New IG pool owner, question before first startup

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M

milesvdustin

Well-known member
Jun 7, 2015
169
Marion, IL
Pool Size
21500
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
So I have had above ground pools in the past, first IG pool now at the new house. Water is green and about 3 feet low. It's a vinyl liner pool and it looks saggy off the walls. Is this going to tighten up when I fill or should I measure and start liner shopping now?

This pool, like the past one, will for sure be the trouble free method! May upgrade to SWG when the pump and filter die. They seem to work and were winterized but are certainly older.

Pool is about 18x36 best guess, need to get the tape out.

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That liner is old, your lucky ita holding if it is watertight. Being that low may be leaking, no reason tondrop water that low for winterizing. Yes water will push it back but 6" corners never sit tight without a perfect measure. Just fill it on a sunny warm day slowly, not much stretch left in that liner. Plan on replacing next season or sooner if it holds water
 
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I use a supplyhouse to get the better quality brands. You can order for example a merlin or similar directly from them. The online sites that sell to DIY rarely have top quality brands, not to say they are no good, it's just the dye fades quicker on those but the price is much cheaper. The measure is the critical aspect, the best liner doesnt matter if the fit is poor. With covid theres all kind of delays with certain places so keep that in mind it may play into who you get a liner from

Dont forget you need skimmer gasket, light gasket if you have one, and possibly return gaskets
 
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I use a local one here. They only sell to pool pros. I would start with a rough idea if pool shape and size/depth amd call around to see what the lead time is. I installed liners last year on new builds that were 3rd choice color just to get one. This year seems ok though I haven't finished a pool yet so we'll see
 
Thank you. I am going to pull the cover today and get a look at the whole thing. Isnt there a serial number and manufacturer on the underside of these liners?

I see a few online stores, is Doheny's any good?
 

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Some liners have a stamp tag on them. Depends on brand. The retailer isnt as important as the quality of the vinyl amd availability. Steps are nightmare to replace. They can be repaired and refinished using fiberglass techniques. Ecofinish done right is pricey but a great finish amd colors are available to get away from white
 
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The only issue with refinishing the steps is this top portion will push down when you step on it. A good half inch or more. Seems like it doesn't have support under it anymore.
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Also just confirmed this morning that the bottom of the pool is actual concrete, not vermiculite. The sides are a kind of gray synthetic material, doesn't seem like fiberglass. There also used to be a light but they filled that in.

Looking for a serial number next!
 
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Sounds like an older hybrid system. You can still fix them as is. You drill them out for access spots amd pack with non shrink grout. Then repair holes amd texture and finish them. I beleive theres a youtube video from a company that does these repairs
 
I will look in to fixing the stairs. Drilling some holes and filling the void up sounds like a good plan. Heck, i am open to cutting the whole top step off and re-glassing it back in place or cutting the concrete behind the step and filling it in that way.

No serial number anywhere on the old liner. Only one small silver sticker that said "deep end" right on the bead. Old liner was just cracking and falling apart in my hands. Long long overdue for a replacement.

Whoever did the concrete in this pool bottom doesn't seem to own a straight edge or know what a straight line is. The lines and edges are pretty wavy, but only a couple little spots need some cement repair.

The concrete is a slightly rough texture, should I hit this with a rub block or grind it smoother?

I am going to assume adding a new light niche is a massive undertaking? I don't see anywhere the old junction box would be for it above ground.

I will get some more pictures up this afternoon
 
Noticed this afternoon a couple inches of water in the bottom. Seems I have some ground water weeping in about 3 places.
 

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Here are some pictures of the pump and filters. If anyone can tell me what's going on here and how to control it? One of the 3 lines on the intlet is marked Sump. What is sump?
 

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Well one of the intake pipes to the pump is labeled "Sump" and one is labeled "Main drain" and one is labeled "Skimmer" so I was wondering if I was looking for something else that would be the sump. It does have a drain in bottom of the deep end.
 
Here is a closeup of the floor. Looks like cement and isn't at all squishy or soft

I went out and bashed on one of the seeping cracks with a hammer. Made a dent then a piece popped loose. I'm guessing vermiculite now. I'll have a section to cut out and replace now. Really want to solve this groundwater issue. Hoping that sump means I can pump groundwater out through the waste setting but I am not confident in that. My sand filter seems plugged and not allowing any water through any mode.
 

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