So I have had this bubble problem since last season. Last season it was a relatively small bubble on the shallow end of my pool. This year though it has gotten much larger and I assume it is water under the liner but I have no real experience with this. I have gone under with goggles several times to look around but I can't see any obvious holes in the liner. Has anyone experienced something similar how did you fix it? Am I right to assume this must be a leak?
Large bubble on vinyl liner at the bottom of pool
- Thread starter Smehltrett
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Hayseed
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Punch a hole in it and let the air from the bubble escape. Just kidding of course. This really sounds bazaar, is it possible to be a natural gas pocket leaching up through the ground, from a very slow leaking gas line? Or just gas that is naturally in the ground? since you can't tunnel over to it under ground because of causing the liner to fail, putting a hole to let this escape may not be so far fetched after all. Get repair kit ready.
I can't imagine its gas I suspect it could be water under the liner though I just really don't know. Its quite large and I am out of ideas may have to pay someone to come take a look
No, do not punch a hole it it! It is most likely ground water. Are you in an area with a high water table? Have you had a lot of rain recently? Does it feel mushy? Are there any bodies of water nearby?
I dont think so have a high water table and it's been dry for a few weeks now. We did have a ton of rain early in the season but it hasnt subsided at all with this dry spell. It's about the diamter of a basket ball or soccer ball I'd say. Just this one spot no where else
I have seen many a liner pools with water under the liner but never like you describe. Water will flow out. Sounds like you have something under there and growing or being pushed up. A tree root maybe ?
I have felt all around and I didnt feel anything out of the ordinary the ground feels normal just that water pocket under the liner. Unfortunately it's really hard to take a picture of since I cant take my phone under the water. I guess at this point I should probably bite the bullet and call someone in to take a look.
How close to the edge / wall is this. You might trying unhooking the liner and getting a piece of hose / plastic pipe down there. Taping the pipe to a broom handle will help to push it down and grease it. Attach a wet dry vacuum and see if it will suck that bubble out. Be sure to tape around the liner where the hose goes in to make it air tight.
It's like 3 feet from the wall this might be doable but sounds a little scary. I'm convinced its defintely water under there was poking at it today.
It probably is water, the next question is where is it coming from. It doesn't sound like you have a pool leak, since you haven't mentioned having to top off the pool frequently. Are there any water supply lines that run through that area?
Thats a good question. The return lines are off to the side so I don't think its coming from there. It could very well be a small leak in the liner but I can't seem to find it for the life of me. I do have to top off at least once or twice a week but its not very significant maybe run the hose for like an hour or two tops.
& if this works, how do propose removing the hose from the water pressure?
GOONiE
0
that's what the grease is for.
Sounds like water to me albeit it's kind of odd that it's shaped like a basketball. How old is the liner?
What happens to the bubble when you push on it? Can it be moved around by pushing on it?
I am doubting it is water under the liner unless the ground water is higher than the pool water level. Physics simply will not let a water bubble exist under the liner unless that is the case. The same goes for air. No way air (gas) could be trapped with that much downward water pressure. The water would force it to the edges and release it up the sides of the liner.
Dan
I am doubting it is water under the liner unless the ground water is higher than the pool water level. Physics simply will not let a water bubble exist under the liner unless that is the case. The same goes for air. No way air (gas) could be trapped with that much downward water pressure. The water would force it to the edges and release it up the sides of the liner.
Dan
So its not like a full blown basketball its about the diamter of one but maybe only a quarter of the height. When you push on it it will go down and then just pop back up. Its on the shallow end and its the only spot that is doing this so that makes me question how it could be ground water. If its not water or air then what could it be just a stretched out liner or something? I am not sure how old the liner is as I have only owned the house for 2 years. If i had to guess I would say 8 years old maybe given what the previous owner told me. I am thinking I might call the local pool shop and see what they would charge to take a look at it.
In regarding the hose. I never have had an issue pulling them back up. Taping a broom handle really helps. I use a 3/4 poly black plastic pipe and it will not collapse neither. Use a ribbed vacuum hose and you can leave it there, lol.
OP, so you are saying 10 to 12" in diameter and 4" inch high ? And the floor around that area is not spongy as if water was under it ? Never seen anything like that. Maybe try and push it over to the edge with your brush and it might burp up the sidewall. For it to be just water doing that it seems to me that the liner in that spot has to be thin and weak or it would be spread out across the bottom and that size of "bubble" would equal 1/32" of an inch of water across the bottom that you would never know was there.
OP, so you are saying 10 to 12" in diameter and 4" inch high ? And the floor around that area is not spongy as if water was under it ? Never seen anything like that. Maybe try and push it over to the edge with your brush and it might burp up the sidewall. For it to be just water doing that it seems to me that the liner in that spot has to be thin and weak or it would be spread out across the bottom and that size of "bubble" would equal 1/32" of an inch of water across the bottom that you would never know was there.
Incase anyone was following this here is an update. I was able to finally work the bubble over to he wall which got rid of it. It did leave a wrinkle but over time it smoothed out. Fast forward a few weeks and after some heavy rain it's starting to happen again. I believe it's because the brick coping around the pool was never caulked by the previous owner. It's definitely water getting under the liner so I need to take care of the caulking and I think it will solve it .
Very unlikely the brick to deck interface is the culprit. The furthest decking looks like it pitches to the pool?