We installed our pool in 2009 and the original liner lasted 10 years. Since we had the new line installed --all but the first year--our pool leaks all but a foot of water out every winter. We are in NC and close it from late Sept to late April. We have searched and cannot find the leak. I am going to bite the bullet and just buy a new liner. Should we buy the heaviest liner we can find? Should we get the pool mat for the bottom? Should we invest in the wall foam stuff as well? The difference in the 25 gauge and 40 gauge is almost double. If we use the mat and the foam --do we need the heavy liner. It is not terribly expensive to refill it yearly--about 70 bucks but I have to re-salt it as we use a salt water generator. What are your thoughts on the liner gauge?
Question about a new liner
- Thread starter lbrn
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,066
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Sure seems odd to have a new liner leak every year but the first. And this only happens in the winter? 
Perhaps it leaks all year but you are adding water and don't notice? Is your AGP partially sunk into the ground? No autofill installed correct? Did you have a main drain installed for your AGP?
As for the liner and prep, A mat bottom might feel better to the feet and may help protect the liner bottom if your area is prone to sharp objects or rocks. Lining the walls can also protect from jagged edges and such, but if your first liner lasted 10 years I don't know if the upgrades will do the trick if there some other underlining factor. Let's see what other ideas members have to offer.
Perhaps it leaks all year but you are adding water and don't notice? Is your AGP partially sunk into the ground? No autofill installed correct? Did you have a main drain installed for your AGP?As for the liner and prep, A mat bottom might feel better to the feet and may help protect the liner bottom if your area is prone to sharp objects or rocks. Lining the walls can also protect from jagged edges and such, but if your first liner lasted 10 years I don't know if the upgrades will do the trick if there some other underlining factor. Let's see what other ideas members have to offer.
You may not have a leak. Are you covering the pool with a solid winter pool cover? Do you plug the in-wall skimmer and return inlet with a plate and plug? Why don't you simply perform a leak test when the weather warms. Add a few inches of water to the pool and check it 24 hours later. If there is a leak at the location where the water stops draining, you can use a vinyl patch and seal it. Do the leak test first. My hunch is that there is no leak.
thefloatqueen
Bronze Supporter
Do you try to break up/move the ice on the surface of the pool during the winter? If so, that can easily cause the liner to tear. But yeah I’d go with the thickest liner you can find. For what it’s worth, the unibead liners are worth the extra money. Soooo easy to install! I’ve only had my liner (which I’m not crazy about the pattern, tbh) since August 2022 so we’ll see how it holds up. I got it from The Pool Factory when I ordered my pool and I believe it is the 25 gauge. It is very thick and heavy. It definitely doesn’t seem normal that you would need to replace yours yearly, that is why I question the ice.
EDIT: I did not opt for the foam walls, but I do have the gorilla pad on the bottom and love it!
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,073
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
The 1st place to look is the waterline around where the water level ends up. Also anywhere below that. Getting goggles on & doing an inspection of all those areas might be enlightening, look for any protruding rocks, seams, etc. If there’s a main drain that may easily be the culprit. My pool has a return jet about a foot from the floor, if you have one of those check it too. Any possible culprits can be checked with dye.
Are you noticing any wet spots around the outside of the pool or any mushy areas in the pool floor?
www.troublefreepool.com
If you isolate the issue to the liner & it doesn’t seem patchable you should inquire about the warranty since it is so new.
My swimline liner supposedly has a 25 year warranty.
They may not replace it for free but it may save you a little money.
Are you noticing any wet spots around the outside of the pool or any mushy areas in the pool floor?
Leak Detection
A number of things can cause leaks in your pool. You can learn tricks for leak detection and how to pinpoint where your pool is losing water.
www.troublefreepool.com
If you isolate the issue to the liner & it doesn’t seem patchable you should inquire about the warranty since it is so new.
My swimline liner supposedly has a 25 year warranty.
They may not replace it for free but it may save you a little money.