I would not call a pool place to fix this. I would call a foundation repair company. One that specializes in water removal and remediation. They are going to know more then any pool place ever will.
HELP - Floating Liner - Is this Normal?
- Thread starter GigaMike
- Start date
Gigamike, just so you know re closing, while in my case I have the pool techs do it, they do NOT lower the water.
They've explained that its better (in their opinion, in my climate and pool) to leave the water level high to combat pressure from the water table. They blow out the lines, plug the returns, use a bit of antifreeze, remove the light (placed and wrapped on deck) and use a gizmo in the skimmer then cover. Since they have to warranty the work and fix it if anything goes wrong, my guess is that in my case and location leaving the water high is less risky than lowering it
In fairness, they are using a pro air compressor to blow out the lines, so they're confident when they plug em
While paying techs to close is pricy compared to DIY, it might be worth it this one time if you're new to your pool to have them close to see what the standard approach is in your area. My bet is that they may not want to lower the water at all.
Then again, its possible that my techs use this ethos on my pool because they were the company that built it and installed the sump and groundwater pump. I've heard that this company is known as "specialists" in terms of tricky water table installs.
While I am above the flood plain (on the river but up a hill) my pool sits in what was a former catch basin, very close to house and at te bottom of a staged terrace. I am told by original owner that 3 other companies said the install was impossible
They've explained that its better (in their opinion, in my climate and pool) to leave the water level high to combat pressure from the water table. They blow out the lines, plug the returns, use a bit of antifreeze, remove the light (placed and wrapped on deck) and use a gizmo in the skimmer then cover. Since they have to warranty the work and fix it if anything goes wrong, my guess is that in my case and location leaving the water high is less risky than lowering it
In fairness, they are using a pro air compressor to blow out the lines, so they're confident when they plug em
While paying techs to close is pricy compared to DIY, it might be worth it this one time if you're new to your pool to have them close to see what the standard approach is in your area. My bet is that they may not want to lower the water at all.
Then again, its possible that my techs use this ethos on my pool because they were the company that built it and installed the sump and groundwater pump. I've heard that this company is known as "specialists" in terms of tricky water table installs.
While I am above the flood plain (on the river but up a hill) my pool sits in what was a former catch basin, very close to house and at te bottom of a staged terrace. I am told by original owner that 3 other companies said the install was impossible
Pabeader, I actually don't think your comment is quite accurate...while I agree not to call a pool STORE, Gigamike should probably consider calling a reputable and experienced pool INSTALLER/technician and ask if they ave experience with high water tables. They will certainly know what to do, as would a hydro geologist, in terms of remedy.
At least, a good one that's been in business for a while in an area with a high water table should
At least, a good one that's been in business for a while in an area with a high water table should
Because of my floating issues, my closer only has me lower below the skimmer. They use "duck plugs" made by Anderson. You install the plug in your return and then blow out your lines. Because it has a special valve, water can't flow back in the lines. You can search for more info.
SW - You're probably right. I just tend to think around corners. The OP isn't getting responses from pool people. Might want to try others. I figure it this way. If I need to get my windshield fixed, I don't think of the manufacturer, I think of the guys that do windshield repair.
Thanks to everyone who helped me.
I pumped quite a bit of water out then had to leave town overnight. I came back yesterday and all the water is gone and the liner is tight again. Although I have 4-5 huge wrinkles that I probably can't fix unless I float the liner again. Other than that I think I'm in good shape overall
I did get a pool tech to stop by and he helped ease my worries. He said it likely happened because I drained it so low and recommends I only drain below the skimmer and blow out the lines pretty good. Also said that since I didn't really have any wrinkles in the liner before this happened it was probably the first time given the 6" of rain and low water level. He didn't seem too concerned about installing any elaborate drainage systems. Real nice guy too to help me out for free.
So I'll wait for some more rain and see what happens. I might wait till spring and put some water behind the liner then pump it back in the pool after I get the wrinkles out. I don't really feel like wasting any more water at this point on a closed pool.
I pumped quite a bit of water out then had to leave town overnight. I came back yesterday and all the water is gone and the liner is tight again. Although I have 4-5 huge wrinkles that I probably can't fix unless I float the liner again. Other than that I think I'm in good shape overall
I did get a pool tech to stop by and he helped ease my worries. He said it likely happened because I drained it so low and recommends I only drain below the skimmer and blow out the lines pretty good. Also said that since I didn't really have any wrinkles in the liner before this happened it was probably the first time given the 6" of rain and low water level. He didn't seem too concerned about installing any elaborate drainage systems. Real nice guy too to help me out for free.
So I'll wait for some more rain and see what happens. I might wait till spring and put some water behind the liner then pump it back in the pool after I get the wrinkles out. I don't really feel like wasting any more water at this point on a closed pool.
Mike:
Please add your signatures. Liners do stretch and I know this is how they are fixed once a section falls off the track (coping).
Is it possible you can set off track and stretch out the wrinkle (assuming wrinkles are not too far away)? Maybe someone else can have better insight on this.
Pictures may be helpful in this case. I am glad that everything seemed to pan out.
Please add your signatures. Liners do stretch and I know this is how they are fixed once a section falls off the track (coping).
Is it possible you can set off track and stretch out the wrinkle (assuming wrinkles are not too far away)? Maybe someone else can have better insight on this.
Pictures may be helpful in this case. I am glad that everything seemed to pan out.
You don't want to wait too long to refloat that liner. I get in the pool and adjust the liner as soon as I see any floating BEFORE the ground water recedes. Good luck!
My previous post sounds a bit nag-ey, but I live with floating issues, although mine are minor now compared to yours. We have done 4 attempts to improve our surrounding drainage with moderate success. Now, we live with it.
Just came out to check the pool after all the rain, found this
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Following the advise here I started to fill the pool again, and used my brush to flatten and smooth the liner back out so that all of the water under it is distributed equally. Hopefully I have managed to salvage the situation. I think it will be several days before I see the full fruits of my efforts today
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The water is still causing the liner to bulge away from the walls. Hopefully I will be left with minimal wrinkles when all is said and done.
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I had this problem as well. I live in an area very a high water table. I was told that in the 80's before I bought the house that they hit a lot of water during the install of IG pool. They installed a bilge line at the time. I didn't know what that additional line was until I put a hose down there and pumped out the water. It did work. However its not automatic and I have to manually connect a small pump to remove water. In the past I simply opened up a portion of the liner a stuck a hose to remove water. That worked but getting the liner off and pushing the hose down its very difficult.