In-ground Pool Liner Failure -> Need advice

craywm

New member
May 16, 2023
3
Lexington, KY
Hello all,

I've been a member since I bought this home in 2021, and is my first home with a pool. Last year I installed a DIY pool automation system (Nixie system detailed on this forum). In 2022, I bought a new safety cover. Point here is that I have invested some money in the Pool.

After closing my pool, we had a big freeze for maybe 2-3 days. Mostly night time temps. On Christmas eve, I went to adjust the loop-loc cover tension and check water level, and to my surprise - the liner was torn and basically there was no water in the shallow end. The liner was old and I was planning to replace, but had not yet saved up for it.

Additionally, my skimmer is original (pool installed 1993) and is cracked. The crack is not very large, and I've sealed up to this point. I am thinking of applying an ABS x MEK as a more permanent solution. The backfill under my steps has also eroded, and my top step has a crack in it. The pool deck is an older aggregate type, and Is in poor shape (also doesn't look great).
Initially I wanted to tear up the coping around the edge of the pool (saw about 1 ft outboard of skimmer around entire pool) and repour concrete after repair. I would repair starts and skimmer as well.
After checking prices on all of this, I don't have enough emergency fund available to cover a pool specialist to make these repairs. I wanted to do some of them myself and retain the scope of work, but I'm still not sure thats best.

The pool is an older Ester Williams (back when they were around). Being that the skimmer is a small issue and the stairs could be repaired. I'm thinking now of just patching those (more permanent) and replacing the liner. This would afford me some time to save up for a full renovation that would involve concrete deck, stairs and coping.
Still the Patching and Liner would be around $7500 to have a professional perform. About half the cost of the required renovation. Is this worth it? Am I missing anything? I'm looking for advice from someone who maybe has dealt with a similar issue. Filling in the pool would be close to $10k, so thats also not an option.

Additionally, I'm not certain I need wall support to prevent the pool walls from caving in. I was going to throw some wood supports wall-to-wall together since it will be around 2-3 months for a liner at the least due to weather. Does anyone know if I should brace the walls, and if so, the best method?
I've searched the forum but have come up empty for the most part.
 
Hey Cray and belated Welcome !!!!

First thing always first. Got pics ? They really help fill in the blanks.

Does anyone know if I should brace the walls, and if so, the best method?
Yes you should brace the walls. A circle gets braced like a wagon wheel and rectangles would need front to back and side to side. Kinda like a #.

Ester Williams made alot of pools over the years. Could be a cicle, oval or rectangle. Cough cough pics cough. Ahem. Excuse me. 😁
 
Well, it’s sort of has a safety cover on for the winter.. but I shall oblige you. The shape is a Grecian. One skimmer, one main drain. two returns. SWG chlorinator. Hayward super pump (will be replaced next season). I’ll grab some pics of steps and skimmer.

Steps definitely seem like they’ve been pushed up on one side (opposite of the crack I might add). Sound hollow on that side. I think foam and patch on steps along with a pool deck lift on that side, since it settled, should be good.

I’ll also link a video of the damage tomorrow.
I also have the original Esther Williams brochure if anyone is interested in seeing 30 yr old marketing!
IMG_2043.jpeg
Thank you all for the support!

IMG_2042.jpeg
 

Attachments

  • IMG_2038.jpeg
    IMG_2038.jpeg
    396.7 KB · Views: 7
  • Like
Reactions: Newdude
I would attempt to brace it like this, with plywood on the walls. (3ft X 3ft ?). The concrete deck likely drains away keeping the wall dirt dry and firm, but they could still wash out from below and then collapse if you got enough rain.

Screenshot_20240122_230134_Chrome.jpg


But also, if this ever happened to me, I'd go buy a waterproof tarp and refill the pool. The bracing lumber won't exactly be cheap so you have at least that much you can spend on a quality tarp and still break even.
 
Thread Status
Hello , This thread has been inactive for over 60 days. New postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For better visibility, consider Starting A New Thread.