what gauge of liner and how to stop ants

[leena]

So ive been complaining about a leak for the last 3 years or more. I finally discovered it was tiny holes in the bottom egde of pool. Where the bottom and walls meet. Im assuming it is ants as there are dozens of pin holes. I sprayed around the pool all last summer and spent alot of hours putting patches on them underwater. It slowed my water leak and I used the pool. Then by summers end, the holes were back and it was leaking again so i just stopped filling it up and left it all winter. Here it is warm weather slowly coming and I need to deal with it.

1.I need to order a new liner. What gauge should I get? Its an above ground 24' pool, 52" tall.

2.How do I treat to keep the ants from doing this to the new liner? Well I havent pulled the old liner yet to determine, I m just assuming ants..........

3.After I pull up the old liner and get the problem fixed, can I reinstall the old liner before putting in the new one to help provide "cushion" or a layer of protection between the liner and pool/ground.

BTW, the new pump/filter was awesome last year!

[FormerBromineUser]

I don't have an above ground pool, but I would recommend the heavier gauge liner.

From what I have read, when the ground is exposed, use a "queen killing" insecticide. Then a plastic tarp layer or two, followed by regular insulation foam board secured with gorilla tape, and a top layer of "gorilla pad" seems to have worked well for others with any issues.

Good luck! I loathe ants!

[leena]

thanks, what is a gorilla pad?

[FormerBromineUser]

Google gorilla pad.
Here is one link for you:
http://www.inyopools.com/Products/00100023003182.htm

[swimdaddy]

How old is your pool liner? Sounds like a faulty liner and not ants, although I am not an ant expert (is there such a thing?). Where the liner meets the wall, is there a sharp curve with a flat bottom? If there is and your liner is old, it might be desiccating at the point of the sharpest curve, like the outside of an old tire. If the liner is new, I think the warranty should cover a replacement.

My father-in-law has an above ground pool and had problems with cheat grass puncturing his liner, so he put down the exact system FBU mentioned, and it works great. His liner has lasted longer than any previous one.

[FormerBromineUser]

Good catch, SD! Along the edges does seem suspect.