When is it time to replace my liner?

[wayner]

My pool was built about 16-17 years ago. I still have the original liner. The liner has a pattern and the pattern is about 95% faded on the bottom of the pool - especially areas not near the walls. On the sloped sides it is about 80% faded and on the walls below the waterline it is about 50% faded. Above the waterline there is very little fading - see the picture along with an extra piece of the liner that has always been inside so it should be the original unfaded pattern..

Does the liner fade from chlorine and UV exposure? I suspect that the fading may also be wear from cleaners, especially the Kreepy Krauly that I had for many years as when it would get stuck on my ladder you would see a wear pattern.

The liner does not appear to have any holes or leaks as near as I can tell. Is there any reason, other than cosmetics, to replace the liner now? My understanding was that liners typically last about 10-12 years.

I have always had a SWCG, I tend to keep my CYA at 60 and FC around 4. I live in Toronto and my pool is uncovered from about May 15 - Oct 15. In the winter it has a mesh cover.

 

[ajw22]

Chlorine can fade the inks used on liner patterns.

Replace the liner when it starts leaking. They don’t make them the way they used to. Your pool being open half a year probably helps your liner life.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Chlorine + UV + water = oxidation and hydrolysis reactions. Chlorine also plays a part in the formation of highly reactive free radicals (especially hydroxyl radicals) which are potent and short-lived bleaching agents. The organic dyes used to make the patterns, especially the blue dyes, are extremely sensitive to bleaching and color loss. So, in short, 16 years is a pretty dang good run. You got your money’s worth out of that liner.

Pattern loss isn’t a reason to replace unless the visual appearance is driving you nuts. Wait for a leak or tear and then go for a new liner. Getting the thickest liner your wallet can afford.

 

[wayner]

Thanks everyone. Given the much more pronounced fading on the floor vs the walls it seems to me that direct UV exposure does the most fading as the chlorine exposure should be equal on the walls vs the floor. The areas in the corners that get the least sun are the least faded, which is evident in my photo as the pattern is still somewhat visible in the corner, which is the Southwest corner of my pool that gets the least sun of any of the corners.

Do cleaners like the Kreepy Krawly, or robots wear out the liner at all? I used to see a circular wear pattern around the ladder when my KK would get stuck on the ladder. But it didn't seem too bad. And for the last seven years or so I have had a robot - first a Dolphin and now a Aqua Robotics 604

 

[JoyfulNoise]

There are definitely different cleaners for vinyl versus plaster pools. Usually vinyl automatic cleaners will use foam rollers instead of harder rubber brushes to avoid mechanical damage. Also, with suction side cleaners, you want to be careful of the vacuum forces applied so that the liner isn’t stretched or pulled up. Electric robot cleaners don’t generate a lot of suction force so it’s not usually a big deal.