Top Liner Problems: To Patch or To Replace?
Whether you are thinking about purchasing a swimming pool with a vinyl liner, or maybe you already have one, you have most likely heard at one time or another that the liner will eventually need to be replaced. We are here to educate you on the brutal facts about owning a vinyl liner swimming pool and the top liner problems so that you feel confident in your decisions moving forward.
First we will go through some of the most common problems that we see with vinyl liners so that you feel comfortable deciding whether or not it’s time for your liner to be replaced.
On average, we typically recommend replacing your vinyl liner every seven to nine years. This can be due to several reasons:
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Fading or Wrinkling
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Dry-Rot
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A Hole or Tear
Fading or Wrinkling
One of the first and most common reasons why you would want to change your liner is due to appearance! Fading and wrinkling are very unsightly and can make the pool look older than it actually is.
Fading of a pool liner can be caused by chemical abuse, consistent exposure to the sun, or just old age. The ink will eventually separate from the vinyl and disappear over time. Wrinkling can also be caused by chemical abuse or from ground water floating the liner. Either way, both of these situations are inevitable and will happen at some point.
Once fading or wrinkling starts, you should consider replacing the liner but it really isn’t a necessity to replace it immediately.
Dry-Rot
Damage to a pool liner could be attributed to various factors such as exposure to the sun, harsh weather conditions and chemical imbalances. The liner is susceptible to becoming brittle, leading to cracks or tears. While this issue typically arises in liners over 10 years old, it could occur sooner if the pool chemicals are not properly balanced or if the pool remains without water for extended periods. Additionally, dry rot may develop, causing the pool liner to crack or tear, particularly if the liner has shifted from its coping and an attempt is made to forcibly reposition it.
A Hole or Tear
Anyone contemplating a vinyl liner pool or currently owning one has likely encountered discussions or firsthand experiences of dealing with slices or holes, which is one of the most prevalent reasons for contemplating a replacement.
Without diving into an extensive discussion, our primary recommendations for addressing a slice or hole are to ensure that dogs and sharp objects are kept away from the pool at all times.
If you step outside and observe that your pool water has drained and reached a standstill at a specific level, it’s an indication of a potential leak. Unfortunately, liners could develop holes over time, either through wear and tear or accidental punctures from activities like swimming or cleaning. To rule out cracks in the pool lines, a standard practice is to conduct a pressure test. Additionally, a dye test is performed at each wall fitting, including the skimmer, returns, and main drain, as well as any lights if applicable, to identify the source of the leak.
Small holes could often be patched, eliminating the need for a full liner replacement. However, if the pool liner is aging or persistent and water loss occurs, replacing the liner becomes a necessary step.
When confronted with a slice or hole, the decision to replace the liner immediately depends to some extent on factors such as the size of the damage. Patching the liner might be a viable option for smaller holes or slices, allowing for consideration before opting for a complete replacement.
Things to Consider If You Want to Patch Your Liner
Applying a patch is generally effective for tears ranging from two to eight inches, depending on the tear’s location and the liner’s age.
For instance, if a tear is on the pool wall and your liner is only two to three years old, patching it may be sufficient. However, as the liner approaches the end of its four to nine year lifespan, you might want to explore alternative solutions.
Considering the possibility of multiple tears or an aging liner, opting for a replacement liner becomes a viable option. While acknowledging that this is the worst-case scenario, it’s a realistic situation that should be considered.
Make Sure It is Not Evaporation
Below are some steps to finding out if you have a leak in your pool.
The first step is to confirm the existence of a leak and you can do this by performing the bucket test! The bucket test is one of the best ways to confirm that there is a leak in any pool at home before calling a pool professional! These are the steps that you should follow if you try this method:
- Fill a bucket with water and place it in the steps of your pool (make sure the water level in the bucket is even with the water level of the pool)
- Mark the water level on the bucket
- Turn off the pump for 24 hours
- After 24 hours, check the water level of the pool compared to the water level in the bucket
- If the water level in the bucket is higher than that of the pool, there is a leak
- If the water level in the bucket and that of the pool are even or almost even, there is no leak
If you confirm that there is a leak, but still can not find a slice or hole then we would recommend you find a pool diver to find it.
Helpful Tips to Prolong the Life of Your Liner
Sometimes these unwanted issues are unable to be prevented, but here are some helpful tips to protect your liner against fading or wrinkling:
Maintain your pool chemicals according to these levels:
- Free Chlorine: Between 1.0 ppm and 3.0 ppm
- pH: Between 7.2 ppm and 7.8 ppm
- Alkalinity: 80 ppm and 120 ppm
- Calcium Hardness: 250 ppm and 500 ppm
How to Locate a Leak in Your Pool With Dye
One of the best ways to locate a leak when you can’t see the hole is to use a dye tester kit! You can do this by using the dye method, which requires a specific type of dye that holds together underwater. The dye we recommend is a pre-filled dye tester created by Anderson Manufacturing Company.
Here are the steps to use for this method:
- Identify any spots in the liner that feel abnormally squishy
- Apply dye in these areas
- The dye will get sucked into the liner if there is a tear
*NOTE* – It is common to see a loss of water within in-ground pools. Many times evaporation is to blame, so you shouldn’t panic if this arises. However, we do encourage you to try these methods if you suspect something is abnormal.
If you dye test your pool and still can’t locate a tear or a hole, again we would recommend you contact a pool diver. The pool diver can sweep your entire pool to help locate any tears. If the professional diver can’t find a leak then iit may be time to check the plumbing, but that’s a conversation for another article!
Additonal articles to learn more:
Pros and Cons of Vinyl Liner Swimming Pools
Common Problems With Vinyl Liner Pools And Their Solutions
What Are The Top 5 Problems With Vinyl Liner Swimming Pools?