Are Cracks in the pool plaster worth fixing now?

Chris_Ford

Chris_Ford

New member
Just noticed a few hairline cracks in the plaster near the deep end. Should I patch these ASAP or wait until I do a resurfacing?
 
Hey Chris, I had the same thing last year, and little cracks were showing up around the deep end and steps. Mine looked small, but I still had them checked out just to be safe.

The pool guy said as long as they’re just surface level (like not leaking or getting bigger), you can usually wait until you resurface. But if they feel sharp or are catching dirt, it might be worth doing a quick patch now just to keep things clean.

I didn’t fix mine right away, and they didn’t get worse, but I kept an eye on them every couple of weeks. If they start spreading or flaking, def don’t wait too long.
 
Hairline cracks in plaster are pretty common, especially as the pool ages. If they’re not leaking or getting worse, you can probably wait until your next resurfacing. But if you see them collecting dirt, algae, or feel rough to the touch, it’s smart to do a quick patch now to keep the water balanced and protect your pool shell. I use a simple plaster repair kit for small spots like that.
 
I had the same issue last year. I patched the small cracks with an underwater plaster mix just to be safe and it held up fine until I resurfaced the whole pool months later. Leaving them untreated could lead to staining or let water seep into the shell over time. A quick patch job now gives you peace of mind until you’re ready for a full resurfacing.
 
I spotted a few tiny cracks near the drain area a while back and wasn’t sure what to do either. Ended up having a pool guy take a closer look during routine service, and he said the key thing is watching for any changes, like new ones popping up or the texture shifting.

I didn’t rush into fixing mine right away, but I started snapping a quick photo every week or so to track them. That helped me feel a bit more in control without jumping straight into repairs. If they’re stable, you’ve got time, but the minute they start looking different, I’d take action.
 
While small cracks may not seem like an immediate concern, it’s important to address them as soon as possible to prevent water from seeping behind the plaster. Even if the cracks aren’t growing at the moment, they can still cause underlying damage to the structure of your pool, especially if water gets under the plaster and affects the concrete or steel. A patch now could help maintain your pool’s integrity and potentially save you from a more expensive resurfacing project down the line. Additionally, keeping your pool properly balanced in terms of chemicals and regularly cleaning the filtration system will help prevent further issues from arising.
 
I’ve had a few small cracks show up too, and they didn’t cause any issues right away, but I did end up patching them just to be safe. It was an easy fix with one of those plaster repair kits. Figured it was better to deal with them early instead of risking algae or dirt buildup later on. Anyone have a favorite patch product they like to use?
 
I noticed some small cracks near the deep end of my pool and wasn’t sure whether to fix them right away or wait for a major renovation.

Turns out, small cracks are common with aging pools. I patched them temporarily with underwater plaster and now monitor them regularly. If they get worse, I’ll fix them properly later.
 
I’d say it depends on how long you plan to wait before resurfacing. If that’s still a couple of years away, a quick patch now is worth doing—it doesn’t take much time, and it keeps dirt and algae from settling into those hairline lines. On the other hand, if you’re already thinking of resurfacing in the near future, it may not be worth the extra effort.

One thing I’ve found helpful is to keep the water chemistry on point. Balanced water slows down plaster wear and makes the cracks less likely to stain. Even if you don’t patch them right away, just staying on top of that can save you headaches.
 
I’ve dealt with a few of those little cracks myself, and from what I learned, it’s less about whether they look small now and more about how they behave over time. Hairline cracks might stay harmless for years, but they can also become a spot where dirt, algae, or even minerals start collecting. That’s usually when they start to stand out more and become annoying to clean.

If you’re planning a full resurfacing soon, it’s probably fine to just monitor them and keep your water chemistry balanced. But if resurfacing isn’t on the horizon, I’d do a simple patch, it’s inexpensive, doesn’t take long, and gives you peace of mind that nothing is sneaking behind the plaster. Kind of a “better safe than sorry” approach.
 
I’ve had similar cracks before, and honestly, it’s quite common in the pool areas that get a lot of use. If the cracks are small and not leaking, you can usually wait until the next resurfacing. But if they start spreading or flaking, it’s definitely better to address them sooner. If you’re not doing a full resurfacing yet, a small patch could help keep things balanced and prevent further damage. Have you tried a quick patch, or are you waiting for the full resurfacing?
 
I’ve seen small cracks like that too! Turns out, it’s pretty common as long as there’s no water leaking. I added a temporary plaster patch to keep the water balanced before doing a full resurfacing. Keep an eye on it, and if it starts getting bigger or showing leaks, it’s time to act.
 
I’ll throw a slightly different angle in here because most of the “patch now or wait” advice has been covered.

First thing I’d check is whether those hairline cracks are just surface craze cracks or if they follow a pattern. Random spider lines in older plaster are pretty normal. But if they run in a straight line across the deep end floor or track along the wall to floor transition, that can sometimes point to minor shell movement or settling. That’s when I’d be less relaxed about it.

Also take a look at your water balance history. If your saturation index has been running negative for a while, say low calcium hardness with a pH that drifts down, plaster can get etched and more prone to fine cracking. On the flip side, if you’ve had high calcium and scaling, deposits can fill those cracks and hide what’s really going on underneath. Either way, the chemistry over time matters more than people think.

If they’re truly hairline, not sharp, and your water loss is stable with no unexplained drop beyond normal evaporation, I’d personally document them and monitor. Take a photo every month and check your waterline tile for new rust stains or weeping spots. If anything changes, then patch or bring someone out. If they stay boring and the same, you probably have some breathing room.
 
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