Rapid Pool Crack Repair for YMCA in Bellevue, Washington

The Challenge

YMCA swimming pool with rising water bills revealed voids below many cracks.

At the YMCA facility in Bellevue, Washington rising water bills were becoming an issue. Administrators noticed a number of small cracks at the edge of the swimming pool and between small tiles at various places around the pool. Closer inspection following selected tile removal revealed voids underneath the cracks. Faced with a serious problem that threatened the facility’s main attraction, administrators contacted Groundworks to inquire about polyurethane injections as a possible solution.

Key Facts

The Solution

Polyurethane injections were injected in a 4×4 grid pattern to provide void filling.

The project required that all work be conducted in a way that minimized disruption to the tiles within and around the pool. The crew inspected the entire area and formulated an injection plan that would support a second round of pool repair activities scheduled to begin immediately following the completion of polyurethane injections. The pool had been constructed with a designed dip in the middle to support complete drainage, when required, and Groundworks crews formulated the injection plan to account for this design feature.

Polyurethane injections was performed in a 4×4 grid pattern using polyurethane injections to provide void filling, under-sealing for the shell of the pool, and overall support for the entire structure. At various points throughout the application, polymer material was observed escaping through unidentified cracks and voids around the pool, which confirmed the initial assumptions that years of leaching water flow had seriously compromised the soils beneath the swimming pool at the YMCA.

The Impact

All work was completed during one day at the Bellevue YMCA and following one more day of scheduled tile repair and maintenance.

All work was completed during one day at the Bellevue YMCA and following one more day of scheduled tile repair and maintenance, the facility was able to begin refilling the pool and preparing to open again to the public. Polyurethane injections permanently solved the YMCA’s problem. Water bills stabilized and facility administrators breathed a sigh of relief knowing their swimming pool was intact, sealed, supported, and open for service to the community for years to come.