4 Signs Your Pool Needs a New Liner

1. Cracking and Tearing

Vinyl liners will deteriorate over time, due to exposure to pool chemicals and the sun’s UV rays. Inspect your liner regularly for cracking or tears, which can be symptomatic of bigger problems (like water leakage). If you find cracks, be sure to keep an eye on the water level for one to two weeks. If the water level drops by more than one inch, you’re likely dealing with one or more leaks.

It’s important to have a pool service expert examine your pool’s liner as quickly as possible.  Patching it might be possible, though that depends on its age. As vinyl ages it becomes brittle, which means a patch will no longer bond to it.  Click here to learn about our service department. 

2. Fading and Staining

Your liner will fade naturally over time as it ages and is exposed to chemicals and UV rays. You’ll want to monitor significant rust stains or algae buildups, however, as they can be difficult (if not impossible) to remove.

Another common issue is aesthetics. As liners fade, so too do their patterns. Homeowners looking to replace their pool’s liners are often looking to both brighten up their pool and update its design.

3. Wrinkling, Slipping, and Stretching

Over time, vinyl liners will lose some of their plasticity and elasticity. You might notice your liner beads in several areas or slips out of the track, symptoms that it’s stretching too much. You should also keep your eye out for loose fittings around your pool’s return jets and skimmer.

It’s best not to try to “squeeze” more life out of your pool’s liner. This can damage your pool and necessitate additional, costly repairs.

4. Leaking

If you can find the leak, you might be able to patch it and get a few more seasons out of your liner. If you can’t find it, however, you’ll need to replace your pool’s liner. Failing to do so can cause seeping water to corrode your pool’s walls and wash away the sand beneath, creating dangerous sink holes. 

Click here to learn about our service department. 

What is the Process for Replacing My Liner?

Once you have determined it’s time to replace your liner, you need to take care to ensure you choose a qualified pool services company to perform the replacement.

Make sure you ask questions including:

How long has the company been replacing liners? We have seasoned liner installers that have been in the industry for 20 years.  Their expert knowledge on how to measure and install are critical when replacing the liner.

Do they use sub-contractors?  We have our own crew. 

Are they members of any professional organizations?  We are members of several organizations in the swimming Pool industry.  United Aqua Group, PHTA  and the Elite Pool Group. 

Are their liners American made?  We use Latham and GLI pool liners, both are american made.

It’s also important to secure an estimate  to help you compare offers.

After choosing a reputable company, you need to choose a liner pattern. Don’t hesitate to ask for advice from your installer to help you choose between the variety of designs. 

After selecting a pattern, the installer will take additional measurements to ensure the perfect fit for your pool. Your liner should have some stretch, but not too much. The installer will also note any irregularities at this point.

To prepare the pool surface for its new liner, the installer will cut holes for the stairs, jets, and skimmer. Once the installation is complete, make sure you have your water tested and balanced.