How to fix some common vinyl liner problems in your pool.

During the construction of a pool the hole that is dug is slightly larger than the pool and the dirt that is backfilled is not as compact as the undisturbed soil around it. This can create a "bowl" which holds water for a while before the water is absorbed into the sorrounding soil. When the level of this groundwater outside the liner comes up to or is higher than the water in the pool, the liner is now "floating". As this water absorbes into the soil, the liner is again pressed against the pool structure but not always like it was originally. The result? Wrinkles. Often we have found that this groundwater is coming from the landscaping directing rain/snow runoff water under the pool deck and into the area around the pool. It is important that this be corrected by directing all runoff water away from the pool area. (Have you checked to see where your gutter downspouts direct the water?)

If you have just removed the cover to your pool - and have not filled it up with water - and have found that the liner is "floating", now is a good time to prevent wrinkles from forming. As you are adding water to the pool you will be able to move the liner around to position it as it should be as it begins to sit back against the walls and floor. You can do this using your pole with the pool brush on the end or by padding the end of the pole with a rag. Do not push so hard that you poke a hole in your liner. You will need to "babysit" the filling process untill the liner is firmly seated.

What if your pool is full and there are wrinkles in the liner? If there are only a few small wrinkles, you may be able to remove these by using a toilet plunger. By plunging around the wrinkle you can spead out the liner in that area thereby removing the wrinkle. Do not plunge directly on the wrinkle but rather just above, below, or to the side.

If the pool is full and there are too many wrinkles to plunge out or the wrinkles are so large as to be folded over we would strongly recommend calling in your local pool service professional. When the liner has folded over, it will most likely require draining the pool and resetting the liner to correct. Anytime you drain a pool, there is the possiblity of structual damage taking place. This is not the time to scrimp. You could lose the whole pool.

Now how about that bead at the top of the liner that keeps coming out. You may have already discovered the "popsicle stick trick". Simply wedge a popsicle stick into the track to prevent the liner from coming out. The pros are now using "liner bead wedge" a rubbery serrated strip which is knocked into the track to prevent the bead from coming out. It is flexible enough to come in a roll and can be cut to any length needed and does not deteriorate like the popsicle sticks do!

What if you can't pull the liner up to get it into the track? Heating the liner with a hair dryer will generally give it enough flexability to strech to the track. WARNING:ELECTRICITY AND WATER DO NOT MIX! DO NOT TOUCH THE WATER OR ALLOW THE DRYER TO TOUCH THE WATER! Also be carefull not to get the dryer too close to the liner as it can melt. Hold the dryer 12 to 18 inches away from the liner, waving it back and forth so as to heat a large area of the liner, thereby giving it lots of streach. After you have gotten the bead back into the track, it would be a good time to install some liner bead wedge so it doesn't happen again.