Bring me up to speed on Vinyl Liner Pools

[Jimrahbe]

My neighbor Frank, who is even older than me, has moved into a home, so his house is being made ready to sell.

He has a 40 year old liner pool.. As part of the sale they are going to replace the liner. So, of course, I had to stop by and see how things were going.

The old liner is removed and laying in the corner of the pool and the new liner is there in a box..

I realized that I know nothing about liner pools and could use this event to come up to speed..

1. Are liners standard sizes?? Do they build the pool to fit the liner, or do they make the liner fit the pool??

2. Under the liner there is a "concrete like" structure that forms the shape of the pool.. In this case it is leaking ground water.. seems like this would be an issue???

3. I do not see any well points to remove the water. Are they a requirement, or just nice to have?

4. How many people does it take to install a new liner? How long does it normally take?

5. It is hard for me to wrap my brain around how this liner is going to neatly fit into all the corners, etc.. If I were doing it, I'm sure it wouldn't..

6. The upper sides of the pool are "plywood" in what I assume is direct contact with the dirt.. I did not get a close look, but this 40 year old plywood does not appear to be rotted???

7. This plywood is covered on the poolside with plastic or paper of some kind.. Not sure of the purpose this covering. ???

Some pics for reference..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ajw22]

1. Are liners standard sizes?? Do they build the pool to fit the liner, or do they make the liner fit the pool??

In ground pools are measured and liners custom made to fit.

2. Under the liner there is a "concrete like" structure that forms the shape of the pool.. In this case it is leaking ground water.. seems like this would be an issue???

That is typically vermiculite often mixed with dry cement.

The pressure of the water is a filled line pool tends to keep minor ground seepage in check.

3. I do not see any well points to remove the water. Are they a requirement, or just nice to have?

Depends on the water ground water level. It can be nice to have or required.

Ground water can get behind the pool liner causing bubbles on the sides.

4. How many people does it take to install a new liner? How long does it normally take?

How many people does it take to change a light bulb?

Depends what tools are used.

Blowers and vacuums can be used to suck the liner against the pool walls and hold it in place while the pool is filled.

5. It is hard for me to wrap my brain around how this liner is going to neatly fit into all the corners, etc.. If I were doing it, I'm sure it wouldn't..

Starts with good measurements. Especially the corner radiuss.

Then best to install the liner when it is warm and sunny as the heat helps the liner stretch into the corners.

6. The upper sides of the pool are "plywood" in what I assume is direct contact with the dirt.. I did not get a close look, but this 40 year old plywood does not appear to be rotted???

7. This plywood is covered on the poolside with plastic or paper of some kind.. Not sure of the purpose this covering. ???

Texas has some good wood I hear.

Liner Replacement - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[JamesW]

Are liners standard sizes?? Do they build the pool to fit the liner, or do they make the liner fit the pool??

There are "Standard" sizes, but many are custom made.

Many pools are sold as Kits that have standard dimensions.

2. Under the liner there is a "concrete like" structure that forms the shape of the pool.. In this case it is leaking ground water.. seems like this would be an issue???

Typically, vermiculite mixed with cement.

Provides a solid but not rough base.

3. I do not see any well points to remove the water. Are they a requirement, or just nice to have?

Required if ground water is a problem.

4. How many people does it take to install a new liner? How long does it normally take?

1 person can do it, but you usually want at least 2 to 3 people.

5. It is hard for me to wrap my brain around how this liner is going to neatly fit into all the corners, etc.. If I were doing it, I'm sure it wouldn't..

It has a bead that fits into a bead receiver.

6. The upper sides of the pool are "plywood" in what I assume is direct contact with the dirt.. I did not get a close look, but this 40 year old plywood does not appear to be rotted???

Most walls are polymer or galvanized steel.

Plywood is unlikely.

7. This plywood is covered on the poolside with plastic or paper of some kind.. Not sure of the purpose this covering. ???

Typically, foam to protect the liner.

 

[JamesW]

Most new pools are a kit with standard dimensions.

Replacement liners can be ordered stock if you have the original kit information and the pool was built exactly to the kit dimensions.

Most replacement liners are carefully measured and then the manufacturer can use a stock liner if they have one or they can do a custom.

Liners are like safety covers.

The manufacturer has records of the order and they can make a new one if you have the original order number.

Liners and covers usually have an order number on the liner or cover as well as with the included paperwork.

If you use a different manufacturer, then the liner will probably be custom.

 

[Newdude]

Plywood is unlikely.

Wood was used for a long time by DIYs and those on tight budgets.

It does surprisingly well. But then again that was then and nothing lasts like it used to.

 

[Griswald]

2 guys uninstalled and re-installec my new liner in 2 days. First day was removal and repairing any floor/wall damage. Liner was dropped in and installed and a vacuum pump attached overnight. We turned our water on and let it start filling. Second day was doing some stretching and re adjusting and installed my all the openings, lights, skimmers etc.

By lunch the second day the guys were packing up to go.

They left their vacuum pump until the next morning.

 

[Newdude]

A couple guys will hook the liner into the tracks and get it all centered



they cut in the drains (if applicable) and its filled to the light while a blower sucks it tight.



Then they cut in and install the light, skimmer faces and returns and its filled the rest of the way.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Thanks guys...

That was some great info ..

I had no idea about using a vacuum to pull the liner in place..

I had envisioned about 10 guys trying to move the liner in place..

No quite as daunting a task as I had assumed..

I hope I can catch them when they install my neighbor's liner..

Thanks again,

Jim R.

 

[woodyp]

Those liners can be awful heavy. 85 degrees ambient is recommended and a heat gun for any problematic corners or radiuses if necessary.

 

[Jimrahbe]

I went over there this afternoon and the liner was still in the box.. Two guys sitting under a tree, waiting for the ground water to be sucked out of the pool. They said come back in about an hour.

I came back in less than an hour and they had the liner in the pool and sucked up tight against the walls.. The walls are indeed plywood and still appears ok after being in the ground for 45 years... Plywood covered with a thin foam pad to protect the liner.

It makes sense that they install all the inputs and outputs after the liner is in place. I watched them install the main drain cover and seal. Only took a couple of minutes.

I had 'assumed' that a vinyl liner was thick, like old vinyl flooring.. But it is about the thickness of a piece of paper, and I was told this is a 'thicker' one than normal... I was surprised how thin it was.

As reported above, the old liner had a Serial Number and they just used that info to make the new liner..

I was impressed with the whole process.. That said, I think I will stick with gunite...

Thanks,

Jim R.