Any tips for cold weather vinyl liner install?

[duanebe]

Hi,

Just finishing up the construction of my DIY pool... it's an 18x42 inground rectangle, 8'9" deep end.

I'm in New Brunswick, Canada, and the daily temps are now down to 10 Celsius (50 Farenheit) during the daytime. I just finished the vermiculite bottom, I would like to get the liner in, and water in to protect the pool from freezing temps this winter.

I plan to have some tea kettles to boil water, and a garden hose hooked to my hot water heater to keep it pliable while inserting the bead into the track. The liner will be in my heated garage until we roll it out for the install (I can have the garage at 90 degrees, so the liner will start out nice and warm). I'll pick the sunniest possible day, my liner is dark blue, so sunshine will help.

Any other pointers on a cold weather liner install?

Thanks!

 

[PoolguyinCT]

Warm storage for 3 days (don't ask why 3) the pool can also be tented & heated - not easy or fun.

Verm bottom will "pop/shatter" if exposed to winter elements - so fill'er up!


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[Veccster]

I hope my pool builder is aware of these cold weather tips as well.

We are in Pittsburgh, PA and start our dig on Friday. It'll be another week or so before he's installing the liner.

I was more worried about the concrete decking.....now I'll worry about the verm bottom and liner

 

[borjis]

Liner makers typically will do a slightly expanded size for winter installs, but sounds like you already have yours.

As long as it's warm to start and sunny out I would think it should go ok.

 

[duanebe]

Thanks for the replies and the help... the liner was made in Canada just a few weeks ago and the manufacturer was aware of the late season install, so I hope/assume they built it with a "loose fit".

I'm aware of what will happen to the vermiculite bottom once the ground freezes... that's what has me in a rush to get the liner in. Weather isn't co-operating for an install this weekend (rain)... but I'll have it in within the next week or so.

Three days in the warm garage... that won't be a problem... I like the heat so I'll use this as my excuse to get it nice and toasty in the shop

 

[Veccster]

Liner makers typically will do a slightly expanded size for winter installs, but sounds like you already have yours.

As long as it's warm to start and sunny out I would think it should go ok.

If a liner is made a bit bigger for cold-weather install, what happens next summer when things heat up? Will the liner be too big and sag?

 

[borjis]

I don't believe so, other wise the experts wouldn't make them that way....the slightly expanded size is so the liner doesn't get damaged and will
fit during install. Filling it will stretch it out the rest of the way.

At least this is my understanding of the how and why.

 

[PoolguyinCT]

If a liner is made a bit bigger for cold-weather install, what happens next summer when things heat up? Will the liner be too big and sag?

No it will be fine "season cuts" are pretty much relegated to about 12" of linear perimeter & swimouts & stair perimeters are not altered.


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[duanebe]

Installed the liner over the weekend... temp was just above freezing... maybe 40F at the most. No issues at all, fit nicely and vacuum held it to the walls with no wrinkles on the first try!

 

[gwegan]

Fantastic Can we get pictures?

 

[duanebe]

pics are on my build thread... here:

Rehab project in New Brunswick, Canada

- - - Updated - - -

And... I've had ice in the pool every morning now since the liner was installed! Of course, today it warmed up to a balmy 13C (54F). Where was that weather on the weekend!?!?