Most swimming pools have padding for protection. Liners extend the life of your pool by protecting walls and floors from damage and mold. They are made of durable components such as vinyl or other synthetic materials. Install during construction, using waterproof adhesive.
Above-ground pools use overlapping or beaded liners. Overlapping pads cover inches beyond the top of the wall, while beaded pads use pad locks that snap into the track. In-ground pools also have beaded vinyl linings, but overlapping is not available. Most above-ground applications are simple as the shape is usually oval or round. In ground pools, the shapes vary and may be more complex. In-ground pool wall installation can be expensive and challenging and should be done by a licensed pool contractor.
At some point, due to wear, the lining needs to be replaced. Licensed pool professionals specialize in installing replacement pool liner kits, especially in above-ground pools. However, whether it’s an above-ground or in-ground pool, you can easily install a replacement pool liner. Here’s a step-by-step process that may be useful for do-it-yourself homeowners.
First, you’ll need tools and materials, including trowel, sand, liner locks, and tape. In some cases, coping straps are used instead of padlocks.
To remove the old liner, you will need to drain the pool. The top rail can be removed by unscrewing the bolts and screws. The next step is to remove the liner locks or coping straps before pulling out the old liner.
The sand is sifted to make sure there are no rocks, and the sand is smoothed and leveled with a trowel. Sand should prevent grass or weeds from growing. The walls of the pool should also be checked to make sure the entire surface is smooth. If necessary, walls can be sanded, cleaned and painted to prevent rust. Duct tape can be used to cover severe damage from rusted or irreparable surfaces.
When you cover the area with a replacement pool liner, allow some slack, as the replacement pool liner will stretch when the water fills up. For overlapping replacement pool liners, there should always be excess coverage at the top of the wall. Once the replacement pool liner is in place, a coping strap or lock is placed. Just make sure the replacement pool liner is smooth and straight. Once the replacement pool liner is in place, you can start filling.
Make sure the edges or tops of the walls are secure and that the replacement pool liner does not slip or slide out of place. At this point, it’s easier to smooth out wrinkles when the water level is shallow, ideally less than a foot deep. When the water fills the pool, you can start cutting holes for your accessories, such as the inlet and outlet of the filter pump. While the water continues to fill the pool, a filter plate can be installed.
Most skilled do-it-yourself homeowners can install replacement pool liners. When in doubt, a licensed pool professional can do the job for you.