Hello all. After reading extensively on this site, I think I have somewhat unique issues due to my pool being an Endless Pool (rectangular, 14 x 7', 42" high). Fyi, the pool is a steel box with no bottom so the liner is directly on the ground like typical AGP's.
I purchased the pool used in October just as winter was coming in MI so I couldn't install it then (hence exacerbating any potential liner issues such as being out of water too long). I now have been working on getting my yard ready for it for several weeks. One of my biggest stressors is not knowing how the liner situation is going to play out. I have learned through my research including on this site that you typically cannot reuse a liner. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a new one except 1) they are $1100 and 2) Endless Pools charges a $500 ownership transfer fee for the privilege of buying their overpriced liner. Additionally, it could be a long wait given COVID19 has wreaked havoc on pool supplies/parts this summer.
A few things that might work in my favor (?): 1) the pool was indoors in a basement the entire time it was used by the prior owner (i.e., no sun breakdown, virtually no chemicals had to be used on it, etc.), 2) the liner is very thick, 28 mil, so presumably more durable, 3) MI will be sunny and in the 90s for at least the next couple weeks (sun helps with the stretch during install?) And 4) because I'm installing on concrete, I'm going to follow the foam board insulation approach so many of you recommend. (@mcoonan's recommendation is 2" board which is available locally.) This will raise my floor, helping to compensate for shrinkage (?). And possibly 5) because it's so much smaller and basically a box, shrinkage may be more contained and less complicated to remedy?
My first question is do any of the above increase my success potential? When people experience shrinkage, how much is it? Are we talking many inches from the top? Would my foamboard solve for this in your opinion? What else can I do to try to make this work before going to plan B and spending $1600? I'm not working so $ is a factor here. Notes: 1) I did reach out to another pool spa company, Medallion Pools, and they will sell me their same sized liner for about half the cost but I'm too nervous that it won't be compatible. "No refunds". 2) I can't use floor coving to reduce stretch because the built-in benches press up against the walls on the bottom. (Weird, given floor coving is a best practice!)
Any insights, suggestions, etc. are appreciated!
2nd question: this may be more for people with specific concrete experience. I am repurposing my shed's slab for this pool. Its length is 3.5' short so my plan is to augment the shortage by using 4" thick concrete caps (8" x 16") you find near the cinder blocks at the home improvement stores. (4" is the slab thickness and per EP specs). I've properly prepared the base with gravel and sand. I intend to pour cement in lieu of the caps where the anchor bolts go and for good measure, the cement will be wider and deeper than the caps. Even still, one opinion is this is no good, that freeze/thaw will do me in and that the caps will crack from the water weight. I bought a 45 mil pond liner plus the aforementioned 2" foamboard to address freeze/thaw. And I question if the weight will be a problem since +80% of the weight will sit on the original slab. Thoughts?
Sorry for the length, devil's in the details!
Thank you for any help you can offer!
Lisa
I purchased the pool used in October just as winter was coming in MI so I couldn't install it then (hence exacerbating any potential liner issues such as being out of water too long). I now have been working on getting my yard ready for it for several weeks. One of my biggest stressors is not knowing how the liner situation is going to play out. I have learned through my research including on this site that you typically cannot reuse a liner. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a new one except 1) they are $1100 and 2) Endless Pools charges a $500 ownership transfer fee for the privilege of buying their overpriced liner. Additionally, it could be a long wait given COVID19 has wreaked havoc on pool supplies/parts this summer.
A few things that might work in my favor (?): 1) the pool was indoors in a basement the entire time it was used by the prior owner (i.e., no sun breakdown, virtually no chemicals had to be used on it, etc.), 2) the liner is very thick, 28 mil, so presumably more durable, 3) MI will be sunny and in the 90s for at least the next couple weeks (sun helps with the stretch during install?) And 4) because I'm installing on concrete, I'm going to follow the foam board insulation approach so many of you recommend. (@mcoonan's recommendation is 2" board which is available locally.) This will raise my floor, helping to compensate for shrinkage (?). And possibly 5) because it's so much smaller and basically a box, shrinkage may be more contained and less complicated to remedy?
My first question is do any of the above increase my success potential? When people experience shrinkage, how much is it? Are we talking many inches from the top? Would my foamboard solve for this in your opinion? What else can I do to try to make this work before going to plan B and spending $1600? I'm not working so $ is a factor here. Notes: 1) I did reach out to another pool spa company, Medallion Pools, and they will sell me their same sized liner for about half the cost but I'm too nervous that it won't be compatible. "No refunds". 2) I can't use floor coving to reduce stretch because the built-in benches press up against the walls on the bottom. (Weird, given floor coving is a best practice!)
Any insights, suggestions, etc. are appreciated!
2nd question: this may be more for people with specific concrete experience. I am repurposing my shed's slab for this pool. Its length is 3.5' short so my plan is to augment the shortage by using 4" thick concrete caps (8" x 16") you find near the cinder blocks at the home improvement stores. (4" is the slab thickness and per EP specs). I've properly prepared the base with gravel and sand. I intend to pour cement in lieu of the caps where the anchor bolts go and for good measure, the cement will be wider and deeper than the caps. Even still, one opinion is this is no good, that freeze/thaw will do me in and that the caps will crack from the water weight. I bought a 45 mil pond liner plus the aforementioned 2" foamboard to address freeze/thaw. And I question if the weight will be a problem since +80% of the weight will sit on the original slab. Thoughts?
Sorry for the length, devil's in the details!
Thank you for any help you can offer!
Lisa
