New DIY AGP Install - Liner Issue

[FlAGP]

Hi Everyone,
My name is Mike and I have already gotten so much great information from this forum, but now I could use some expert advice. My apologies in advance for a long first post but I figure more info is better.
A bit of background: I live in east central Florida and recently purchased an 18’ Wilbar steel pool from The Pool Factory. Generally good experience with them and I installed it myself over a couple of weekends, using a transit and taking my time to ensure it was level and round, which it is. Used a ground pad, masonry sand, and foam cove.
So everything came out really good, except for the installation of the swimways overlap liner that came with the pool. The instructions were minimal and I found all types of conflicting info online, so what I did was install the liner once the wall was up and being supported by stakes, getting it as centered and even as I could. Even then the weight of the liner seemed like it wanted to pull the wall down, so I got it as tight as I could, put about 3” of water in, getting all the wrinkles out of the floor, and then installed the top plates, stabilizer bars, and top ledges before continuing to fill.
As the water came up, things were looking good until numerous wrinkles and air pockets started appearing on one side. I tried the shop vac technique, but all it did was suck down a square foot around the hose until it looked like the liner would tear on the vac hose. I continued to fill thinking these imperfections would sort themselves out, but as you can see in the pics, they didn’t.
I talked to the company and they said don’t worry about it, but I got everything else right and my OCD can’t handle these wrinkles and bubbles. Add the fact that one side of the pool turned out nice but the side everyone sees is bad.
I have two questions:

1) My current plan is to drain the pool halfway, then remove 2-3 sections of top ledge and stabilizer bars at a time trying to straighten and pull the slack out. Will this be safe and/or cause damage? Anyone ever done this? I know that it won’t be perfect but is this the right approach to fixing this?

2) What did I do wrong and what can I do to avoid this next time? I felt like it was a catch 22 as I needed the structure of the pool to get the liner tight, but couldn’t tighten with the structure built. It also seemed as if there was "too much" liner to go around, causing it to bunch up. Would a unibead liner be better?

Thank you in advance to anyone that read all this and can offer any advice!
PS: The pictures don’t do the wrinkles justice. They are an eyesore.

 

[Casey]

When filling an overlap, the liner needs adjusting as the pool water rises. Most overlap linesr have some wall wrinkling. More so if the liners aren't adjusted as it rises. Since you already cut it for skimmer install, it's done. Now it's just an eyesore. Next time, use a jhook liner in your pool size. It's so much easier.

 

[FlAGP]

When filling an overlap, the liner needs adjusting as the pool water rises. Most overlap linesr have some wall wrinkling. More so if the liners aren't adjusted as it rises. Since you already cut it for skimmer install, it's done. Now it's just an eyesore. Next time, use a jhook liner in your pool size. It's so much easier.

Thanks for the response Casey! Definitely regretting not upgrading to the jhook. May just have to bite the bullet and pick one up now while there are some still available. I'm still not clear on why the vacuum didn't work at all for me (just sucked down a square foot or so of liner until that shop vac sounded like it was going to pop and the liner would tear on the hose), as I assume I'd need to do that for a jhook install as well.

I wasn't planning on adjusting anything near the skimmer, but are you saying if I drain it down about halfway to adjust some other spots that it will shrink irreversibly and screw up the skimmer/return cutouts?

 

[Casey]

Thanks for the response Casey! Definitely regretting not upgrading to the jhook. May just have to bite the bullet and pick one up now while there are some still available. I'm still not clear on why the vacuum didn't work at all for me (just sucked down a square foot or so of liner until that shop vac sounded like it was going to pop and the liner would tear on the hose), as I assume I'd need to do that for a jhook install as well.

I wasn't planning on adjusting anything near the skimmer, but are you saying if I drain it down about halfway to adjust some other spots that it will shrink irreversibly and screw up the skimmer/return cutouts?

You cant adjust it now that you cut the skimmer n return.

 

[Wendy3tkl]

Sorry that I don't have any advice for your liner issue. I just wanted to say that your water looks AMAZING!!

I wouldn't worry about it *too much*, bc I am sure that it is more obvious and irritating to you than anyone else.

When I was looking at your pictures specifically for the wrinkles, I was still distracted by how pretty your water is! I bet your guests will love it too.

You could enhance that advantage by putting some eye catching decor around, maybe some lighting or tiki lamps, potted flowers etc.

Even as is, even though they may notice it, I believe your guests won't see it as the eyesore that you do.

I had to post bc I like your pool! It has a good vibe.

 

[Wendy3tkl]

In fact, after looking at your pics again, you could hang some vivid pool themed and brightly colored signs on the fence directly behind the wrinkles. It would draw the eyes up and away.

 

[crokett]

My experience with pools is that you're the only one that can see the wrinkles. No one else will notice them.