Is the liner of your pool looking a bit worn down? The typical vinyl pool liner will last from 10 to 15 years, although there are several factors which may affect its lifespan. Residing in a region prone to ground water issues may decrease the life of your pool liner, as it can’t keep the water in the pool balanced. If the liner was made to improper specifications, that also will cause premature wear and tear.
Keep a close eye out for the following signs that it may be time to replace your pool liner.
Tearing and Cracking
Vinyl liners deteriorate over a period of time, because of pool chemical exposure and the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Regularly inspect your pool liner for tears or cracking, which may be symptomatic of larger issues (such as water leakage). If you see cracks, make certain to keep a close eye on the water level for 1 – 2 weeks. If the level of water dips by more than 1”, you are probably dealing with 1 or more leaks.
It is vital to get a pool service professional to assess the liner of your pool as fast as they can to nip issues in the bud. Patching it may be possible, although it depends on the liner’s age. As vinyl gets older it’ll become brittle, meaning a patch will no longer bond with it.
Staining and Fading
The pool liner will naturally fade over time as it gets older and is exposed to UV rays and chemicals. However, you will want to keep an eye out for substantial algae buildups or rust stains, because they might be challenging to remove.
Stretching, Slipping, and Wrinkling
Vinyl liners, over time, lose some of their elasticity and plasticity. You may see the liner beads in many areas or it slips out of the track, symptoms that it is stretching too much. You also should keep an eye out for loose fittings around the pool’s skimmer and return jets.
It is better not to attempt to “squeeze” more life out of the liner of the pool. It may damage the pool and necessitate costly, additional repairs.
Leaking
If you’re able to locate the leak, you may have the ability to patch it and get some more seasons out of the pool liner. However, if you cannot find it, you will have to replace the pool’s liner. Not doing so will cause seeping water to corrode the pool’s walls, as well as wash away the sand underneath, and create hazardous sink holes.
What’s the Best Time to Replace the Liner of your Pool?
The best time to replace the liner of your pool is in the fall or spring, as you will not lose any of those valuable summer months as you are looking to use the pool. Also, spring usually is the busiest time of the year, which is the reason why it is vital to arrange early to make sure the process will be completed as effectively as possible.
For more information on our pool liner repair services contact UV Pools today!