NEW! Updated to include overlap and beaded liners. Do you think that only the pro's can do it? Think again. Although we recommend a professional installer, with the correct tools and care most anyone can install their liner. Just follow the guide below, and you decide. A little work can save you a lot of money!
These tips now apply to above ground overlap
and beaded vinyl liners without hoppers (deep ends).
Preparation: 1) Drain all water from pool.
(you may use a sump pump, your filtration system or siphon hose)
2) Remove all ladders from pool liner area.
(and any other equipment that may obstruct liner area)
3) Remove all face plates and gaskets from inside pool area.
(i.e. thru-the-wall(s), return(s), lights, etc..)
4) Inspect all face plates, gaskets and hardware for cracks/rips and/or wear.
(replace as needed)
5) For overlap liners, remove seat clamps, pool ledges, top plates and top rail.
(basically the top end of pool)
For beaded liners, you should be able to skip this step.
6) Remove old liner.
(you can use a razor knife and cut into smaller pieces for easier removal)
7) Inspect pool base and cove for wash outs and eveness.
Repair A/G pools with a masonary sand. (for non-formed pool base)
Repair A/G pools with two parts sand to one part mortar. (for formed pool base)
8) Re-tape wall bolt seam with duct tape.
(remove old duct tape first)
9) Sweep entire pool area clean.
(must be free of pebbles, rocks, sharp edges and all debris!)
Installation:
1) Temporarily unroll your new liner in a sunny, debris free area.
(this will assist liner to stretch later on)
2) Seal the thru-the-wall skimmer area with cardboard.
(attach with duct tape on the outside of pool wall)
3) Seal the water return, lighting holes with duct tape.
(duct tape from outside of pool wall)
4) Insert 2' of shop vac hose thru the cardboarded skimmer area.
(in a downward orientation, towards the pool base)
(duct tape well, until sealed)
5) Inspect all duct taped areas. (these must be good seals)
6) Re-inspect pool base. (insure there is no debris, rocks, pebbles or rough areas!)
7) For overlap liners, attach two wooden clothes pins to each upright.
For beaded liners, step seven is not required.
8) Fold new liner in halves until it is about 2-3 feet wide and is full in length.
9) Place liner in pool area, retaining both ends and center.
(get some help! don't let the entire liner fall inside pool area!)
10) Carefully unfold liner in pool area.
(do not get inside pool, you can do this from outside of pool area)
11) For overlap liners, attach liner to pool wall using the clothes pins.
(pull liner about 6" over the wall and attach)
For beaded liners, simply snap the liner bead into liner receptor.
12) Evenly pull liner further over the wall, adjusting clothes pins as needed.
(to about 15")
For beaded liners, skip this step and go to step #13.
13) Gently brush and tap liner torwards the walls.
(this will visually assist you in the final liner setting)
14) Inspect and Adjust liner as needed.
(insure that the bottom seam is even all around the perimeter)
15) Now get some help!
Have your helpers stand around the pool perimeter to hold the wall.
(we don't want the wall to fall! This next step will happen fast!)
16) Hook up shop vac to vac hose and turn on.
(this will simulate water and suck all air out of liner area)
17) Release liner EVENLY as it tightens by releasing and attaching clothes pins.
(while doing step #18)
For beaded liners, skip this step and go to step #18.
18) Gently brush and tap liner around entire perimeter torwards the walls.
(this will remove all wrinkles)
19) Continue releasing and brooming the liner until it is seated and even!
Seating is complete when you are left with a 2" to 4" air gap between the liner and wall.
This measurement is taken at the juntion where the cove meets the wall.
Use a push broom to push on the liner in this area for your approximate air gap!
(if not, go to step #12)
For beaded liners continue brooming until the liner is even and concentric.
(if not, go to step #12)
20) Inspect liner for wrinkles and alignment, if ok continue.
(If not shut off vac and go to step#12, this is critical)
21) If all is well, start filling with water.
(DO NOT SHUT OFF VACUUM or you'll get wrinkles!!!)
22) Continue to fill until at least 1" of water covers the entire bottom of pool.
23) Shut off shop vac! (Finally!)
24) Reassemble seat clamps, pool ledges, top plates and top rail.
(while removing clothes pins)
For beaded liners, skip this step and go to step #25.
25) Continue filling pool until two feet of water covers the entire bottom of pool.
26) Remove all duct taped seals. (return and feed lines, steps, etc..)
27) Install all skimmers, returns, lights, etc..,
(find at least two holes per item and punch out with awl).
(This will help with alignment)
Now populate all screw holes, tighten evenly.
28) Carefully cut out all liner material from gasketed areas.
(returns, skimmers, lights, etc..)
29) Hook up filtration system and any accessories.
30) Fill to appropriate operational level.
31) Add your start up chemicals.
32) Enjoy!!!
Required Tools and Supplies:
1) Duct tape
2) Shop vac
3) Soft bristled push broom
4) Tape measure
5) Extension cord
6) Awl or punch
7) Screwdrivers
8) Razor knife
9) Sump pump
10) Wooden spring-loaded clothes pins
11) Garden hose
12) Possibly five gallon pail
13) Possibly landscaping rake
14) Possibly pre-washed masonary sand
15) Possibly flat shovel
16) Possible mortar mix
My Background in this Industry: I was raised in a family who has had a long history in the Swimming Pool Industry. For example, my grandfather was Chief Engineer for Muskin Pools for years, (back when they started business in Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania), and he eventually became the Chief Operations Manager. Subsequently, Muskin employed my grandmother, mother, uncles, and father for many years to follow. In fact, my father was one of the first on ground pool installers who traveled throughout the U.S.A. installing pools for Muskin Pool customers. I even remember when I was twelve years old, my cousin and I would help our fathers install pools locally in Northeast Pennsylvania!
At the age of sixteen I decided to install pools during my schools summer vacation. I ran my own installation crew for Olympic Pools. I enjoyed it and people were quite surprised as to the quality of work a bunch of kids did! Since that time I have installed pools for Prestige Pools, Northeast Pools, Quality Pools, Poseidon Pools, and naturally for myself.
Over the years I have learned how to Install and repair swimming pools the correct way, the best way, and the most cost effective way. None of which degrades from the other. However, over the years I have also witnessed shrewd salesmen giving false information to customers in order to profit. Additionally, I have seen incompetent installers perform shoddy work and take advantage of their customers for the same purpose. Therefore, I am writing this article so that people can perform these tasks for their selves, or at least have the proper information to know if their pool related project is being done correctly.
Enjoy your summer, and stay cool!
Email:
Questions@BubbasPools.com
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