Pool wall buckling during filling! Help!!!

Jump to latest Follow Reply
TheBigDipper

TheBigDipper

In The Industry
Jan 12, 2021
47
Clemmons, NC
Pool Size
14000
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Hayward Turbo Cell (T-CELL-5)
Looking for advice! We assembled our AGP today. It was warm (70s) and sunny. The liner went in well. We finished around 4pm and started to fill. We were attaching the top rails tonight while the pool was still filling (low 60s out but son had gone down) and we noticed a slight buckling on the wall in two of the areas. We tried to smooth it out with some gentle pressure and it looks substantially worse. We have turned the water off. What should we do???
 

Attachments

  • 6218ADB9-7778-4F1F-9013-EDCB724CB460.jpeg
    6218ADB9-7778-4F1F-9013-EDCB724CB460.jpeg
    207.6 KB · Views: 113
  • C9953A39-A198-419D-B3CF-B02A40B75156.jpeg
    C9953A39-A198-419D-B3CF-B02A40B75156.jpeg
    122.8 KB · Views: 112
  • A8CB5462-BD0B-46EA-863B-351AB1381D16.jpeg
    A8CB5462-BD0B-46EA-863B-351AB1381D16.jpeg
    134.2 KB · Views: 111
Where the buckling is happening is in a section over a large boulder that we leveled everything else to. So im not sure its a sinking issue. I know those pictures may not have showed it well. Is it possible that the liner was not flexing enough because it got colder and dark? Tomorrow will be warm (mid 70s) and partly sunny. So im wondering if that will help any? The forecast changed for this weekend and its going to be cloudy and colder than we thought. I’m wondering if we should completely drain it and wait until the weather warms up more in a few weeks. Not sure if this will cause any damage though?
 
You shouldn't be filling the pool once the sun goes down on the first night. Second night is ok because you'll have most of the liner seated and in place. Wall buckles are normal for above ground pools but filling when the sun goes down should cease immediately as it can pull the walks down and destroy the pool.
 
Casey said:
You shouldn't be filling the pool once the sun goes down on the first night. Second night is ok because you'll have most of the liner seated and in place. Wall buckles are normal for above ground pools but filling when the sun goes down should cease immediately as it can pull the walks down and destroy the pool.
Click to expand...
Do you think we’ve damaged it too much by filling after the sun went down? Or will it fix itself when filled? Today is supposed to be mid 70s and partly sunny so im just questioning whether we should try to start filling again. I am afraid of it buckling more. The forecast for the next week is 50s-60s. Once its partially filled, if it gets cold again will the liner shrink again and that weight pull down on the wall? This is what it looked like this morning.
 

Attachments

  • 515AB326-8145-49B2-B4D5-0FE32E82CCEF.jpeg
    515AB326-8145-49B2-B4D5-0FE32E82CCEF.jpeg
    76.7 KB · Views: 129
  • 0CD10FD9-63FB-4FF2-84EF-408010486DDE.jpeg
    0CD10FD9-63FB-4FF2-84EF-408010486DDE.jpeg
    73.9 KB · Views: 120
JamesW said:
How well does the liner fit?

If it's not touching the bottom, the weight can pull down too much on the wall.
Click to expand...
The liner seemed to fit well when it was warm out. It touched the walls and cove and floor. It was slightly tighter on the side that is buckling more. Once the sun went down the liner got substantially tighter and was no longer lax. Ive included pictures of the liner when it was warm.
 

Attachments

  • 0F228278-6C67-4F6A-A85B-790158F2B58B.jpeg
    0F228278-6C67-4F6A-A85B-790158F2B58B.jpeg
    75.7 KB · Views: 86
  • F750F5AA-B764-450C-8C3B-3EE5A759573F.jpeg
    F750F5AA-B764-450C-8C3B-3EE5A759573F.jpeg
    29.4 KB · Views: 82
revitup said:
What exactly is the problem with filling after the sun goes down? I’m not following.
Click to expand...
The sun helps keep the liner warm and pliable.

Cold shrinks the liner and then the water weight pulls down too much on the top.

With the rock underneath, you have much less margin for error.

There's no give under the wall for the wall to shift.

It might have to be redone to address the problem.

Maybe contact a local installer to see if they can help get the installation right.
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
People don't get. The warm sun helps the liner seat better for minor adjustments. You may succeed if it's tight just by sheer luck but the the liner will always be stressed. Then if one is to make some kind of modification say a new return, when you cut all of a sudden the liner can tear out on you or end up oval hole from pressure.
 
So the liner in warm full sun yesterday was easily draping over the walls and cove. It was completely flat on the floor as well. No gaps. Im not sure if I mentioned it is a j hook liner. We got the pool filled about 6 inches before the sun went down. We continue to fill after the sun went down and it got dark. I think this was our mistake. When it got cold it was definitely tighter. I tripped on a bungee cord that was holding one of the walls up and I think that added to the issue. And us trying to correct it with her hands did not help. We got lucky today and have high 70s and a lot of sun. So the liner is softer again. It is not fully touching the wall where the water has not filled yet. But probably a half an inch from it. If you press it with your finger it easily stretched to touch the wall. Is touching the floor and cove though. The buckling seems to be doing a lot better. Going to fill as much as we can today while the liner is warm and see what happens. Fingers crossed!
 
  • Like
Reactions: magiteck, JamesW and Newdude
We were definitely concerned about that boulder. Far to big to remove without a major overhaul of our yard. It was the lowest point so lowered the rest of the pavers to it within 5/8th inch of it. The two uprights next to it are within 1/8th of an inch of it and each other (rechecked today after that fiasco). We fortunately we were able to get pavers under all the uprights except the one. We’re thinking that one upright with the boulder under it that we couldn’t get a paver in will act as a paver. We cemented over it to make it flat. 🤞
 
  • Like
Reactions: JamesW
If you're up n over the cove and the water is over it and now touching the wall, you can safely fill over night now. Just keep an eye on it. It's that first few inches that you dont want to fill over night. After that it's good. Those buckles should push right out with the water weight. DO NOT CUT THE LINER for the return or skimmer before the water reaches those areas!
 
I think we’re out of the woods now! Phew, that was stressful. Hahaha. Thanks for all the support and advise. Lots of good suggestions! More updates to come as the water gets deeper!
 
  • Like
Reactions: JamesW
Just updating this post for future reference. The pool wall is fine. Verified that all the blocks are within 1” of level. I think the problem was the liner was “fitted” well to the pool and we were filling when the liner was cool. Once the sun was on the liner, it loosened up. That, along with getting the water a bit higher in the daytime pushed the wall back into place. Two weeks later, everything is looking great.
A40A16AA-61F5-429D-926E-E40899B2DE2F.jpeg
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: mrkaz, joepaiii, Mdragger88 and 6 others
I am having this problem to with my pool. looks similar to these pictures. It is our 2nd time trying this and im wondering should i just push though on a very very hot day? We are pretty positive it is not a leveling issue. It was 22c when we filled with a water truck. Stopped when started to buckle.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Thread Status
Hello , This thread has been inactive for over 60 days. New postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For better visibility, consider Starting A New Thread.
Top Bottom
Back
Jump to latest Follow Reply