Signs Your Pool Liner Is Failing
Do you know whether your pool liner is about to fail? You might know what a fresh new pool liner looks like, but you may not know what early signs to look for that indicate your liner needs repair.
Common Signs Your Pool Liner Needs Attention
Fading
Your pool will eventually start fading from sun exposure, but pay attention to your pool liner in particular. The lining grows more brittle with age and sun damage. Because of this, if you see noticeable fading on part or most of your pool liner, the liner is likely to start developing leaks or tears.
Wrinkles
When a pool liner has wrinkles, it can sometimes be a sign of an improperly sized liner. Alternatively, if your liner starts to develop wrinkles over time, that can indicate a noticeable change in chemical balance, temperature, or water levels. These can be early signs of issues with the pool liner.
Cracks
Pool liner is generally a slightly stretchy material that is intended to perfectly fit your pool's shape. If you spot any cracks it can be a sign your pool liner is either old enough to become brittle or there is a problem with the liner fitting to your pool.
Leaks
This is one of the later signs of an issue with your pool liner because other issues like tears, cracks, and loose bead allow leaking. But how do you tell if there is a leak or just normal water level fluctuation from evaporation?
For above-ground pools, simply observe the ground around the outside of the pool. If there are puddles and wet soil, there is likely a leak. For inground pools, it can be more challenging. A common method is to use a bucket, fill the bucket part-way, and mark where the water line is. Then, put the bucket in the water, usually on a shallow step. Mark the outside of the bucket with where the pool water line is. Finally, wait around 24 hours and check whether the water level change inside and outside the bucket are the same or drastically different.
Loose Bead
Take a look around the entire perimeter of the pool and pay attention to where the pool liner meets the top edge of the pool. This bead should be snug and flush to the edge. However, if you see gaps or if poking the bead causes visible shifting, you have loose bead and that needs to be repaired to avoid future tears and leaking.
Stretching
When looking at the pool liner, if you notice the patter looking more stretched than normal, it's possible the liner is stretching more than it should. This can make it vulnerable to tears, and as your pool liner ages it's likely to crack where it's stretched.
Tears
Pools are often a place where kids, teens, and adults can get rowdy. While fun, this can easily lead to pool toys, swimwear, sharp nails, or foreign objects tearing holes in the liner. Additionally, older pool liners or liners with wrinkles are more vulnerable to catching and tearing away on zippers or bracelets. Even a pool only used for quiet floating or morning laps only needs one unlucky tug.
Why These Signs Matter
Catching issues with your pool liner early allows you a better chance to repair your current liner. If you miss these signs or they develop faster than you can spot them, you may need to completely replace your pool liner instead.
Take a Pool Liner Assessment
Try taking our pool liner assessment to see how your pool liner rates! And if your pool liner rates poorly or you don’t know the answers to the assessment questions, give us a call and our team can help you and your pool. Our team works with homeowners from Hamburg to Reading to Kutztown to Fleetwood and beyond!
Repair or Replace Your Pool Liner?
So what is the difference between a pool liner that can be comfortably repaired and one that should really just be replaced entirely?
| Repair | Replace |
| Small punctures | Tears or large punctures |
| The liner is brand new with minor damage | The liner is several years old, even with minor damage |
| Noticing slightly higher loss of water level than expected | The liner material has become brittle |
| A noticeable amount of water loss |
Pool Liner Services Offered By Kay Pool & Spa
Inground Pool Liners
Our team has worked with many inground pools over the years, so we have experience with a wide range of pool liner problems, complications, and situations. We work with you to keep your pool investment working and safe to enjoy every summer.
Above-Ground Pool Liners
It's just as important to have strong pool liners for your above-ground pool as it is an inground. That's why all our pool liner repair and replacement services are available for above-ground pools.
Replacement
Whether you inherited a pool with your new house or it's been years since you last replaced your pool liner, we offer a complete pool liner tear-out, order, and installation. Are you looking for a particular new liner pattern? Our team helps you select and order the pool liner pattern you want. Do you have a pool with complex shapes and measurements? Our team is skilled in getting the measurements as accurate as possible before ordering.
Repairs
Many issues with pool liners can be fixed with a simple repair instead of a full replacement. We even aim to pattern match to your current liner where possible!
Custom Pool Liner Installation
Whether you have an abnormal pool shape or a complex custom backyard oasis, our team is prepared to measure, order, and install a pool liner that fits your pool's shape and aesthetic.