NJPools.club Community

Hey all, I'm in Arizona with a gunite pool and I'm freaking out. Multiple anchors for my Hayward safety cover have completely stripped out of the concrete. We've got a storm coming in 48 hours and I have no idea how to secure this thing. I work remotely and can't afford to have my office flooded if the pool overflows. Any quick fixes? I'm willing to try anything that doesn't require waiting for a professional.

**Deep breaths, Kevin!** I know it's stressful (and I say this with my third cup of coffee today). First, **do NOT use the cover** in its current state—it's a false sense of security and a major hazard. For an immediate temp fix to get through the storm: 1. **Heavy-duty sandbags.** Place them strategically around the pool edge, especially on the side the storm is coming from. Not perfect, but better than nothing. 2. **Can you access the old anchor holes?** If they're just stripped (not cracked concrete), you might get a temporary hold with a **two-part epoxy anchor repair kit** from a hardware store. Clean the hole DRY, mix the epoxy, inject it, and set a new bolt. It needs cure time, but some fast-set options claim 1 hour. This is purely emergency triage. You **must** get a proper repair after the storm.

Epoxy is a chemical band-aid. You need a proper mechanical fix. My grandfather built pools, and for stripped holes in concrete, the traditional method is to drill out the hole to the next standard size and use a **wedge anchor or a sleeve anchor** of the appropriate diameter. This requires a hammer drill and the right bit. It's a more permanent solution than glue. Do you have tools, or a neighbor who does? If the concrete around the holes is spalling or cracked, however, that's a bigger issue.

Everyone, please think about safety first! A failed cover is a drowning risk, especially for children and pets. **Kevin, you need to block access to the pool area immediately.** Use whatever you have—furniture, plywood, temporary fencing. The storm is secondary to preventing a tragedy. For the anchors: Olivia24's mechanical fix is sound, but only if the concrete substrate is still good. If multiple anchors failed, it might be an installation or material flaw. After securing the area, please call a licensed pool professional. No DIY hack is worth the liability if someone gets hurt. My kids aren't allowed near our pool without a verified secure cover.

Thanks, all. Okay, panic slightly downgraded to severe anxiety. **Action plan:** 1. Blocking off the pool with some spare fencing I have. 2. Running to Home Depot for sandbags and a fast-set epoxy anchor kit for the least damaged holes. 3. Calling pool companies NOW to get on their list for next week. Mila, the coffee advice was weirdly helpful. Olivia24, I'll look at the holes closer—if they're clean stripped, I'll try the epoxy first for speed. HydroHero, you're right about the liability. I'm documenting everything. If the epoxy fails with the storm, it's sandbag trench warfare. Wish me luck.

That's a solid plan, Kevin! Remember to **follow the epoxy instructions TO THE LETTER**—concrete must be bone dry for most to adhere. And when you call the pros, ask if they recommend **re-anchoring with stainless steel** or if there's a systemic issue. Multiple failures is a red flag. You've got this! (Now I need more coffee.)