Should I Repair or Replace My Pool Liner?

Following a long summer of pool use, it is normal for your pool to experience some degree of damage. That is one of the reasons it is important to properly close your pool in the winter: it gives you a chance to inspect your equipment and accessories in detail and ensure everything is damage-free. Unfortunately, you might notice your pool liner looks faded, warped, or damaged after being used all summer long. So, how do you know if your pool liner needs to be replaced or repaired? In this blog post, we have outlined everything you need to know about pool liner repair and replacement and the swimming pool supplies you need to protect your liner from further damage. Contact Seaway Pools & Hot Tubs today for inground pool installation this season. 

Faded or Stained Liner

Unfortunately, pool liners will fade after years of exposure to the sun and chlorine. Sadly, no paint exists to touch up a faded pool liner. However, if the fading is concentrated at the waterline, you can easily repair the liner’s look by adding an adhesive strip that covers its top six inches.

Many liners become stained when the water chemistry is unbalanced, too. If the pH of your pool is too high, dissolved metals in your pool can stick to your liner, creating stains. Similarly, if your pool water is too hard (it has a high volume of dissolved minerals inside), it can cause scaling and a white chalky buildup on your pool liner. Once your water is balanced, many stains will naturally disappear. Otherwise, you can purchase a stain removal chemical for use on vinyl liners.

Moldy Pool Liner

Over time, especially during the off-season, it is possible for your pool liner to grow mold, which is both unsightly and hazardous. Mold growth occurs when mold spores land in an environment that is damp and contains a natural food source. This makes pools, especially dirt ones, highly prone to mold. 

Mold is a highly toxic substance that can have negative impacts on your physical and cognitive health. It can also be tricky to remove from a porous material like a pool liner. As a result, it is best to replace a mold-ridden pool liner. The costs associated with removing the mold are going to be similar to those of a new pool liner anyway. 

Leaking Liner

A leaking liner is one of the most common pool issues. Leaks are usually the result of some kind of rip or hole in your pool line. Most of the time, this issue can be repaired with a simple vinyl patch, depending on the size and location of the leak. Smaller singular leaks are usually repairable. However, if you are experiencing an extensive tear or multiple leaks due to ice or animal damage, you may need to replace the entire liner. Your pool and spa store can help you determine whether your pool liner can be repaired.

Damaged Liner

The good news is that small tears (1 to 2 inches in length) can be easily repaired with a vinyl patch, similar to a leak. Larger tears up to several feet can also be repaired with a large vinyl patch, but they often do not have great longevity. If you can afford a great deal of patchwork for your pool liner, then you may find that a full liner replacement is not much more expensive. Not to mention the fact that a new pool liner will last significantly longer than multiple vinyl patches. 

Wrinkled Liner

Unfortunately, most wrinkles cannot be easily repaired. Over time, wrinkles are natural due to erosion of the underlying pool structure or puckering from water conditions. These wrinkles will eventually harden and become close to impossible to remove. Although they are not strictly dangerous, they can make it difficult to clean your pool properly. 

Resolve Your Pool Liner Issues at Seaway Pools  & Hot Tubs

Identifying concerns with your pool liner through inspections at the beginning of pool season is essential to safe and comfortable swims. At Seaway Pools & Hot Tubs, we sell a wide range of swimming pool supplies to help you maintain your pool water, equipment, and liner. Our expert team can help with pool liner repair and replacement, including help with everything from small leaks to massive damage. We also offer free water quality testing to help you make sure your water pH and chemicals are correctly balanced. For more information on any of Seaway’s services or to purchase swimming pool supplies, contact us today or visit one of our in-person stores to speak with our staff!

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