I'm noticing that my inground pool which is vinyl and vermiculite is showing dents in the bottom. Almost like someone stepped on something like a pool toy. You can really only see it at night with the lights on. What would cause this? Do the bottoms stay somewhat pliable?
Dents in bottom of pool
- Thread starter jcaj558
- Start date
I'm not an expert by any means, but I can tell you this: One of the dents in my pool is precisely what led to our expedited liner replacement project this year.
One of the dents in my pool developed a tiny leak which we successfully patched: Details in this thread: Potentially Serious Problem
Days after patching, I did not hesitate to sign a contract to have the liner replaced immediately. (Keep in mind my liner was 12 years old - definitely time to replace) I documented the job here: Liner Replacement Project
Hopefully the experts will chime in... There's really nothing you can do about them unless you want to drain the pool, remove the liner, repair the vermiculite, re-seat the liner and refill. Might as well get a new liner for all that work. As for what causes them... my guess is that minor imperfections in the vermiculite get amplified over time mostly by ground settling. If a tiny leak develops that goes unnoticed, then there is chemical erosion of the vermiculite. Eventually, said leak will completely erode the vermiculite and start eating into the soil. Ultimately, you'd be looking at a sinkhole situation if erosion were to continue. (Worst case of course!)
In my own case, even during the two days when there was a noticeable leak, erosion had gotten to the point where secondary dents were starting to form around the main one.
All you can really do is monitor the nature of the dent. Keep watch and if a leak develops, patch it IMMEDIATELY.
Kelly
One of the dents in my pool developed a tiny leak which we successfully patched: Details in this thread: Potentially Serious Problem
Days after patching, I did not hesitate to sign a contract to have the liner replaced immediately. (Keep in mind my liner was 12 years old - definitely time to replace) I documented the job here: Liner Replacement Project
Hopefully the experts will chime in... There's really nothing you can do about them unless you want to drain the pool, remove the liner, repair the vermiculite, re-seat the liner and refill. Might as well get a new liner for all that work. As for what causes them... my guess is that minor imperfections in the vermiculite get amplified over time mostly by ground settling. If a tiny leak develops that goes unnoticed, then there is chemical erosion of the vermiculite. Eventually, said leak will completely erode the vermiculite and start eating into the soil. Ultimately, you'd be looking at a sinkhole situation if erosion were to continue. (Worst case of course!)
In my own case, even during the two days when there was a noticeable leak, erosion had gotten to the point where secondary dents were starting to form around the main one.
All you can really do is monitor the nature of the dent. Keep watch and if a leak develops, patch it IMMEDIATELY.
Kelly
I have 20 year old pool with many dents. I know some are from when some kids road a bicycle into the pool when we were on vacation (saw the video on Facebook!). It may not have anything to do with the liner. Vermiculite is fairly soft material.
Of course, if you have no rambunctious kids / adults in the pool and it is fairly new, you might want to look for holes, but in my experience dents do not equal holes.
Of course, if you have no rambunctious kids / adults in the pool and it is fairly new, you might want to look for holes, but in my experience dents do not equal holes.
SDor brings up an excellent point - a dent doesn't necessarily mean a hole will form. In our case it did and may have something to do with pool volleyball activities over 12 years. (those dang rambunctious adults!!! 
)
)Hi,
I found this useful post when searching for "dents in pool bottom." I have a new pool this season and I felt soft spots near the cove I wasn't thrilled with, but now have one softball sized indent. Not as deep as softball, but about width.
I see this is somewhat normal, and I have sand bottom.
Does vermiculite help prevent this or gorilla floor pad?
thanks
PS I hope this is an ok comment on this post. I have been notified not to respond to old thread, or hijack someones thread. I hope this is in the nature of this discussion.
I found this useful post when searching for "dents in pool bottom." I have a new pool this season and I felt soft spots near the cove I wasn't thrilled with, but now have one softball sized indent. Not as deep as softball, but about width.
I see this is somewhat normal, and I have sand bottom.
Does vermiculite help prevent this or gorilla floor pad?
thanks
PS I hope this is an ok comment on this post. I have been notified not to respond to old thread, or hijack someones thread. I hope this is in the nature of this discussion.