Refinishing the bottom of the pool and installing liner - DIY

[caitlyn12284]

Ok, I am probably going to sound a bit foolish as I post here, but it's really only because I have no clue what I am talking about Great way to start....
Anyways, we purchased our home during the winter months and was told our pool was opened the season prior and was in great condition. Lies. When we opened it up last summer it was trashed. We were quoted over $10k to repair it and really couldn't afford that for the pool alone. We decided this year to get into it and see what we can do ourselves (are we crazy?!)

I have attached pictures of what it looked like and where we're at now. I currently have about 2,000 lb of vermiculite mix sitting in my garage and was hoping to get it laid down this long weekend once we remove the old stuff. Now we are having trouble with the liner. I am terrified that our measurements are going to be way off (again, no clue what we're doing) and that after spending another $1,000 on it, it won't fit. Any tips or advice you can offer would be amazing!

Also, should we not put the vermiculite in without having the liner on hand to install shortly after it's set? Will it ruin everything if there is water that gets in that has to be pumped out as we wait for the liner to come in? Also, anywhere you know of that we can order the liner from and get it rather fast? I've watch YouTube tutorials and certainly think it's possible to do, but it's a bit daunting.

 

[kimkats]

Oh disappointing How do they sleep at night after saying it was fine??? GURRRRRRRR for you........well lets move on from that!

HI AND WELCOME to TFP. I am sorry we are meeting like this but you will be glad you found us. I am going to ping a couple of people who will know for use the answers to your questions. @jimmythegreek @ajw22

Do you still have the old liner? If so look at the back of it by the steps and ladder area to see if there are any markings on it. THAT will help with ordering your new liner.

 

[jimmythegreek]

That is about average looking for an old liner floor. Just pull string lines at the breaks with nails and make a pattern. Then you can use a 6ft level amd come up with the depths and measurements you need. Order the liner and do the floor once it comes amd you confirm the sticker on the box. Its dangerous to leave a liner pool exposed with no bracing hopefully your high and dry there I see some water in one pic amd dry in another. How big is the pool you have 50 bags?

 

[Casey]

I'd do it... only because I like a challenge n love to save money.

 

[caitlyn12284]

Thank you for the responses! We were able to get it done and then, the liner took longer to get here. Why we didn't wait until we got the liner, I literally couldn't tell you. So now we are running into the issue of the vermiculite being super dry and hairline cracks appearing. I am stressed that now we are going to have to try and remove what we've done and re-do it again. Searching everywhere to see if we can just go over the cracks with more moisture, but I am concerned it's too dry now and won't hold up well under the weight of the water. I knew this was going to be a big project for us, but now I am getting scared. LOL

 

[caitlyn12284]

That is about average looking for an old liner floor. Just pull string lines at the breaks with nails and make a pattern. Then you can use a 6ft level amd come up with the depths and measurements you need. Order the liner and do the floor once it comes amd you confirm the sticker on the box. Its dangerous to leave a liner pool exposed with no bracing hopefully your high and dry there I see some water in one pic amd dry in another. How big is the pool you have 50 bags?

I got 50 bags, and interestingly enough, I have a ton left over....It may be for the better though as I am not sure if we've ruined the first install with how dry it's gotten. We may have to try and re-do it, I am not entirely sure at this point.

 

[jimmythegreek]

That's why I asked 50 bags, that will do a huge pool easily. If its just hairlines get some pure Portland cement amd grout the cracks with a trowel amd smooth it all over. Then install liner right away dont let it get rained on. Take a pic of the cracks it would have to be bad to redo a new floor. What product did you use for vermiculite