Fibreglass pools are gorgeous and typically require less maintenance than many other types of pools. However, these pools sometimes develop spider cracks. While they are not always serious, these cracks can sometimes be a sign of bigger problems. Here are five tips on avoiding spider cracks, ascertaining if they are serious and dealing with them if they occur:

1. Have a reputable professional install your fibreglass pool

Spider cracks can occur due to mistakes made during the shipping or installation process. Accidentally bumping the pool while it is in transit, positioning it unevenly or setting it down too harshly can all cause these cracks. Based on these risks, you should choose your fibreglass pool manufacturer and installer very carefully and insist on a reputable installer.

2. Keep trees and other plants with strong root systems away from your pool

In addition to poor installation practises or shipping injuries, spider cracks can also occur if tree or plant roots unsettle your fibreglass pool. Before installing your pool, have your installer look at the position of your current trees to see if their roots may cause danger in the future.

Once your fibreglass pool is installed, use caution when planting new trees. Do not plant deciduous trees with large root systems anywhere near the pool. In most cases, trees have roots that almost mimic their upper branches. Imagine how the tree will look when full grown and then mentally flip the image to estimate whether or not the tree's roots will affect the pool.

3. Ascertain if cracks are superficial or not

Unfortunately, in spite of your best efforts, your pool may eventually develop some spider cracks anyway. Once you see spider cracks, you need to determine if they are superficial and only in the gel coating or if they are deep and in the fibreglass shell. To investigate, check the pool for leaks.

To check the pool for leaks, use a wax crayon to draw a line at your water level. Wait a few days and see if the water level drops. During this time, do not use the pool to ensure you don't splash water out of it, and keep it covered so you don't lose water through evaporation.

If the water level stays the same, your cracks are most likely benign and superficial. If the level appears to drop, you may have cracks that are allowing the pool to leak, and you need to continue to investigate.

4. Find the source of the leak

To assess the real source of your leak, contact a professional to look at your pool's filter, suction ports and return lines as well as your gaskets, fittings and drains. These are all common sites of possible leaks. In most cases, leaks in these areas can be repaired easily with a bit of epoxy.

Once you have found the real leak, you can rest assured that your cracks are superficial, and you can hire a professional to buff them out if you like.

5. Have a professional buff cracks and re-apply gel coating or install a new pool

To repair these superficial spider cracks, a repair expert will simply buff the cracks by sanding the pool's gel coat, and then, he or she will reapply the gel coat. As this is only cosmetic damage, you do not have to hire a professional if you don't want to.

However, on the other hand, if you were not able to find a leak anywhere else in the pool and you believe the leak is actually part of the fibreglass shell, you will need to hire a professional to fix those deep cracks. In some cases, these professionals may actually advise you to replace the shell with a new one. To avoid facing emergency repair costs like this, remember to buy a warranty before having your fibreglass pool installed by a company like Riverina Pools & Spas.