Activities That Can Wreck Your Pool Liner

A backyard above ground or inground swimming pool provides a fun and relaxing oasis for the entire family. When it comes to pool maintenance, most homeowners are aware of the importance of swimming pool supplies like sanitizers and pH balances. However, fewer homeowners know about the importance of pool liner maintenance. Although pool equipment and liners are designed to be durable and weather resistant, they are not indestructible. Pool liner repair and replacement can be an expensive and time-consuming endeavour, and many homeowners dread the day they will need to replace their liner. Thankfully, you can protect your pool liner and extend its lifetime by taking certain precautions. Here, we have curated a list of activities to protect the integrity of your pool liner.  

Pay Attention To Pool Chemistry

One of the most important aspects of pool maintenance is balancing the chemistry of your water. A variety of swimming pool supplies are readily available to help you take control of your water chemistry. Sanitizers and shock help to kill bacteria, algae, and other biological organisms that can grow on your liner and in your equipment, wreaking havoc on your pool system. pH balancers help to either increase or decrease the pH of your water to keep it balanced at approximately neutral pH. This helps to protect the safety of swimmers and pool equipment that are sensitive to corrosive conditions.

One mistake that can be devastating to pool liners is overusing or underusing chemicals when it comes to pool chemistry. Underusing chemicals can lead to corrosive conditions or overgrowth of algae. These water conditions can stain or corrode liners and ultimately require pool liner repair and replacement. Overusing chemicals can also lead to corrosive conditions and dangerous sanitizer levels that can degrade your liner and endanger swimmers. Proper water chemistry requires frequent testing and water treatment to find the delicate balance of chemicals that protect both you and your equipment.

Most swimming pool stores offer free water quality testing to help you keep an eye on your pool water composition. At Seaway Pools & Hot Tubs, our two store locations in Newmarket and Markham offer free water quality testing for swimming pools and spas. Once we have analyzed your water, we can help recommend swimming pool supplies to keep your water balanced and safe for the whole family.

Keep An Eye On Water Level

Both inground and above ground pools are designed to hold water all year round. One common mistake of homeowners is to completely drain the water from their inground or above ground pool during the winter. The water in your pool helps to protect the liner from UV damage. Draining your pool can expose your liner to the sun’s damaging rays and result in a warped and faded liner that needs to be replaced. When it comes to above ground pools, the water also helps the pool to hold and maintain its shape. Without water in the pool, the liner can no longer hold its shape and is susceptible to further buckling and damage.

The water line in your pool is also an area susceptible to microbial growth and fading from the sun. Many homeowners choose to take special care with their water line by cleaning it with a manual or even a robotic vacuum. This can help prevent stains and algae build-up that cause fading and reduce your liner’s aesthetic quality.

Fix Leaks Promptly

Sometimes, it may seem like a small leak is not a big issue. With small tears in your pool liner, you may be tempted to either ignore the damage or repair it with homemade solutions. Although waterproof tape or patch kits can be effective as temporary solutions, the integrity of your liner will still be compromised. If you do not seek professional repairs or more permanent solutions, you may cause irreversible damage to your pool liner. You will then be left with no choice but to seek an expensive and time-consuming pool liner repair and replacement service. Alternatively, to extend your pool liner’s longevity, we recommend seeking professional assistance with small leaks as soon as they are identified.

Don’t Forget Winter Care

A backyard pool is usually closed and carefully monitored during the winter until it can be used again in the spring. However, a frozen pool can be tempting for kids or families to use as a skating rink during the winter. Unfortunately, swimming pools are not designed to be skated on in the winter, and skates and pucks can wreak havoc on your pool liner. When a puck hits the frozen liner, it can cause damage, including both small and large leaks. When your pool thaws in the spring, you may notice that your backyard hockey adventures resulted in permanent damage to your pool. To help extend your pool liner’s lifespan, we recommend leaving the skating to hockey arenas and local ponds.

At Seaway Pools and Hot Tubs, we offer comprehensive care for above ground and inground swimming pools in the Greater Toronto Area. Our two store locations offer free water quality testing and expert technicians to help you identify all the swimming pool supplies you need to keep your water safe and balanced. Although no one wants to think about pool liner replacement, most liners need to be replaced every 10-20 years, depending on the type of pool and the quality of pool maintenance. If you need pool liner repair and replacement, our team can help you efficiently switch your pool liner and allow your family to return to using your pool as soon as possible. At Seaway, we know that backyard pools are the foundation of many homes, and we want to make sure you and your family can enjoy your pool for years to come. To learn more about our pool liner repair and replacement or drop off a sample for free water quality testing, contact the Seaway team today at Newmarket (905-853-8500) or Markham (905-294-8030).