I was looking at my pool at it looked suspiciously low with the water at the return vale level. I then turned off the pump ans walk arournd the circumference of the 21' above ground pool and saw water gushing out under the sidewall. What now? I was aggressively brushing the pool and must have messed up the liner somewhere. Help!
Oh no, I have a leak!
- Thread starter edgedude
- Start date
wow - water gushing out - sounds like a big leak.
You're in luck - the bigger the leak - the easier to find!
you'll have to look in around that area where the gushing is (from inside the pool) with your goggles on. Should be easy to spot if it's big, then cut a piece of leftover liner about 1" bigger than the hole is around (if it's a 2" cut then make the patch 2"x4") round off the corners of the patch they last longer that way.
put underwater vinyl repair glue such as "boxer glue" on the patch - fold it in half - glue onto itself, the worst are on the floor - dive under (someone standing on your back helps keep you down - make sure they have no grudges against you...) and wipe the area you need to put the patch to make sure it's clean, then spread the patch in place - push it down, work bubbles and glue from the center outwards, push on it for as long as you can, now surface and stand on it for 5 minutes.
Walls are easier.
You're in luck - the bigger the leak - the easier to find!
you'll have to look in around that area where the gushing is (from inside the pool) with your goggles on. Should be easy to spot if it's big, then cut a piece of leftover liner about 1" bigger than the hole is around (if it's a 2" cut then make the patch 2"x4") round off the corners of the patch they last longer that way.
put underwater vinyl repair glue such as "boxer glue" on the patch - fold it in half - glue onto itself, the worst are on the floor - dive under (someone standing on your back helps keep you down - make sure they have no grudges against you...) and wipe the area you need to put the patch to make sure it's clean, then spread the patch in place - push it down, work bubbles and glue from the center outwards, push on it for as long as you can, now surface and stand on it for 5 minutes.
Walls are easier.
Wow, you can patch it wet?! Great, I guess I have to go to Walmart and gt a patch kit, huh?
- Jun 6, 2009
- 22
Yes, I should get a patch kit, too, to be prepared for that day when it comes...
Anyone have a recommendation for a good patch kit? Brand, where to buy?
Thanks...
Anyone have a recommendation for a good patch kit? Brand, where to buy?
Thanks...
Well, it's a 3 inch tear that I tried to patch. It looked like it would hold but the water leaked out. Arghhhh, do you think I can effectively patch it with the pool dry? Or am I forced to buy a new liner? Thanks for your thoughts.
For patching I like using Boxer Glue and pool vinyl. You can get pool vinyl by sacrificing a waterbag.
As I stated (and Xpert as well), Boxer Glue is the way to go - not wally world glue - there's a reason we don't buy wally world stuff.
A 3" gash would need a 5x3" patch with rounded corders, if you have an overlap liner, you can trim some of the excess and use it to patch - sometimes you can even match the pattern. Sacrificing a bag (used for inground pools) is a relatively cheap alternative, asking at the pool store if they have any excess liner material will sometimes yield free results - many times, pool stores will warranty liners, and only have to send the rip in for warranty purposes, leaving them with a rather large piece of useless vinyl.
With regards to "can you patch it dry"? Of course you can, however, if it's on the floor I don't recommend it since the pool should NEVER be emptied, if it's on a wall - go for it.
A 3" gash would need a 5x3" patch with rounded corders, if you have an overlap liner, you can trim some of the excess and use it to patch - sometimes you can even match the pattern. Sacrificing a bag (used for inground pools) is a relatively cheap alternative, asking at the pool store if they have any excess liner material will sometimes yield free results - many times, pool stores will warranty liners, and only have to send the rip in for warranty purposes, leaving them with a rather large piece of useless vinyl.
With regards to "can you patch it dry"? Of course you can, however, if it's on the floor I don't recommend it since the pool should NEVER be emptied, if it's on a wall - go for it.
Leslie Pool Supply doesn't carry Boxer. They just carry their own brand for $7 and is probably the same at Walmart. Should I just order it online to get the Boxer brand? Thanks.
I don't know where you can get it in the USA - there's got to be a store that carries it - not necessarily a pool store....
I must have called 7-8 stores before I located Boxer in stock. Ok, I just put a large patch on the pool bottom. I'll just wait 24 hr before refiling. Thanks, I'll let you guys know how it goes.
Dang liner still leaks albeit slowly but 2-3 inches per day. I guess I have to get a new liner although I may wait until next year as it's already late August....