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How to Fill in Deck Cracks Around the Water Line in an In-ground Pool

The place where your deck meets the water line is the coping. It’s typically made of concrete. Despite concrete’s strength and durability, it can crack and break away over time. To repair a crack in your coping, an epoxy resin mortar is needed. While you’ll need to drain your pool to ensure no debris is sucked into the filter or drain, the process of fixing the crack is fairly straightforward.

Things You'll Need

  • Hammer
  • Chisel
  • Wire brush
  • Tarp
  • Epoxy resin mortar repair kit
  • Pail
  • Trowel
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Instructions

    • 1

      Drain your pool. Fixing a crack at the water line will cause debris to fall into the pool. Some of the debris may harm the filter or drain system and is difficult to remove immediately after it falls into the pool. Lay a tarp on the floor of your pool to catch the debris. A tarp is optional, but it will make the cleaning process easier.

    • 2

      Enlarge the crack with a hammer and chisel. Slide the chisel into the crack and use a hammer to expand the crack slightly. Without enlarging the crack, the epoxy mortar will not be able to fully repair the crack.

    • 3

      Use your finger and a wire brush to remove any small pieces of the concrete coping. Scrub the crack with water and a wire brush to remove any oils and dirt.

    • 4

      Mix the epoxy resin mortar repair kit in a pail with the supplied curing agent, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Some repair kits require only a minute of mixing, while others require a longer mixing time. Use a wooden stick to mix the mortar.

    • 5

      Apply the epoxy mortar to the coping crack with a trowel. Apply only enough to fill in the crack; remove the excess with a sponge and water immediately. Smooth the mortar with a trowel so that it's flush with the coping. Allow the epoxy mortar to cure; the time necessary will vary depending on manufacturer.

    • 6

      Remove any debris that fell into your pool. Refill your pool.