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How To Repair a Pool Liner

WRITTEN BY: Inyo Pools

3.5 out of 5 stars on 9 ratings
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Problems with your pool liner are generally caused by a leak or a misaligned liner bead that, if left unattended, could cause considerable damage. Repairing a damaged liner is easy if you know how. Following are some simple steps most do-it-yourselfers can follow to fix a pool liner. For More Above Ground Pools

Step by Step

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Step 1

Determine the exact problem with your liner. It could have sprung a leak, the bead could be out of its track or the liner may need to be reset or replaced. Eliminate the possibility that the excess water may be caused by a drainage runoff or a spliced sprinkler line.

Step 2

Look for the source of the leak and repair tiny holes with a vinyl liner patch kit. You'll need a "wet" patch kit if the leak is located under the water.

Step 3

Use a coin to Indicate any possible leak sites. Remember that you can substitute food coloring or an expired bottle of pH reagent for store-bought dye. Turn the pool filter off for 60 minutes and squirt dye next to your marker. If the dye is drawn to it, you have located the source of the leak.

Step 4

Make a temporary patch by covering the leak with patch material, heavy plastic or a piece of inner-tube. The water pressure will keep it secure.

Step 5

Create a deep gully, drain the water from your pool, lift up the liner and pour dry sand through a funnel. Fill any empty spaces if escaping water has formed a deep gully. Using material from a repair kit, cut a round patch double the size of the tear, then thoroughly coat the patch with cement. If you're repairing an underwater leak, keep the cement dry by folding the patch in half. Quickly replace the temporary patch with a permanent one and smooth out any air bubbles.

Step 6

Apply heat with a heat gun or blow dryer to stretch and lock your liner back in to its track. Another technique for realigning your bead is to apply boiling water. If the problem persists, consider a liner lock. You also may want to seek professional advice.

Step 7

Reset your liner and use a vacuum to eliminate any air between the liner and the walls and floor. Remove the vacuum after the water has reached a specific location on the wall and allow the pool to refill. This guarantees a correct fit and will reduce wrinkles in your liner.

Step 8

Consider replacing your vinyl liner if it is old and has been repaired several times.

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(1 to 6 of 6)

Terri Posted: 8/6/2019

If you have a lot of wrinkles on the bottom of the pool.. can they be stretched out when empty
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InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 8/9/2019

A liner pool should only be drained when you are replacing that liner. When the water is drained, the vinyl liner tends to shrink and likely not be able to restretch to its original form. The shrinking can cause rips leading to a need for a whole new liner. If you have wrinkles in the pool bottom, you will likely have to live with them for the time being.
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InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 6/18/2012

Mark - I'm assuming you have a beaded liner. You should be able to snap the bead into the bead receiver that on top of the wall and under the Top Rails.
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Mark Posted: 6/16/2012

How do I get the old liner back in track
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Anonymous Posted: 8/12/2009

Do you carry dye to find a leak in a above ground pool
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gator123 Posted: 12/30/2008

This article was very helpful. I used the vinyl liner repair kit with no problems!
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