J-channel holding liner in corner broke off, liner is sagging

[TRHOD12]

The channel that holds the liner in place in the corner of my pool broke off. I can feel chunks of concrete like material between the liner and the steel wall of the pool. The liner is holding in position on the straight J channel pieces, but the liner is sagging in the corner where there is no longer a channel.

Is this something that I can fix, or do I need to call in pool company to fix this??

Thanks for any ideas.

Blessings,

[waste]

Hey Ted!

I've never seen the "J" hook on an IG pool but wanted to respond.

You've got to get the broken crete out from behind the liner as the FIRST step!

If you can post a pic of the channel (or PM me one, if you can't post pics), I may be able to figure out a 'band aide' for it, otherwise, look for a competent and reliable 'pool dude' in your area.

[TRHOD12]

Thanks for the response.

I closed the pool last year like this, it is still under the winter cover, and since we just got 3" snow yesterday, its gonna be for a little while longer.

I will try and peel back the cover and get some pix for you.

[Poconos]

I have a feeling this is exactly the same problem that developed with my pool a couple years ago. That plastic piece the liner hooks on to broke at the curve in the deep end where two of them came together. Not one continuous piece. I attribute mine to the age of the pool, about 35 years. Still not sure what to do about it. Only let go for about 6" and what is there seems to be holding. I also didn't get anything behind the liner. I'll be curious what we find out. My pool is pretty well beat.
Al

[TRHOD12]

I have a feeling this is exactly the same problem that developed with my pool a couple years ago. That plastic piece the liner hooks on to broke at the curve in the deep end where two of them came together. Not one continuous piece. I attribute mine to the age of the pool, about 35 years. Still not sure what to do about it. Only let go for about 6" and what is there seems to be holding. I also didn't get anything behind the liner. I'll be curious what we find out. My pool is pretty well beat.
Al

Al,
Sounds like we are in the same boat. My pool might have a little more age that yours, as it was installed in the late 70's. I'll try and get out this weekend and brush the snow off (lol) and get some pictures posted.

What have you done w/ yours in the meantime???? Mine is sagging in the entire corner and am not real excited about water getting between the liner and the steel walls of the pool.

[getittogether]

Happened to my last pool and we bought new trim lock that foced the liner back into the channel sold at local pool store if I recall we had to heat the liner area to pull it enough back to get the extra length to get it into the channel. Then it pulled back out and eventually the liner tore in that corner and had to be replaced. Seemed like there was pulling to the area maybe caused by a small leak in the liner somewhere was what the 1 guy had said.

[Poconos]

GetItTogether....that's not the issue here. the actual plastic the liner hooks onto broke from the wall or coping or whatever it is called. The liner has nothing solid to hook onto. Mine is only broken for about 6-8" or so and doesn't seem to be progressing. My ground is so wet I really don't care about water behind the liner as it will just leave somehow. I had a pretty good leak at that end a few years ago and all the water found a channel to escape. But I did dry off the vinyl and used duct tape to cover the hole so if the water level managed to get that high it wouldn't drain behind the liner. Looks like crap but hey, so does the pool. Mine was built around 1975 I think and it's a Foxxx. If the liner goes, it is around 13 years at this point, then I have two choices. New pool or a demolition and fill job but before that decision I'll pull the liner and see what condition the steel walls are in.
Al

[TRHOD12]

Sorry it took so long to get back with you all, since the snow has cleared we have been having showers and T-storms that would make Noah glad he had an ark.

I got some pictures, but I can't get them to post on here, and I can't seem to get hooked up with a PM function to send them to anyone. I used to be able to, but can't figure out this new forum format.

I'm gonna save them in an email, if someone who could post them send me an email to (edited by Watermom to remove the email address) so you can help me post them. I would appriciate it

[Watermom]

When the forum software was updated, we lost the PM feature for now. It may be fixed later, but is just not a priority right now. It is usually best not put your email address on a forum. Harvesters are always on the look-out for email addresses and then they flood your inbox with spam. I am going to edit your post and remove your email address and then send it to Ben. He can help you with the pictures.

[PoolDoc]

Email them, and the link to the thread, to me:

poolforum AT gmail DOT com

Ben

[TRHOD12]

Email them, and the link to the thread, to me:

poolforum AT gmail DOT com

Ben

Thanks, Ben. I sent you an email w/ pictures and the link.

Blessings,

[PoolDoc]

Corner pictures:
-channel holding liner in corner broke off

picture #1
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_b1WG52wPqbY/TcE-dZSij7I/AAAAAAAAADQ/WGgEQo7uecg/s800/DSCN1153-ed.jpg

picture #2
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_b1WG52wPqbY/TcE-dUeyMjI/AAAAAAAAADM/KzhLMlxhmyY/s800/DSCN1154-ed.jpg

[waste]

Thank You for the pics!

It doesn't look like J- Hook - which is a good thing. :cool:

If I'm right, you may be able to install a small piece of 'side mount' flexible receiver to reattach the pulled out liner in that corner.

There are some caveats in the process which I'll be happy to tell you.

[TRHOD12]

Thank You for the pics!

It doesn't look like J- Hook - which is a good thing. :cool:

If I'm right, you may be able to install a small piece of 'side mount' flexible receiver to reattach the pulled out liner in that corner.

There are some caveats in the process which I'll be happy to tell you.

Ok Ted, educate me. I have NO idea what to do or where to start, so the more info you have for me the better. I'm not sure what the "side mount flexible reciever" is you are talking about, so fill me in with any and all thoughts you might have

[waste]

I'm sorry I don't know the part #s involved :(

There is a receiver that side mounts with ~ 1/2" below the 'receiver track' to to screw it in.

You ABSOLUTELY! have to keep debris from falling behind the liner - as you screw the new receiver on!!!!!!!!!

Maybe others here can help you find the liner receiver (I am out of the industry, but might be able to call on one of my friends)

[TRHOD12]

Ok, well that gives me an idea. I'll check w/ the local pools store to see if they have this. Does this screw into the steel wall???

[waste]

You betcha! We always used 5/16 hex head, 3/4" long "tech" screws (they self tap through a metal sheet).

Make sure whatever you find will work on your (looks like) 6" radius corner. If all you can find is for straight walls, I might be able to help you with ideas on how to make it work. Good luck in your searching!

[TRHOD12]

Thanks Ted,

I'm gonna look for the materials to fix this. I probably will wait a little bit to do the fix. I want to wait till the liner warms up a little bit before I try and stretch it back into place.

I will follow up w/ my repair as I get it done.

Thanks for your time and help on this one.

Blessings,

[waste]

Hey, time and effort to help the members here is no problem:)

The folks in your area who might best be able to help you are guys who lay cantilever, concrete pool decks - they'd certainly know the track I'm talking about and probably would just give you a 1' scrap - or charge you very little, for it.

Good luck with your search! Let me know if you need any more assistance with this fix.