A How-to for Repairing Your Diving Board Before Next Summer
- Replace the Bolts and Hinges. The safety of those who use your diving board is affected by the shape of the hinges attaching the board to the diving stand.
- Monitor the Fulcrum. The fulcrum wheel is tasked with adjusting the board’s position. ...
- Keep the Surface Fresh. The state of your fiberglass covering will also determine functionality and safety. ...
Full Answer
Can I replace my diving board bolts?
Before we begin replacing the diving board bolts we will want to make sure that our diving board is structurally sound otherwise. If your board has hairline cracks in the surface coating, a fracture to the boards main plank or a worn/slippery runway you may need more than bolts to make your diving board safe.
How to fix a squeaking scuba diving board?
All it requires is a standard caulking gun to reapply the rubber channels to the board. If you hear your board squeaking when a diver bounces or tries to move the fulcrum, it is a good time to pull out the oil can.
What should I do with my Duraflex board?
For Duraflex boards (the standard competitive diving board), only two bolts attach the board to its stand. If they become loose or rusted, the quality of your spring and the safety of your diving board, will suffer. During the winter months, if a diving board is not in use, take it off its hinges and store it in a dry and safe environment.
How to maintain a diving board in winter?
During the winter months, if a diving board is not in use, take it off its hinges and store it in a dry and safe environment. Cold weather, sleet, and snow will degrade your investment. Placing it in a dry environment will eliminate this problem. In order to keep these working properly, check them frequently. Make sure they are tight.
Can you repair a cracked diving board?
Can a fiberglass diving board be repaired? When the fiberglass has cracked or delaminated, it can cause the wooden interior of the board to rot. The damage is irreversible. It is best to replace the board.
Can you refurbish a diving board?
If the diving board is slippery, take it out of service immediately and contact a Duraflex dealer for refinishing. Charges for Refinishing include a Board bolt kit & new Rubber Channels. If the board has a non-factory coating on it, we may be unable to remove that coating.
How do you replace a diving board base?
1:222:48S.R.Smith Diving Board Stand Replacement featuring TrueTreadYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCarefully turn the base over using the cardboard to prevent scraping the base or springs. Then placeMoreCarefully turn the base over using the cardboard to prevent scraping the base or springs. Then place it on the existing jig so that the bolts fit into the mounting.
How do you take apart a diving board?
0:081:40Inground Diving Board Removal Tutorial - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd I'm gonna start loosening the bolts with this pair of channellocks. Alright so there we go aMoreAnd I'm gonna start loosening the bolts with this pair of channellocks. Alright so there we go a pair of channel locks and you can see down here there's two bolts. Right.
How long do diving boards last?
about 8 to 10 yearsDiving boards do not last forever. In general, a good board will last about 8 to 10 years before it needs any type of major restoration. But if you don't give the board the respect it deserves — treating it right and protecting it from the elements — your board will age quickly.
What material are diving boards made of?
Springboard materials Modern springboards are made out of a single-piece extrusion of aircraft-grade aluminum. The Maxiflex Model B, the board used in all major competitive diving events, is made out of such aluminum, and is heat treated for a yield strength of 340,000 kPa (49,000 psi).
Can I install my own diving board?
For safety reasons, never attempt to install an above ground pool diving board. Most manufacturers recommend having a professional install your diving board. Even a tiny error can result in potential injuries.
How do you change the bolts on a diving board?
Using the bottom stem of the bolt you can push up until the recessed bolt cap can be gripped for removal. If you cannot remove the bolt by hand, use a tamping tool such a small rubber mallet to loosen its grip.
How far should diving board hang over pool?
The board's position is also a factor. In most cases, a diving board must be installed 10 feet away from all obstructions. These include the side walls of the pool and features like love seats and tanning ledges.
Are diving boards out of style?
If you look back just 10 or 15 years ago in the swimming pool industry, you'll find that roughly 90% of all inground swimming pools had a diving board. But today, the trend has done an almost 180-degree turn. Here at River Pools, we see 5 reasons why diving boards have now practically become extinct.
What is a jig on a diving board?
The front jig bolt is the part of your diving board that connects to the ground and is closest to the pools edge. See diagram below. We proudly provided S.R. Smith and InterFab (now owned by S.R. Smith) diving boards.
What is a jig for a diving board?
The front jig bolt is the part of your diving board that connects to the ground and is closest to the pools edge. See diagram below. We proudly provided S.R. Smith and InterFab (now owned by S.R. Smith) diving boards.
Can you add a diving board to an existing pool?
0:212:56Can I Add A Diving Board To My Pool? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCouldn't can you add one like you can but it's done during a major renovation. And further to thatMoreCouldn't can you add one like you can but it's done during a major renovation. And further to that you have to understand that there's minimum tolerances for things like the depth of the pool.
What type of board is used for a pool?
There are generally two types of boards sold for backyard pools. One is an all-fiberglass style that costs a few hundred dollars. The second has a Douglas Fir laminated core and costs quite a bit more. I repaired a board with the Douglas Fir core for about $150 using WEST SYSTEM® 105 Resin/207 Special Clear Hardener, a single layer of 6 oz. glass, and Z-Spar™ 1015 Captain’s Varnish. The result was a unique board that looks a lot like a stripper canoe and has garnered compliments all summer. Here’s how I did it.
What is the final board?
The final board is a real eye catcher.
Is a backyard pool a joy?
Backyard pools can be a joy. They can also be an expensive, time consuming headache. While I don’t have any ideas about how you might escape the cleaning and chlorination chores, I do have an idea that might save you the cost of replacing that old, weather beaten blue diving board that has faithfully stood a stoic guard over ...
Can you apply too much sand to epoxy?
Sifting or screening the sand removes larger stones and makes the applied sand a uniform size. I made sure to apply the sand in excess—one can’t apply too much since the wet epoxy can only bond to a certain amount. If too little sand is applied it creates a dangerously course texture, much like a 24-grit sandpaper.
How to loosen a diving board hex nut?
Over time your diving board bolts may have become corroded or bonded together. We will want to release this bond by spraying some lubricant like WD-40 to loosen its grip on the bottom hex nut.
How to remove recessed bolt cap?
If you cannot remove the bolt by hand, use a tamping tool such a small rubber mallet to loosen its grip. Repeat the above steps for all the remaining bolts.
Can you mend a diving board if it has a hairline?
Once the bolts are removed we will want to check the diving board holes for any damage. If you notice any hairline fractures you may need to mend the board or replace completely.
What to do if diving board is not in use?
During the winter months, if a diving board is not in use, take it off its hinges and store it in a dry and safe environment. Cold weather, sleet, and snow will degrade your investment. Placing it in a dry environment will eliminate this problem.
How to stop a diving board from squeaking?
If you hear your board squeaking when a diver bounces or tries to move the fulcrum, it is a good time to pull out the oil can. Squirt some lubricant on squeaky hinges and rough cylinders of the fulcrum to increase your board’s lifespan. This is an easy fix that will likely need to happen frequently. Keep a can of oil handy and use it generously. Oil will save you a lot of time and headaches as well as help you get the most out of your investment.
Why is it important to check the underside of a diving board?
It is important to check the underside of the board periodically to make sure the rubber isn't bunching or deteriorating. If your diver complains that the fulcrum is getting stuck, or if the board sounds funny when bouncing on it, inspect this area.
How many bolts do you need to attach a Duraflex board to a stand?
For Duraflex boards (the standard competitive diving board), only two bolts attach the board to its stand. If they become loose or rusted, the quality of your spring and the safety of your diving board, will suffer.
What to do if your board is loud?
Boards that sound loud when bounced on are ones that need attention. Keep a wrench handy and tighten any loose bolts as soon as you notice a problem. Also check the bolts frequently for rust. If you notice rust building up, replace them immediately.
How long does a diving board last?
How to Properly Maintain a Diving Board. Diving boards do not last forever. In general, a good board will last about 8 to 10 years before it needs any type of major restoration. But if you don't give the board the respect it deserves — treating it right and protecting it from the elements — your board will age quickly.
How to clean a board?
Daily: Hose your board off daily with fresh water. Monthly: Scrub your board with any type of soft bristle scrub brush and warm soapy water. You can also use detergent or chlorine if you feel it is necessary. These cleanings really don't take long, and the small effort will extend the lifespan of your board tremendously.
