installing vinyl liner

[bazman]

i have a 15 x 25 AGP, that is leaking about 1" a day. i tried finding holes (there are many tiny holes) and patching them up. this has not made any real dent on the rate of loss.
i am therefore at the stage where it would seem to make sense to bite the bullet and replace the liner.

the liner itself does not seem to be too expensive, but i have been quoted in the neighbourhood of $1,000 to have the liner professionally replaced. my question is how hard would it be to install a new liner,and how time assuming for two men (assuming the pool is empty of water at the time of replacement).

also any tips to ensure a safe and longlasting installation would be great. also, i have a feeling that the holes are a result of some form of bug. is there any special spray i should put down before i install the new liner.

thanks.

[hrsdennis]

Hi, that price seems very high. My charge to install a liner in that size pool is 275.00. It takes all of about two hours.

Give me some details as to the type of pool and type of liner and I could tell you how to do it.

The first thing of course is to remove the old liner with a razor blade on the inside of the pool. This will allow you to examine the wall for rust and the base for bugs, ants or whatever.

The biggest cause of holes in a vinyl liner are the cleaner that is being used.

I would cut a small opening at the top of the liner and go inside and under the liner. By going under the liner you can see every hole and get a good idea why they are there.

A hand vacuum will leave hundreds of holes around the outer edge of the pool bottom. At about the top of the cove level. An automatic pool cleaner will leave pinholes in the area it tends to get hung up and spend the most time.

You can learn a lot from the under side of a liner.

Post back pool details and/or photos and someone here can walk you through the install process.

Later, Dennis

[pool newby]

HRSDENNIS,

Not to hijack this thread, but the thought of numerous pinholes in my liner from my automatic vacuum terrifies me. I have the Kontiki II from barracuda/zodiac, which is similiar to the Ranger model. I always monitor it, because it has the occasional tendency to get hung up on the stairs. It doesn;t seem to have a tremendous amount of suction, and only has the rubber disc that stirs up the debris. I distinctly asked the pool store if this vacuum would damage my liner, and it was recommended for above ground pools. Are you telling me that I have something else to worry about now ? or do the pinholes come from any particular type automatic cleaner, like the robotic ones?

thanks

[hrsdennis]

I did not mean to start any kind of panic. I love automatic pool cleaners.

We had a local pool company years back that told their customers to leave the cleaner in the pool at all times. Between the cleaner and the chlorinator they advertised a maintanance free pool. I spent a lot of time under liners finding holes for the next few years.

Use the cleaner to clean the pool and then take it out. My cleaner is not the best trained. I use it when I am doing yard work or floating on an air mattress.

Just use some good judgment and you will be fine.

Dennis

[bazman]

i have decided to carry on regardless for the next month and a half filling the pool and to get the best out of our short summers.
when i do decide to change (which i think i will do myself) i will ask for any all tips available here. first question: does the fall or spring make more sense? i would think the spring: clean water etc...
in the meantime the cause of my leaks is very important, for the next time around. everything you suggest regarding the vacuum being the root cause makes sense. the only thing that flies in the face of that logic is that to my recollection, anytime i came out to find the vacuum stuck, it was a different end of the pool as to where i find the pinholes.
however, when i do change the pool, i will make sure to be on point when the vacuum is running. i wil aslo use the little vent pipe that lessens the power of the vacuum.
thanks. for the tips.

[hrsdennis]

I do agree, spring is best. That will save you some money in winter upkeep. You can basicaly let the pool drain itself over the winter without having to worry about keeping the water clean. You will, of course, want to keep enough water in the pool to keep it stable and safe from strong winds. Your judgement is best there.

Good luck with the new liner and I hope you can find the cause of the holes.

Dennis

[Poconos]

Dennis,
I'm confused about your comment in post #2 about a hand vacuum causing holes. I can understand if the liner is really old and very brittle and/or the vacuum has rough or sharp edges, or really agressive brushing, but with a good vacuum head, how else can you get holes? With robotic cleaners I can understand pebbles or something similar getting caught under the tread or track and punching holes.
Al

[hrsdennis]

Good point Al. I should have gone into a little more depth on the hand vacuum. These holes are only found at the top of the cove. They are caused by letting the wall guide the vac head around the bottom of the pool. It is the edge of the vac head bumping the wall of the pool that causes the holes. The cure is simple. Don't vacuum all the way to the edge of the pool. Stay about 6" from the wall and you will never have these pesty little holes and wet spots around your pool.

Dennis