I have an Intex 2017 Prism steel frame pool 18x48. My pool has been great and up continuous for 8 years in Chicago weather. I got a bad winter pill and it froze the water and caused this horizontal tear in liner about 8 inches long. It is above the floor seam not on it. Do you think patching would do it or throw it out? The pool is still standing just empty, obviously. Are there good patches for horizontal tears... long ones? It literally looks like someone just took a razor and sliced it. Everything I read talks about holes...not tears or slits. Advice appreciated.
Horizintal tear in liner
- Thread starter Dawng65
- Start date
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,062
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Vinyl Liner-Patching - Further Reading
www.troublefreepool.com
You can try patching the liner and see if it holds. After 8 years, the liner is probably brittle, and you are due for a new pool.
VinnyinNJ
Bronze Supporter
- Jul 20, 2022
- 1,048
- Pool Size
- 13500
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Turbo Cell (T-CELL-5)
I think your liner is shot but you could try patching. I have had good luck with Gorilla clear waterproof tape holding underwater. Whether you use a dedicated patch and/or the Gorilla tape I would definitely use the Gorilla tape on the outside of the pool. I think you should use vertical strips going from the underside toward the top rail to hold the tension from the area. Maybe use about 6 inches above and below the tear and start/end it maybe 6 inches from side to side. If you want to go completely crazy with it maybe first use the gorilla tape horizontal to seal the tear on the outside then use it vertical to hold the area, then patch it from the inside using a dedicated pool patch.
I'm not saying it'll work but for a couple of extra dollars it may be worth a try. I used it for a plastic pool ladder that the steps were cracking at a 90 degree seam and it held on great for the few years I used it. I was just trying to keep the seam from cracking further NOT using it for structural integrity. If it does work I probably would consider the liner/pool in the not too distant future as who knows what's next.
I'm not saying it'll work but for a couple of extra dollars it may be worth a try. I used it for a plastic pool ladder that the steps were cracking at a 90 degree seam and it held on great for the few years I used it. I was just trying to keep the seam from cracking further NOT using it for structural integrity. If it does work I probably would consider the liner/pool in the not too distant future as who knows what's next.
Unfortunately Intex liners are the structural support of the pool. The metal frame is to prevent the big bag of water from sagging and spilling its contents. A patch on the bottom seam isn't likely to hold in a high stress area. If your metal frame rust free and in good shape you can get a regular overlap pool liner and fit it inside your current pool liner. The results aren't aesthetically pleasing but your pool would be functional for a few more years.
Here is an example of someone putting a liner inside their Intex pool
www.troublefreepool.com
Here is an example of someone putting a liner inside their Intex pool
Installing replacement liner inside of Intex 18' metal frame
Ok so here is my problem. I have an 18' x 52" Intex metal frame pool that has started leaking out the bottom. My idea is to buy an overlapping 18' liner and stick it inside the pool. The Intex vinyl liner would be the pool walls and the new overlapping liner would of course overlap over the...
www.troublefreepool.com
