Leak and Drain; Multiple Large Wrinkles in Vinyl. Help!

[hleapha]

One day last week I cleaned my pool with the brush and I must have created a tear because the next morning, the pool was 50% down. I ran out assuming my pool cleaner had jumped out of the pool or something, but saw a 6" tear in the bottom corner on the shallow end. I assume that the brush tore through due to the corner not having good backing. Regardless, the water was escaping so fast I worried it would undermine the soil below the pool. I just went ahead and drained the pool down to dry the shallow end and ordered a patch kit. All this doing little research other than dipping my toes in the water and determining I could not possibly attempt an underwater patch to save 5000k gal of water.

I notice a large wrinkle in the side. Then the next day there's more. They seem to get worse although nothing is pulled down from the top retainer piece. What is the best course of action here? Do I leave it drained and try to pull a shop vac vacuum and fix it while I refill the pool? Is my liner just screwed? It was installed in 2009 and I have been religious about the pH and using BBB since it's birth.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Until you get water in there to hold up the vinyl against the walls, you're gonna be tempting fate. Of course until you get the patch kit you can't really fill it either. Do you still have water in the deep end holding that firm?

Any idea how long it will take to get that patch?

Take time to inspect the liner for any other areas of concern, in case you want to go ahead now and re-enforce them while its empty.

Maddie

 

[sktn77a]

Bummer! But if the liner is otherwise in good condition, it should be repairable. The wrinkle may come out either with the shop vac vacuum or just fill water. If that's water behind the wrinkle, may be a litle more challenging.

 

[zea3]

The longer a liner is not submerged in water the more likely it will shrink and become brittle. Water holds the liner in place, and it provide structural support for the walls of the pool. You will need to re-fill as soon as possible. Is there no where local to buy a patch kit?

 

[hleapha]

I appreciate the advice everyone. The patch kit was 2 day shipped from Amazon so I was able to start the patching. I ran into a snag trying to slap one big patch over it. Being in the corner where it's suspended, any attempts to remove air bubbles made the gash spread out. I had to do little patches first and have yet to lay the bigger patch. See pic. Since it's dark when I get home from work and with a 4 month old, it's been hard to be timely. The plan is Saturday to do the big patch. It sounds like the next step is to fill it up... some of the wrinkles around the steps look like they will need some coaxing to get straight - I fear that I will fill past the wrinkles and they'll remain. It's been so cold the liner is stiff as a board.
.

 

[hleapha]

I've patched the hole and started the refill. I have a 2 in wrinkle going all the way across the bottom the pool now as well. Is the best course of action to refill the pool all the way before trying to straighten out the wrinkles? I can't seem to do anything with them by hand.