Sure enough, a swimming pool can bring so much enjoyment and happiness to you and your family. But, you also have to consider that, just as any other thing, it needs maintenance.
If you have a swimming pool in your home, one of the things that you should consider is tearing of the pool liner.
Here are 8 ways on how to repair a pool liner:
- Make sure there is a leak.
- Clean the area.
- Choose the patch suitable for the size of your leak.
- Prep your patch.
- Apply the patch adhesive.
- Stick the patch to the leak.
- Hold the patch in place.
- Double patch if necessary.
Let’s get started!
How To Repair A Pool Liner
Tip No. 1: Make sure there is a leak
Simply because your pool is losing water does not always indicate that there is a leak.
You have to remember that most pools lose between 3 and 5 inches of water each day due to evaporation throughout the summer. To sum it up, that equates to around 25,000-50,000 gallons of water each year!
So before you determine that you really must patch your pool liner, verify if there is a leak to repair and find it.
As a standard guide, if you're losing an inch or more of water every day, that means you've got a leak.
There are many ways to determine this. Here are two of those methods:
Bucket method
To do this, just put a five-gallon bucket filled with water near your pool. Then, after marking the water line in your bucket and pool (while turning off the pump), leave it alone for 24 hours.
After 24 hours, if the water level in your pool is lower than the water level in your bucket, you most likely have a leak.
Ink method
This method assumes you are quite certain you have a leak and have a basic sense of where it is.
You'll need a leak-finding kit or some dark food coloring to do this test. Then, while wearing goggles, inject a little amount of color in the region where you believe the leak is.
If there is a leak, the dye will flow gradually toward it, flowing out with the rest of the water.
Tip No. 2: Clean the area.
After making sure that you have a leak, clean the area and prepare it for patching up.
Any trash, algae, sunscreen, or other material attached to your pool walls makes it more difficult for a patch or adhesive to attach.
So gently clean the vinyl surrounding the hole with a non-abrasive scouring pad.
Avoid scrubbing. This may make the hole bigger, and you wouldn’t want that to happen.
Caution: Unless absolutely required, we highly advise against emptying your pool. If you find yourself in need of draining your pool for whatever reason, contact a professional for assistance.
Remember that most of the repairs must be done underwater since draining your pool may allow it to collapse or cause more liner damage.
Additionally, sunshine exposure may cause a dry liner to become brittle and inefficient.
Tip No. 3: Choose the patch suitable for the size of your leak
Patches come in a variety of styles, including peel-and-stick, vinyl kits, and patch material. The kind you choose will be determined by the leak's location and your own preference.
The sort of patch you need depends on the location and extent of the leak.
If the leak isn’t too big, waterproof tape or a peel-and-stick repair will suffice. If the rip is bigger, you'll need a decent patch kit.
Tip No. 4: Prep your patch.
Whichever method of patching you use, be careful to prepare it first. This involves reducing it to the right size or topping it with your waterproof tape to create a patch that properly covers the area.
Ensure that the patch is at least several inches bigger than the hole or tear that caused the leak.
Tip No. 5: Apply the patch adhesive
After making sure your patch is prepped, it’s now time to apply your adhesive. If it is not included in your patch kit, you may go the extra mile by buying one.
Ensure that the glue is applied to the back of the patch, not the lining.
Tip No. 6: Stick the patch to the leak
In this step, you have to make sure that the patch sticks to the leak smoothly. Level out any seams and gently push out any bubbles, if there are any, with your fingers.
Tip No. 7: Hold the patch in place.
Hold the patch firmly in place for a few minutes to allow the glue to set. Apply pressure for 24 hours if necessary.
This may be achieved by placing a weighted item on it if it is at the bottom of the pool, or by utilizing a clamp of some kind on the pool wall.
Tip No. 8: Double patch if necessary.
Placing a second patch over the first will not strengthen your repair, but if it makes you feel more secure, then you can double up.
To do this, make sure the first patch has fully dried before applying the second.
Cut the second patch at least two inches wider in diameter than the first patch (four inches larger than the hole) and repeat the same process as you did with the first patch.
Make Your Pool Liner Repair More Efficient
With all the steps mentioned above, you might also consider these to make your repair more effective:
Prep your things ahead of time.
Before you begin, place all of your tools alongside the pool. It's difficult to get in and out of the pool to grab what you need.
Work quickly.
While the glue is waterproof, the less it comes into touch with water, the better.
It adheres better if you can get it to the surface rapidly and put it on.
One of the things you can do is to fold the patch in half with the adhesive on the inside. Then, immerse it in water and unfold it just before sticking it to the leak.
Call the experts
Your patchwork, no matter how well done, may eventually fall apart.
Furthermore, you can only repair the same holes so many times before they become larger and larger.
It's not your fault; it's simply part of owning a pool.
In cases when simple patching doesn’t do the job, you might want to consider calling the pool professionals.
Clean Living Pool and Spa is committed to delivering the highest-quality pool repair service in Las Vegas. Aside from pool repair, they also do pool maintenance and consulting services.
So, if you notice that your pool liner is tearing at the seams and patching up won’t fix it, Clean Living Pool and Spa would be very happy to assist you.
Call them here and let’s get that pool some fixin’!
