Time to replace my liner?

[mdenegre]

I have a 24' AG, 9 or 10 years old. I have two holes in the liner. The pool is almost drained and I am wondering if it would be wiser to replace the entire liner or just patch the holes? The liner is faded but not terribly. It still feels soft and supple. The patch should be fairly easy to do. I have a very deep and strong well so filling it is not a problem or a cost to me.

My question is what is the life expectancy of a liner? Is 10 years pushing it? I don't want to repair and fill it just for a year of aggravation in 2011.

Also, if I do decide to replace it, is it ok to leave the pool empty until the spring and replace it then?

[aylad]

Hi, and welcome to the forum!!

We have some folks who install liners that post here and I'm sure one of them will be along shortly, but I can tell you that 10 years is about the average lifespan for a liner, depending on how consistent you are about keeping your water levels balanced. I recently replaced mine after 8 seasons. I know that if you leave the pool empty until spring with the existing liner, the liners tend to shrink and probably won't be useable next year. However, if you patch the holes and refill it, maybe you could get another year out of it, I just don't know.

I know that's not a lot of help, but I don't have to deal with freezing issues and pool closings like you do (I'm in Louisiana). However, for what it's worth, if you normally keep water in the pool for the winter, I would try to patch the holes and get another year's worth out of the liner--no need to replace it until you absolutely have to!!

Janet

[waste]

Hey there, welcome back to the new forum!

Janet gave you a good idea of your options

10 years is a good life for a liner (with a little more diligence, 15+ is Very possible )

As you already plan to replace the liner, if I read this correctly (?), I'd leave the existing liner in place for the winter (to help protect the walls and bottom, though the bottom will probably need to be 'reworked' before the new liner is dropped anyway )

If you can easily patch the leak now, I'd do that - it will provide more protection to the wall and floor - if not, it shouldn't be too much extra work to get everything right for a new liner.

If you're close enough, I'd be happy to drop by and help you with re-troweling the bottom and dropping the new liner I'd guess you're not in S Maine, so either ask us questions about DIY or find a reputable pool company to do the work!!

[mdenegre]

I wasn't sure whether or not I was going to replace it, but i was in it this morning to clean out the last few leaves to look for other leaks. I found the holes in the liner. Beneath them, quite a bit of sand has washed away and the area around the hole did not seem to have the same suppleness as the walls of the liner. So I think I will replace it. That, naturally, leads to more questions.

The pool is a Cantar with a liner that locks into a channel that attaches to the top rim of the pool sides. Am I required to use the same type of liner? Can I use the type that folds over the edge?

I want to resurface the base that was originally installed, there are numerous rock that have worked their way to the surface. I have seen foam pads for the bottom. Has anyone used them? Would you recommend them? Should I take out the liner now if I do not plan on replacing it until I re open the pool in the spring?

[mdenegre]

Waste,

Thanks for the help offer. I am in Northwest Ct though, about 4 hours from S Maine, however if you are in the area...... Haaha