How Long Do Patches Last?

[stbaker8103]

Had a brand new liner installed and there was a hole/leak from day one that was not covered under the warranty. Contractor patched the hole and said that the patch would last the life of the liner. Is that true? Will this hole/patch cause issues down that road? Should we be refunded something for a compromised liner?

 

[PoolStored]

I'm sorry you are in this position. With new liner, one would expect the pool would retain water..."from day one."
The answer on the patch is that it is VERY dependent on the skill and materials used by the installer, on the duration of the patch, nobody can give you a definitive answer. Is he willing to warranty the patch for the life of the liner in writing as he represented? What is the definition of "life of the liner?"
Unfortunately, you are in a very *&$@ position.
In the contract for the replacement of the liner, what was the representation of the warranty? If there was a hole from "day one" would seem to me their responsibility. Did you confirm the hole before they left? Why did they deny a warranty claim?

 

[stbaker8103]

I'm sorry you are in this position. With new liner, one would expect the pool would retain water..."from day one."
The answer on the patch is that it is VERY dependent on the skill and materials used by the installer, on the duration of the patch, nobody can give you a definitive answer. Is he willing to warranty the patch for the life of the liner in writing as he represented? What is the definition of "life of the liner?"
Unfortunately, you are in a very *&$@ position.
In the contract for the replacement of the liner, what was the representation of the warranty? If there was a hole from "day one" would seem to me their responsibility. Did you confirm the hole before they left? Why did they deny a warranty claim?

From my understanding, the warranty only covers seam separation. We seemed to be losing water after the pool was filled (the day after the liner was installed). We took measurements for a few days because we were not sure if we had a leak or if it was normal evaporation since this was in the height of the summer. We contacted the contractor several days later after we were positive we were losing more water than what we should have. He came out and looked for the leak but was unable to find it. We are the ones who actually found the small hole.
As for the contract, we are still under the contract of the install of the pool itself. This is our 3rd liner since the pool was installed 2 years ago. First liner was installed improperly causing a leak, second had a seam separation (covered under warranty), and our 3rd and current liner has a hole. There is nothing in the contract about holes/patches.
We are in a very "&$@ position" is an understatement!

 

[Mdragger88]

Oh boy, This sounds like it’s all been a real headache
As for the patch, I would just monitor it. If it starts to peel up or something you can put a larger patch over the top of it.
While patches on a brand new liner aren’t ideal sometimes things happen and it’s necessary. There’s no hard and fast way to know how long it will be good for but they can certainly last for many years if done well.

 

[Bperry]

From my understanding, the warranty only covers seam separation. We seemed to be losing water after the pool was filled (the day after the liner was installed). We took measurements for a few days because we were not sure if we had a leak or if it was normal evaporation since this was in the height of the summer. We contacted the contractor several days later after we were positive we were losing more water than what we should have. He came out and looked for the leak but was unable to find it. We are the ones who actually found the small hole.
As for the contract, we are still under the contract of the install of the pool itself. This is our 3rd liner since the pool was installed 2 years ago. First liner was installed improperly causing a leak, second had a seam separation (covered under warranty), and our 3rd and current liner has a hole. There is nothing in the contract about holes/patches.
We are in a very "&$@ position" is an understatement!

Your expectation of having a liner installed with no holes is perfectly justified. Just like buying a new car with a scratch in the paint. I’ll either choose another model without a scratch or the dealer will give me a discount on the scratched car. There really isn’t a third option IMO.

 

[kimkats]

GURRRRRRRR on this happening and many adult words for you!

Patching 101:

-The patch should have rounded edges. No sharp corners or such.
-There should be two patches. One that fits over the hole and the other that is bigger than the first.

I would avoid brushing the patch to be on the safe side. Don't mess with it in any way.

 

[1poolman1]

From my understanding, the warranty only covers seam separation. We seemed to be losing water after the pool was filled (the day after the liner was installed). We took measurements for a few days because we were not sure if we had a leak or if it was normal evaporation since this was in the height of the summer. We contacted the contractor several days later after we were positive we were losing more water than what we should have. He came out and looked for the leak but was unable to find it. We are the ones who actually found the small hole.
As for the contract, we are still under the contract of the install of the pool itself. This is our 3rd liner since the pool was installed 2 years ago. First liner was installed improperly causing a leak, second had a seam separation (covered under warranty), and our 3rd and current liner has a hole. There is nothing in the contract about holes/patches.
We are in a very "&$@ position" is an understatement!

Not sure about the laws in your locale. Here, as a licensed contractor, I have to provide a warranty that could last up to 10 years on certain improvements. A workmanship warranty is automatically 1 year and the contractor's board can extend that if it goes to arbitration. Have never had that happen. Installing a liner with a hole would seem to fall under the workmanship warranty.
The very first liner I ever installed I caused a hole. Fortunately it was an above ground pool so not a custom made liner, but still an expensive mistake. Didn't make any money on that job. It was also the last liner I installed.
If the installer was licensed and actually cared about the customer and his reputation, he would just eat the cost. Maybe he can't afford that. Then he shouldn't install liners. He is the type of person in this business that there are so many, "he's trying to rip me off" complaints about and it makes those of us who would just own up to our expensive mistake look bad.
You may have to fight for getting what you should have in the first place. You have to decide if it is worth it.

 

[Bill1974]

How long a patch lasts depends on many things. It could last the life of the liner or it could last days or anywhere in between. Depending on the location of the patch and how it was done, I would ask for a new liner or half the cost liner replacement. If the patch is in a stressed part of the liner or an area that will experience more wear, I would say there is less of a chance of it lasting the life of the liner. Ideally the hole would be patched by heat welding it is place and not gluing it.

Another alternative would be to get a warranty on the liner as long as possible and if there are issues with the patch in that time the liner is to be replaced. This only works if the company is going to around and willing to stand by their warranty.