I have observed over three decades that the average decent quality above ground swimming pool lasts between 10 and 20 years. Sometimes pool owners will replace their pool because its top rails are too rusty or some of the uprights and pieces of bottom track have rusted out. Mostly though, people decide that their pool is dead because it has a rusty or corroded wall. And this is what makes an above ground pool no good anymore as it’s the wall that holds all the water.
Most of the time, a rusty pool wall is noticed when a liner is changed. The pool gets drained and then the existing liner is removed which exposes the interior wall. A sinking feeling is experienced when you see that the interior wall is rusty. You’ve already bought a pricey replacement liner. You start to ask yourself, “Is this normal? How bad is it? Can I fix this? How do I fix this?” As you climb out of the pool to go look for that can of Rust-Oleum you bought two years ago, you wonder how bad this rusty wall really is and instead go search on the Internet.
You’re Going to Have to Do Some Poking Around
This blog post is about advanced wall repair for above ground pools, but before I can tell you about that you must find out if you need it. Most of the time the discovered rust on the inside of the pool wall is just surface rust and not much of an issue. With surface rust you can maybe get some sandpaper, sand the rusty areas smooth, and then use that can of Rust-Oleum you found and the wall is good to go.
What if it’s more than just surface rust? Maybe the rust is falling off in small pieces and looks pretty bad and deep. What’s important here is the wall’s integrity. The wall of an above ground pool wall has to hold thousands of pounds of water so if the rust has eaten its way deep into the steel or aluminum, it may no longer be strong enough to hold the water. A wall can look pretty bad and still be fine, but if there are spots where it has rusted all the way through then that is bad and cause for alarm. To find out, take a medium-sized screwdriver and poke at the rust. Scrape off any loose pieces of rust and firmly poke those areas. If the screwdriver pokes completely through the wall, then that’s not good. It may not be the end, but it’s not good.
Some Holes Are Worse Than Others
So you’ve poked around the rust and the screwdriver went all the way through in a couple of spots. That’s always bad, but you may still be OK. A small rust hole that’s located high up the pool’s wall is usually alright.In that case I will cut a small square of roofing tin or some kind of sheet metal and use duct tape to secure it in place over
the area. I do this only to protect the new liner I’m about to install from the rust as this repair adds no strength to the wall.
If the rust holes are closer to the bottom of the pool’s wall, then that’s worse and should possibly require more than just a simple patch job. The reason a hole lower down is concerning is because the water creates more outward pressure there at the bottom. A rust hole at the bottom of the wall is much more likely to tear open under pressure and cause a “blowout” than one nearer to the top. In most cases a small hole towards the bottom of the wall won’t cause a blowout. I usually tell the pool owner about it, tape some tin over it, install a new liner and it holds. Though, there is always the possibility that it won’t hold and I leave the decision up to them. I’ll show them the concerning rusted area, give them the odds of whether I think it’ll hold or not, and let them tell me either to proceed with the change of the liner or wait and get it repaired. Worst-case Scenario
Worst-case Scenario
It has come down to this. Let’s say you have a lot of rust toward the bottom of your pool wall and it has rusted all the way through. What now? Well, there are three options at this point. You can tape over the rusty areas with some kind of sheet metal, install a new liner, fill the pool back up and hope for the best. This is a viable option for many as they have already purchased a replacement liner and don’t have the money for a new pool. Many times this is the best decision for them as the wall holds up and they get to have their pool. Though, with this option, you may not be so lucky, because if it doesn’t hold, you’re out the cost of the new liner, the installer (if you didn’t do it yourself), and all the lost water and chemicals.
The second option is not to take the chance and get a whole new wall. Or at least that’ll be what you think you’ll do until you try to find a replacement wall. It’s not easy to get just a replacement wall for an above ground pool as manufacturers don’t like to provide them for models which are more than a couple of years old. That’s OK though as you would soon find out, because if you do get lucky and find a replacement wall it’ll be way expensive. At that point in the story, people usually opt to get a whole new pool as the price is just slightly more than for just a wall.
The third option is to repair the wall. This is rarely done, though. The reason for this is not because it’s too expensive, looks bad, or doesn’t hold. Repairing a rusty above ground pool wall is rarely done, because there are not many people who know how to do it. Over the years I have learned by way of trial and error that there is only one true way to repair a wall and that is to add a new piece of wall from top to bottom.
The Only Guaranteed Way to Repair a Rusty Wall
Over the years I’ve tried to repair damaged pool walls in many ways. It was easy to experiment as people facing an apparent pool replacement would take a chance on my repair. I started by just duct taping some rigid steel sheeting over the holes and some failed. Then I would bolt the pieces of sheet metal to the existing wall all the way around the rust holes. Some failed. Then I tucked bigger pieces of sheet metal into the pool’s bottom track and upward to cover the holes and bolted them. Still some fails.
I finally realized that I needed to reinforce the damaged wall’s integrity from top to bottom and not just in the local bad spots. So, this is what has to be done:
- Get an entire piece of above ground pool wall.
This may be the hardest part of the above ground pool repair for the do-it-yourselfer. The two ways to get an entire piece of pool wall are from an old pool that has been taken down or by buying a piece from a pool maker. The wall piece should be at least 4’ long or long enough to cover all the bad areas of your pool wall.
- Get at least 30 stainless flathead steel bolts and nuts and four pieces of metal steel channel.
You’ll use these to bolt your new piece of wall to your existing pool wall.
- Place the new wall piece against the pool’s wall on the inside.
You’ll have to move away the bottom cove in that area so the wall piece can fit right up against the existing wall from top to bottom.
- Line up the metal channels to the edge of the wall piece and drill holes all the way through.
You’ll be drilling holes from the inside of the pool through the inside and outside steel channel, the wall piece, and the existing wall from top to bottom.
- Bolt everything together through the drilled holes.
Make sure the nuts and bolts are nice and tight.NOTE: If I’m not making sense here, you can look at the way the pool wall was bolted together orginally and do the same thing with this.
- Use duct tape to fasten the bolts on the inside from top to bottom.
Do it like they did with the pool’s existing wall bolts.
- Replace the coves at the bottom and you’re done.
Now you’ll have a piece of wall covering the bad place in the existing wall. And it’s bolted from top to bottom on both ends so the wall cannot split open when filled.
This is not an easy repair, but works well when done right. If you have a pool wall that has rusted away badly, my advice is to get a new pool to replace the wall and frame completely. If you don’t have the cash then try this. It may save you money, if you do it right.
i would like to know how to repair my old above ground pool, it has a hole at the bottom of the wall, just where the ladder base make pressure at the bottom inside the pool.
thanks in advance, to any body that can help me or guide me to repair it.
Have you attempted to use a waterproof patch on the liner where the hole is under the ladder? Maybe try Flex Seal tape. You might want to first check with the manufacturer to make sure that it works well with chlorine
Thanks a lot
You’re welcome!
I started building a 18’x 52” pool , leveled ground as good as possible placed blocks under each leg, went by instructions online and started putting wall up and assembling the side legs one at a time, but when I reach the end the pool wall is 2” away from the other end of the wall?… how do I get the ends to meet to get the screws in?…..
I started building a 18’x 52” pool , leveled ground as good as possible placed blocks under each leg, went by instructions online and started putting wall up and assembling the side legs one at a time, but when I reach the end the pool wall is 2” away from the other end of the wall?… how do I get the ends to meet to get the screws in?…..
I found holes rusted through at botton of the wall during liner change, I rivoted metal patches and taped over but when using shop vac during filling I heard air apparantly being sucked through the wall I am thinking I did not see all the holes before liner was installed these holes are at bottom track, now that water is in is there a good way to patch the hole from outside, NOTE some of the pool is below grade but I still can get to them from outside
I have an above ground pool that has a blow out section where the hose and skimmer attach. It’s a bolted in section 48″ in height and about 4 feet wide. The part where the hose attaches has rusted and the liner is exposed.
Where can I find this section to buy
I had a leak from the external part of the return jet that went unnoticed for a while. It resulted in rust along the side and bottom of that panel. I don’t believe there is a leak in the liner or any rust on the interior wall of the pool. How can I remedy the situation? Could I use rust remover then spray the panel with rustoleum primer? I haven’t been able to get in touch with any pool stores that work on above ground pools in my area.
Hi
Have you had any luck figuring out what to do? I’ve got something similar going on.
I am looking for the metal stabilizers that fit over the plastic coping clips on a 24ft overlap above ground pool liner. Any suggestions where to find them ?
Do you know the make and model fo the pool? If you do not, we can help identify it for you, follow the instructions here: Identify My Above Ground Pool
I have decided to flip the top to the bottom and seal or path all rusted areas, please let me know if that a good idea
You mentioned to get 4 pieces of metal steel channel. Flat? Or like U shape? Because when I googled metal steel channel…all images shows “U” shaped channels. I’m ready to do my pool wall repair but I gotta have it the right way as I understood how it’s being done. Thank you for your time.
I’m 69 years old. I did write to you over last winter, but I don’t think I got a reply. I got two pattered aluminum splice sleeves five inches wide which was used years ag on a friends pool repair. I would like your opinion . The split goes almost to the bottom and it still has a ways to go . I have it secured by a ten by fifteen inch piece of 3/4 inch plywood so far it remainsin waiting for the final decision.
Tom
We just got a 27 foot round above ground pool. Can we put the top of the pool in the bottom track repair the small rust areas. So basically flip it
hi, that is a good idea, I just have a hole at the bottom of the wall, just when the ladder base attaach the wall inside the pool. how do I do that..?
Had new liner installed along with rust repair. Noticed crack in bottom wall of pool and it’s bluging Pool guy said he can fix this.. what do you think. Right now I duck taped it.
I noticed small holes (bubbles on outside of pool wall) in different places recently. Does that mean my liner has holes in it in those places? I am constantly fighting algae as well and cannot for the life of me keep it clean lately. I am tired of wasting chemicals. We plan to replace liner next year just don’t know what to do to finish out this year.. Please help..
My pool has bent at the top of the wall, it kinked and bent inward about 8 inches down. I believe the sand under the pool settled and the liner pulled down the wall as it filled. It’s a 26 ft. round pool. i’m draining it and plan to redo the sand or install styrofoam. Can the wall be repaired?
I have a 6 year old 27’ft pool and got a 1/2 hole about 3 inches from the bottom and leaked the water out, it is at a vacation home so it was too late when I found it. I ended up taking the walls down so it didn’t blow down and found 3 other areas of rust on the bottom of the wall. I am thinking of screwing a stainless panel with bolts and metal bracing over the skimmer similar to the joint for wall or finding a stainless skimmer panel bolting that on, flipping the wall over and fixing the 3 rust spots. My thinking is that at least the bad areas would be at the top where I could access them. Is this a bad idea
My liner is literally breaking off the frame in 3 places
I think it must be dry rotten. Is there any kind of materials to glue to it and make it stick back to the frame before the whole thing gives way😬
My Pool is an 18 foot round and I have 4 panels that have rusted completely out of the track on the ground. I was going to try some reinforcement ideas but my concern is a blowout since its the bottom of the pool and its out of the track.
I would be concerned too. The only way to know if you can do a wall repair is to see the inside of the pool’s wall. You may want to wait until it’s liner change time because you’ll need a new liner after you inspect the inside of the wall.
Hi Dan, I have a big problem. I have a 27ft above ground. While installing a new sand filter we noticed there is a hole at the bottom of the pool that has rusted though, sadly my pool is filled with approximately 18,000 gallons of water. The liner is also coming through the hole. I’m sure the pool is beyond repair at this point. Is there any way to save the pool or am I having to look to replace it.
By this, it sounds like it’s new pool time. Unless you can find someone to do an advanced wall repair AND the wall can be saved.
Thank you Dan. Your new name is The Pool Doctor! Very informative! We are working on our pool tomorrow. I read this in preparation for taking the liner out tomorrow. Pool draining out today! Wish me luck!
Thank you and good luck!!!
Dan,
My pool walls are completely damaged and are off the pool I’m looking for new walls and bottom track I’m not getting no help anywhere the pool structure is in good shape and any help?
Buy a whole new pool, Rich. Just take my word for it.
Dan,
I have a 7 year old 24′ round above ground pool. 2 years ago I had a rust through spot on the wall repaired. It was done by a local pool service. They were able to insert a 10 inch by 12 inch rigid patch (not sure if it was metal or plastic) between the liner and the inside wall. Well now this spot is leaking again (not sure if tape around patch has failed or what) and I have another rust through spot 10 feet away! Holes are pretty small and half way or higher up on the wall. Would this type of damage be a candidate for a metal patch held with duct tape if I try to repair them myself (I have photos if that helps) ?
I would have to see pics but my concern is that a patched hole in the metal wall shouldn’t cause a hole in the liner. You’ll want to see why the liner is leaking first and then deal with the metal wall.
I am tempted to do this repair. I’ve watched a video by you or someone else using the shoe string pattern the same way you’re describing. My next move is material, possibly from a salvage yard for wall section and trimming it to fit the rusted split skimmer panel. I’ll keep you posted. Any suggestions would be welcomed.
Have a good day.
Just make sure the metal you use is as strong as the existing pool wall. And don’t forget to bolt it top to bottom on both ends of the new piece to the existing wall. Bolt it like the existing pool wall is bolted together and it will hold.
Hi Dan,
loved the article on how to fix the pool wall and saw one person mentioned getting steel wall sheets from an hvac place – and i want to bolt in a piece as suggested – top to bottom both sides – but i cant. That side of the 24 foot round pool that rusted is dug down maybe two feet into the ground and the deck is over that area of ground with not enough working area under the deck to remove the dirt and tighten the bolts. My pool was placed on a sloping lot so the far side is not in the ground or covered by deck. The length of compromised wall is roughly 5 ft. i have not yet seen the rust but I have felt it thru the liner that it pricked tiny holes in – i patched those just to hobble thru last summer) If i could get an extra long piece – a piece much longer than needed – perhaps 8 ft for a five foot rust spot – would massive amounts of gorilla glue and duct tape work if I need to use something other than bolts? it would not blow out because the earth holds it in place but i worry the rust could continue upward on the wall? There are no leaks or holes or rust that I can feel above the ground level of 2 ft.,
Your thinking is good in that the pool won’t blow out due to it being in the ground 2 feet. So in that case, just putting something on the rusted area is all that is needed because you only need to protect the new liner from the rusty wall. I would probably duck tape a nice sized piece of sheet metal to the inside of the wall and install the new liner.
that is awesome – will do and thank you so very very much! 🙂
I have a 24×54 8n above ground pool . Water somehow got in between the pool wall and the liner and rusted a hole smaller then a penny , not to mention my air pillow somehow popped and the pool froze over completely. This is only the first year I have a pool ( came with the house I moved into ) should I be concerned can it be repaired or is the pool shot ?
I’ll get right on that , thanks for the help
It’s hard to say without me seeing at least a pic of it. And you really need to see the inside of the pool’s wall to see how bad the rust is.
Can I paint an approximately 12 or 13 year old above ground pool. The pool wall, supports, and top rail are metal the brackets on the top rail are resin. We are putting a new liner in this Spring and I was thinking of repainting to give it a fresher look. The pool appears to be structurally fine with no noteable rust. The walls are faded and stained. Any advice is appreciated!
Yes you can but I have never seen anyone paint the resin parts of their pool so I’m not sure how that would go or look.