My liner had a good run...

[Plettschner]

Water level started dropping noticably this weekend and while inspecting for where the leak could be, I noticed this. Figured there wasn't much sense in pursuing the leak at that point and the water level seems to have stabilized, albeit about an inch or so below the low water line on skimmer. I'm figuring it's either leaking around the edges of skimmer or sides of stairs, but yeah, the liner is toast. It was several years old when we bought the house and that was 6, maybe 7 years ago.

Any suggestions on having the liner replaced now or just close pool and have it done in the spring?

However, the other concern is that the pool is of somewhat unknown vintage. It is an Equator (Series 5, I believe), steel-wall construction. No idea the condition of those steel panels. There are definitely some weird bumpy feeling spots in the liner walls. The construction is also odd due to a sloping yard. 2/3 of the pool is in ground with concrete decking and the remaining is not quite fully buried with composite decking. I can see the entire backside of the skimmer.

Fill it with dirt?

 

[PoolStored]

Any suggestions on having the liner replaced now or just close pool and have it done in the spring?

You are fighting timing. You need to have it measured, ordered, delivered and installed. As temps lower, you have higher risks with the install. Get it measured and get a quote on $$ and lead time. A competent installer can install down to 55 degrees or so. Mine had no issues at 52 degrees. They knew exactly what they were doing.

Fill it with dirt?

That is a decision only you can make. It is a nice pool. Get the quote, then decide.

However, the other concern is that the pool is of somewhat unknown vintage. It is an Equator (Series 5, I believe), steel-wall construction. No idea the condition of those steel panels. There are definitely some weird bumpy feeling spots in the liner walls. The construction is also odd due to a sloping yard. 2/3 of the pool is in ground with concrete decking and the remaining is not quite fully buried with composite decking. I can see the entire backside of the skimmer.

Inspect the area under the deck. It it looks ok, you probably are ok. My pool is at least 25 years old, liner replaced Oct 21, walls were in great shape.

 

[Plettschner]

While waiting, should I attempt to patch that hole/tear so it doesn't possibly cause a catastrophe?

 

[Newdude]

Yes. I would probably use gorilla tape so I could stick it to the bottom half of the rip, and pull up a little to relieve tension before sticking the top half.

 

[Plettschner]

Pretty sure I just came dangerously close to a problem of biblical proportions. When I put pressure on the liner to wipe it down before taping it up, it made a bang and split open!

I Gorilla Taped the poop out of it as fast as I could. Seemed to stick underwater.

 

[Bill1974]

Lucky the water was warm enough to get in and get tape on it! You still have time to get a liner and have it installed. If you close the pool and plan to have the new liner installed in the spring you run the risk of ruining the cover if the water leaks out and there is nothing to support the cover when it snows. With luck your can have it replaced before the leaves start falling.