HELP PLEASE...I am going insane lol

[gcpint]

I have been trying to install a 18ft x 48" pool over the last few weeks, needless to say nothing but problems...first I dug it out 6 inches (my father had done this with a pool without problems) then when I put the liner in it seemed way to tight on the sides (was perfect on the front and and back) so I thought maybe my measurements were out, checked them but were fine, then I started thinking that with it being dug out that there was not enough liner to cover the circum of the bottom, so I took it all down and replaced the bottom to make it somewhat level again, in the meantime we had a huge windstorm which collapsed the pool....anyway I got it all back up and put the liner in and still I am short on the sides...I measured the seam that is supposed to go half way up the cove and found it was 17ft on sides and 17ft 11 inches on front and back of the pool so the seam on the sides doesnt go up the cove but front and back they do...anyway I called the place I bought the pool from and they said this can be normal and to continue filling I have stretched it as much as I can along the bottom but the sides still are really tight (If I try and push up against the wall seems as tho the walls on other side want to buckle) I have done some reading and some claims have been made that the liner will stretch, I am just scared that this is to much to ask to stretch...Anyone able to shed some light on what I am going through?
Thanks in Advance!

[hrsdennis]

Hi, it's tough to give to much advice without more details and photos. On a sunny day at around noon a liner should either stretch or pull out at the top before it would buckle the walls.

It is very odd for a round liner to not have a round base. If I bought it new I know I would return it because it is not right.

Best of luck, Dennis

[gcpint]

Well when I called the place I bought it from they said it would stretch but of course I could only explain what was happening over the phone, unfort I bought the pool out of town and would be kinda hard just to take it back, I guess I was just hoping someone would tell me it was ok and keep filling it lol

[hrsdennis]

It will not hurt you any to try. Just do it in direct sunlight. It should work OK for you.

Dennis

[gcpint]

OH OH still filling it, seems as tho I am starting to run out of liner on the sides lol....I am about reading to beat the crap out of this thing and say SCREW IT. The water is on the wall now maybe it will not pull down much more ? AARG I feel as tho this was just not meant to be!!!

[gcpint]

quick note to say the liner is still about 3 inches from touching the wall about half way up and only got a couple inches overlap on the top...man if this doesnt work after putting this much water in I am going to Freak lol
Will it still pull from the top while pushing the liner against wall on the way up ?
Any comments would be appreciated!!!

[hrsdennis]

Been out working all day, what happened?

With the pool half full and two inches hanging over, in direct sunlight, I would guess you made it. If not I do have one more thing you could try before you give up.

Hope you have a wet weekend, Dennis

[gcpint]

No I have just made it too about 6 inches over the cove on the wall...what idea do you have? I started with about 6 inches hanging over and at 1 point the liner came off, I have put it back on with about 2 inches overlap but I cant see it making it to the top with only 2 inches give. Any Ideas would be helpful Took the night off and took the wife out for dinner and a movie, hopefully a night off not thinking about this will make me feel better tomorrow lol

[hrsdennis]

Hi, I misunderstood your water level. Sorry it didn’t work out.

Here’s what I would do. Empty the pool and take the liner down from the sides. Build the complete framework of your pool. Uprights, toprails and decorative caps. Tape any rough edges on the caps. Pull the liner up and over this structure until the center of the liner is off the ground. With high sun start the water filling.

This is how I install just about every liner I do. It is a great way to stretch in a small liner and an excellent way to get the wrinkles out. Using this method I never have to get back in a pool once the sand is smoothed.

As the water fills the liner may fall in on its own or you may need to go around and release it from the caps as it gets tight. When the water get about six inches from the edge you can use cloths pins and attach the liner to the top rail and just let it fill to about a foot from the top. At this point you should have plenty of liner to work with. Take off the tops a few at a time and set the liner.

If the liner is usable this method will get it in. Best of luck, Dennis

[gcpint]

Well I think we are good to go...I have been watching and the liner does not seem to be pulling down anymore...I have the pool about 1/3 full and the liner is still away from the wall but doesnt seem to be slipping down anymore, I am assuming that it is just pushing the liner against the wall and stretching, I decided to put the uprights and rails on and pray it doesnt move anymore. THANKS for all the advise Dennis!!!! Keeping fingers crossed but looks like I made it! lol Thanks Again!
Glenn
PS If I knew about the other method I would have tryed it but because I am on a well and I had that much already in the pool, I decided it would be best to keep going and see what would happen, but I think that your method would have been a great idea right from the get go! Thanks Again!!!