New liner installed...Lots of wrinkles

[anthony21078]

The liner is from Merlin and its called Shelter Cove. Shelter Cove All Over Pattern* - Merlin Industries

I was advised by the installation company that they don't like to install this liner anymore because many of their customers complain about the wrinkles. With that said, they will not install this liner unless the customer signs a waiver. I understood the risks and we went ahead with the install. The water level is maybe 6 inches in the shallow end now as they just finished the light install.

To my eyes, I do not see any wrinkles. I see indentations, creases and bubbles. I went in the pool and I can feel the bubbles are from the sand but I know they troweled the sand smooth. Also, the edge where the shallow section ends is very soft. Soft enough where you can push down with your foot and move the sand.

Any of the pro's here feel these imperfections are the result of bad installation? Or is this particular liner just prone to problems? Again, I know I was warned, but something doesn't seem right to me.

 

[Newdude]

the result of bad installation?

I don't see how it's possible that one particular liner from a company wrinkles.

It's one thing if they didn't like Merlin in general, but just that one pattern ? It seems fishy.

Dents and divots are common with sand. I wish you would have waited to go check it out. You probably made some new dents you wouldn't have had if the water was full. Once full, the water weight will help compress the sand, and make you more buoyant. It will never be perfect though and anytime somebody (mainly kids playing) pushes hard off the floor there will be new dents.

 

[anthony21078]

The installation company only sells Merlin liners. This liner has a textured pattern that's raised. The bottom side is not completely smooth and flat because the top side is raised. They believe this is the reason why many of their installs with this particular liner have this issue. I searched far and wide for reviews on this liner but I could not find any.

I only wandered around a small section of the shallow end so if I displaced any more sand hopefully it was minimal. I'm sure once the pool is full and the water is moving around with the pump it's not noticeable but something about these big bumps just doesn't seem right.

 

[Newdude]

The installation company only sells Merlin liners. This liner has a textured pattern that's raised. The bottom side is not completely smooth and flat because the top side is raised.

Ok GREAT. That makes alot more sense. This particular liner is freaky deaky and the liner company isn't trying to upsell you something else with a better profit margin. (IE, another liner company).

Psot some pics looking at the light.

Here is mine with sand. I watched them pack it real good with my own eyes and it was as smooth as glass. Zoom in to see all the dents.

 

[anthony21078]

At the moment I have the water level still around 6 inches in the shallow end since I was thinking maybe the company wanted to redo the liner there would be minimal water loss. However, I just spoke to the company and they said the same thing you did. The bumps might settle once the water level is up to normal ( I just do see it though). They advised to fill the pool and check back with them in a week. If the bumps persist, they have a diver that comes to smooth out the bumps.

I asked about re-doing the whole job and they said its possible but very difficult since the liner should not be completely removed. Multiple people would be used to hold the liner while someone re-trowels.

If my liner looked like that pic I would be 100% happy. My liner has large protruding bumps

 

[anthony21078]

install pics

 

[anthony21078]

more

 

[woodyp]

Is there anything on top of the sand such as foam sheets stripped together with tape? Made a big difference on small imperfections on my last liner.

 

[anthony21078]

Is there anything on top of the sand such as foam sheets stripped together with tape? Made a big difference on small imperfections on my last liner.

No just sand on the floor. The walls had new 1/4 foam installed. I was wondering if there was anything that can be placed on top of the sand to prevent these problems. Can the same foam on the walls be used on the floor?

 

[Newdude]

It looks like it's as smooth at it could have been, though I'm sure you're seeing what you're seeing.

Get pics with the light on when possible. Or. As I like to call the pool light..... the defectffinder9000.

I mean. Perfect is an illusion and if you drop a flashlight on the floor / patio / wall / etc it will show the imperfections that weren't evident on their own. But you never do that so you forget about it. The pool light on the other hand gets used alot.

 

[anthony21078]

Since I dont have the light installed yet, this is the best I can get right now. Check out the square footprints from when the worker used cardboard to go down into the deep end.