inspection of the surrounding shell are used to determine whether lining repair, plumbing work or structural investigation is required.
A few small blisters do not automatically mean the pool is structurally unsafe, but they should not be ignored. Osmosis indicates that moisture and chemical activity are occurring beneath the visible surface. The seriousness depends on how many blisters are present, how deep they extend and whether the surrounding laminate is still sound. Widespread, split or weeping blisters generally require more extensive removal and reconstruction than a small isolated area. An inspection that opens representative blisters is the best way to determine the extent.
Send us a few photos and our team can help identify the likely issue and the most suitable next step.
