Vinyl Liner Info

Vinyl Liners

The swimming pools built by Taylor Made consist of a concrete base and a vinyl liner. These pools are typically much more cost effective than concrete, tiled or Zonolite pools, and maintenance and cleaning is easier.

A vinyl liner pool has a custom coat of vinyl that rests between the water and the pool structure. Vinyl liners typically lock their top edge into a track located on the bottom of the coping.

Underneath the liner is a sand or cementitious floor, which is specified in dimension to the exact "cut" of the liner that is to be used. These floors will rise up to meet the walls and form the structure of the pool.

These walls are commonly 3 ft by 8 ft panels made of galvanized steel or thermoplastic. They are supported from behind so that they will not bow out against the weight of the water. All of the wall panels are secured together to make up the perimeter shape of the pool. As a result, there are limitations to the possible dimensions of a vinyl liner pool.

There Are Now More Options Than Ever

Choosing between vinyl liners now presents more options than ever before. The cost of the liner will depend on its shape, size, thickness, and pattern choice.

Common Vinyl Liner Repair Issues

Is Your Liner Losing Its Color?

All liners fade over time, so this is not something of particular concern. This is due to all of the sanitizing chemicals and the harsh effects of the sun. To lessen vinyl damage, minimize the use of harsh chemicals and high concentrations. These products leach out the plastics' elasticity which give liners their resiliency, leading to brittle vinyl, which in turn can lead to leaking.

Thankfully, the chemical structure of modern vinyl allows manufacturers to create much more durable liners. The latest vinyl liners are also more resistant to the effects of harmful chemical and solar rays. Plus, algae problems are practically non-existent.

Is Your Liner Bead Coming Out of the Track?

All liners are designed with precision to fit tightly into the exact shape of the pool. If the vinyl liner was installed slightly off center, or if the liner is too large or too small for the pool's shape, there is a chance that the bead popping is out of the track.

This can be corrected with the use of a heat gun or blow dryer and a lot of elbow grease. By applying enough force, the liner can be stretched and locked back into the track. Another option is boiling hot water works. This solution can work well when you need to stretch a liner. For more serious problems, using a liner lock can help in keeping the bead in the track.

However, it is best to consult a professional for this problem, to avoid damaging the liner.

Is Your Vinyl Liner Leaking?

This is a common problem for vinyl liners after several years in service. Pools that have been regularly maintained and covered tend to last much longer. But it is still possible that leaks occur over time.

For newer pools, although vinyl liner is resistant to punctures, they can happen. Especially as the liner ages and begins to lose its resiliency. If you are fortunate enough to spot a small hole in the liner, you can patch it with a vinyl liner patch kit. If the leak is occurring underwater, buy a "wet" patch kit.

A few ways to check for a leak is to ask yourself these questions: Is your water level going down more quickly than before? Are adding more than one inch of water to your pool per week discounting splashed-out and backwash wastewater? If the answer is yes to either of these, you probably have a leak.

Do not allow leaks to go unchecked. Leaks can deteriorate supporting back fill that lives behind the walls. It will eventually corrode the walls and may wash away sections of the back fill on the floor, creating large sinkholes. Therefore, if you cannot find the source of the leak, it is best to give us a call.

Is your Pool at Optimal Water Levels?

It is not advised to drain your vinyl liner pool, or to let it leak out below the recommended level of the walls. The water in the pool holds the liner tightly against the walls and floor. If the water is removed, the liner must be reset with a vacuum to suck the liner into place while filling. Otherwise, large wrinkles may appear when re-filling.

Also, when you empty a liner pool, it becomes exposed to rainwater. This can seep in under the walls, washing away and destroying the specifically contoured shape of the structure. There also exists the risk of a wall collapsing or caving in.

If your water levels have been drained it is important to consult a professional for assistance right away.

Is the Vinyl Liner Tight?

If the liner has been drained or leaked out on its own the vinyl needs to be reset ASAP. By using a vacuum, the walls get "sucked back" into place as the device removes the air between the liner and the pool shell (walls/floor). To do this, the vacuum will set in a precise placement and left in the spot until the water level is at a certain level. The vacuum is then removed, and the pool can be filled. Using a vacuum is necessary to ensure proper fit, and it will reduce wrinkles in the vinyl.

Prices will vary on labor and trip costs involved but expect a few hundred dollars when it is all said and done.

What if the Liner Need to be Replaced?

Our liner removing and replacing process takes a full day. During this time, the pool is drained, and the older liner is removed and recycled. We then transition to repair the walls. Joints are taped and irregularities are corrected. If the wall is rough, pitted or corroded, we will recommend foaming the walls to prevent contact with the new liner. This will also provide the pool with a nice soft feel. Lastly, all face plates surrounding the suction and return ports are removed. The tracking is inspected, and if necessary, replaced.

Does Your Pool Need Floor Work?

Floor work is the final step before "dropping" the new liner and sealing it with a vacuum. For the floor work process, the floor is hand troweled to remove any irregularities. Small mineral deposits are removed while we back out of the pool very carefully. If the floor is cement or Zonolite, it is swept and cleaned.

When all the previous steps are complete, the liner is draped across the pool and locked into the track. We then place one or two vacuums, and then set the liner into place, removing wrinkles where possible. Then the main drain and steps are "cut-in". After this, water will then be introduced for filling. The vacuums continue to operate until the water level is at a predetermined point on the wall.

A Taylor Made service member will return the next day to remove the vacuums and lock in the liner at these points. Then the pool will continue to fill. When full, we return again to cut-in the wall face plates. Finally, the filtration system is restarted, and the pool is ready to go.

As your expert pool contractor, Taylor Made Pools can help you with all your vinyl pool liner installation and repair needs in Vancouver Island and all of Sunshine Coast. Simply contact us and we'll be ready to help.