Above ground pool wall problem

[Mdlbarnard]

I have an above ground pool with a deck around it. I drained the pool a couple of weeks ago to repair a leak and clean it. Upon filling it, the top of the walls are folding in in two spots. It seems to be still firmly attached in other areas. My question is, should this be repaired immediately? Will using the pool cause it to get worse? I assume my draining it caused the liner to shift or shrink, which caused this. However, at the bottom there seems to be some give API feel like til fit was drained I could stretch it back into place. Any thoughts?

[Watermom]

Draining a liner pool is usually not a good idea for the very reason you are finding ---- you often can't stretch it back into place. I'm sorry that I can't help you with your repair question. I hope someone will come along who will be able to offer you some advice.

Welcome to the Pool Forum!

[PoolDoc]

I can't offer you much help, but I'll offer what I can.

1. I'm not clear on exactly what is folding in -- metal wall or vinyl liner. I'm also not clear on what is being "firmly attached" to -- the coping?

2. If the metal wall is 'loose' or shifting at the BOTTOM of the wall, that is a serious problem that must be fixed before you refill the pool. Otherwise the pool will 'blow out' at the bottom. Shifting at the bottom could potentially cause leaning in at the top, though not necessarily in the same place as the bottom movement.

[hrsdennis]

A couple of more thoughts. The ability of the liner to stretch depends a lot on the age of the liner and the temp and amount of direct sunlight when refilling. Details here would be helpful.

The wall pulling in is surely due to shrinkage. The only damage occurs when the liner pulls loose from the top and water gets in behind it. If you can see the sidewall from inside the pool you have a problem.

The fix depends on what kind of liner you have, beaded, j-hook, overlap?

Later, Dennis

[Watermom]

Dennis, we appreciate your knowledgeable advice you are sharing! Thanks a bunch!

[PoolDoc]

Thanks for the explanation, Dennis. There's no substitute for experience.

Would tension on the TOP of the wall, due to a shrinking liner ever cause the bottom of the wall to lift out of the track?

[hrsdennis]

No Ben, that would be a different issue entirely. Most of the time that is due to a faulty installation, leveling issues. Occasionally severe freezing can cause this, like the ground under a couple of posts, sitting on blocks, could rise but the rail between posts would not.

Later, Dennis

[PoolDoc]

Thanks for the info!