Repairing liner pool wall damage...

[jphill40692]

We recently inherited a 16' x 32' Grecian liner pool with an 8' deep hopper. The pool wasn't maintained well needs some TLC to get it back into shape. I'm going to DIY the renovation and am looking for some input about how to repair some wall panel damage around to suction and return fittings and the light niche. I'm assuming the damage (see attached pics) is from settling of the soil under the concrete deck over the years. I can envision that the top-tilted-back angle of the suction, return, and light niche are from the soil pressing/pulling down the fittings behind the wall. The result is some moderate cracking around the fittings. I originally thought the walls were cement or "poolkrete", but after some reading in the forums I'm thinking they may be polyester. They are about 1/2" thick and definitely not fiberglass or steel.

I'm cutting the deck next week for the new pipes (abandoning the old ones in place) and will replace the broken skimmer as well as repair the wall damage around the fittings. The light was abandoned by the previous owner and we're looking to renovate that too with a 12V LED 35W. Have to see if the existing damage niche is salvageable or needs replacing.

I'm thinking the wall damage could be repaired by screwing a 12" x 12" stainless steel backing plate on the backside of the wall, then hammering the damaged front side back into place and sealing with either a cement mix of a caulk of some kind. Then re-drill the suction or return port in the stainless steel plate and reinstall the fitting and attach to new piping.

Thanks in advance for any insight, guidance, or advice.

Jim

 

[kimkats]

This sounds like it would be a good one for @ajw22 jump in on!

 

[ajw22]

No experience with this type of problem. Maybe @jimmythegreek or @PoolguyinCT

 

[jimmythegreek]

just throw some thin galvanized sheetmetal (they actually sell repair panel material) over all the existing holes and use the thinnest head bolts you can find to sandwich it in. If you can bite into the poly material and get a grip thats even easier. make room behind the panel elsewhere for the niche and your returns, they dont need to be in same place. you can probably do better on the returns and suction, but you will need to get your fittings first to be able to template them. I like the hayward style/CMP copies for returns, the hole is tricky to cut but they wont spin when you tighten them. after all is ready throw pool wall foam over the whole thing and hang your liner you wont ever see what was left behind. This would be a great time to address locations and upgrade to more returns and possibly a second skimmer if you need it. I would check ALL the fittings, if these are bad who knows what else is on its way out. Do it once and never worry for a long time. if you need any specifics or guidance just ask specific questions and we will answer

 

[kimkats]

Jimmy on the wall foam...........what kind, where to buy, how to hang??? This will be a learning experience for me as well.

 

[kimmielea]

When they replaced my wall foam, they used a very high grade material to hold it in place... Duct Tape!

 

[kimkats]

When they replaced my wall foam, they used a very high grade material to hold it in place... Duct Tape!

You so funny!!!! hehe

 

[jimmythegreek]

all the pool suppliers sell foam in rolls for vinyl liner pools, its like an 1/8" and you use spray adhesive to attach it. Use plenty of it too, dont be shy. its a 2 person job makes it much easier. and it feels nice when u lean on the wall with the cushion, and protects your liner against anything rough or sharp from the pool walls or fittings

 

[kimkats]

So the ones I have seen where the foam fell down was probably because they skimped on the spray adhesive! Do you use a roll to help smooth it out or is this adhesive the kind that once it touches it is DONE?

Kim

 

[jimmythegreek]

You spray ahead covering the wall and take care to line up the top to liner track evenly. 1 guy goes ahead after spraying a few feet and pulls foam tight holding roll the 2nd guy uses his hands to lay it flat and tack it in. Yes it sticks right away but ita more forgiving than you would think. You cut leftover at the wall/poolbase junction it's not hard at all

 

[kimkats]

Got it! It sure does sound like a two person job! Thanks for the learning!

Kim

 

[jphill40692]

just throw some thin galvanized sheetmetal (they actually sell repair panel material) over all the existing holes and use the thinnest head bolts you can find to sandwich it in. If you can bite into the poly material and get a grip thats even easier. make room behind the panel elsewhere for the niche and your returns, they dont need to be in same place. you can probably do better on the returns and suction, but you will need to get your fittings first to be able to template them. I like the hayward style/CMP copies for returns, the hole is tricky to cut but they wont spin when you tighten them. after all is ready throw pool wall foam over the whole thing and hang your liner you wont ever see what was left behind. This would be a great time to address locations and upgrade to more returns and possibly a second skimmer if you need it. I would check ALL the fittings, if these are bad who knows what else is on its way out. Do it once and never worry for a long time. if you need any specifics or guidance just ask specific questions and we will answer

Thanks for your thoughts, Jimmy!

That's pretty much the approach I'm envisioning. And, yes, I am going to trench and replace all the fittings and pipes so I only have this project once. Can't complain about the effectiveness of the return/skimmer locations. We ran the pool in August/September (leaks and all!) and had no problems with circulation and skimming. There is no bottom drain in the pool so I am thinking of adding another return at the deep end and pointing it down into the hopper to help circulation there. Otherwise, the setup seemed to work well as every morning all "floaters" were in the skimmer basket.

Thanks!

Jim