Owning a swimming pool is one of the best ways to enjoy the luxuries of your home. But pools also come with significant responsibilities that require a level of care to keep your property as well as your family safe.

This level of care is evident in measures like safety covers , but that same level of quality and care should be placed on vinyl liners as well. If a vinyl liner is damaged or left with an unfixed issue, it can affect the structure of your pool which could lead to costly repairs, unhealthy water, or dangerous conditions for the rest of your property.

Let’s take a look at some of the biggest vinyl liner mistakes and what can cause pool liner damage so you know what to avoid while keeping your pool in tip-top shape!

Identify the Difference Between Natural Wear and Damage 

First, we’ll start with some definitions. When assessing your liner, it’s important to know whether its condition has been affected by natural wear or unexpected damage.

Natural wear on a liner can look like pulling or warped patterns that may occur over time from water and personal use. Damage, on the other hand, may look more deliberate and can be seen as rips, holes, or punctures in your vinyl liner.

Most Common Vinyl Liner Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

Whether during the installation phase or throughout your regular pool maintenance, many mistakes can contribute to a liner’s deterioration. Here are a few of the most common mistakes or issues and what you can do to avoid them from happening to your pool liner.

• Not Fixing Leaks

If you want to keep your vinyl liner in the best shape possible, it’s important to routinely check for any damaged spots that could cause water leakage. Leaking water from your pool can trap water between your liner and the pool wall, causing your liner to separate. Not to mention, leaking water over time can lead to higher resource costs to replenish the wasted and treated water. To avoid this phenomenon, be sure to routinely examine your liner as well as areas like skimmers, steps, drains, and lights for any natural wear or unexpected damage so you can quickly get the repair you need. Have a leak? Learn More Here

• Over-Bleaching

One of the fastest ways to deteriorate a vinyl pool liner is by treating the water with too much chlorine. A high chlorine level over time is corrosive to the liner and can alter its plasticity. The best way to avoid over-bleaching is to regularly test your water and only shock the pool when needed. Generally, if your pool’s pH levels are healthy, shocking should only take place based on your pool water testing and advice of your local swimming pool professional. When it is time to shock, it’s always best to dissolve the pool shock in a container of water first, and then slowly add it around your pool. This will put less of a strain on your vinyl liner.

• Unbalanced Water

If your pool’s water quality is not evenly balanced, it can lead to over-acidity or calcium buildup that can significantly impact the health of your vinyl liner. For example, a consistently low pH level makes your pool water corrosive which can slowly break down the vinyl bonds in your liner, making the liner weaker and more prone to fading. Thankfully, you can easily combat this by testing your pool’s pH balance weekly and calcium hardness monthly. Staying on top of these levels will help you know what adjustments to make to keep your pool in a consistently healthy range.

How Long Should a Vinyl Pool Liner Last?

Typically, most in-ground vinyl pool liners last about 7 -10 years, but this range varies based on a number of factors. For example, the life of a vinyl pool liner depends on:

• How it is installed
• How often the pool is used
• The climate of its location
• How well the liner is maintained
• Water chemistry over time

When in Doubt, Call the Experts

One of the best decisions you can make for your vinyl liner is to trust the experts at Pools & Spas Service, Inc. If you’re looking to upgrade your liner or need some assistance with your current one, contact Pools & Spas Service, Inc!

From installation to maintenance, they we can help you every step of the way to ensure your pool is operating at its best. And that means less time worrying about pool repairs and more time relaxing in your personal backyard oasis.

When renovating your pool, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by various options, prices, and deadlines. Trying to determine which options are right for you and your home definitely takes time and careful consideration. But it’s an adventure you will absolutely cherish once you’re relaxing in your brand-new pool!

If the process seems a bit intimidating to you at first, don’t worry–you’re not alone. Our LOOP-LOC are here! We are committed to providing you with the resources you need to make informed and creative decisions regarding your pool.

One of the most important decisions you’ll make is which liner is best for you. Let’s dive into the main types of vinyl pool liners and why they may be the perfect fit for your pool!

Vinyl Liner Options

So, what exactly is a vinyl liner? Vinyl liners are custom-made sheets of durable vinyl that create a barrier between the water and the pool walls.

In contrast to other pool lining options (like gunite pools which use a plaster material to form the pool walls), vinyl liners are traditionally more cost-effective, low maintenance, and quick to install. They also offer an element of luxury as they have the most custom-design potential and an ultra-smooth finish.

Vinyl liners are available in three main constructions: Overlap, Beaded, and Unibead. The major distinction between these options is how the liner attaches to the swimming pool walls.

• Overlap

The overlap liner is the most common liner for above-ground pools. The liner overlaps the top of the pool wall, is held in place on the outside of the pool wall with custom strips, and is secured by the overlapping pool rail top. Overlap liners can be tricky to install evenly, so they typically only come in a few designs to keep the pattern more uniform.

• Beaded

Beaded or hung liners come in a variety of types and offer the easiest liner to replace because there is very little to disassemble (as opposed to an overlap liner). Beaded liners use hanging bead receivers to snap the liner in place along the top of the pool walls. This allows for a more even installation.

• Uni-bead

A uni-bead liner has a small J-shaped lip that can be used as a standard track or as a hook to hold a liner in place. Because of its unique shape, it’s one of the most versatile liner types for in-ground pools.

Why LOOP-LOC Vinyl Liners Have the Leading Edge

When it comes to vinyl liners, there’s only one LOOP-LOC! Our Luxury Liners are the first designer in-ground pool liners to offer our legendary quality, beauty, and fit, and are truly the ultimate in fine art for your pool.

Whether you’re looking to update the look and feel of your current in-ground pool or want to enhance the beauty of your backyard with a new pool, our luxury pool liners are the perfect choice, and we offer more exclusive patterns to choose from than any other manufacturer!

In addition to beautiful designs, our liners are also incredibly durable. They are made from high-quality virgin vinyl in durable 20 & 28 mil with materials manufactured in North America. Not to mention, all of our liners are backed by a 20-year pro-rated warranty to give you added peace of mind!

How to Get Started 

If  it’s time to give your current pool an upgraded look, contact Pools & Spas swimming pool professional! Not only can we help you select the vinyl liner that’s right for you, but they can also assist in coordinating the installation so you can get ready for an unforgettable summer of fun in the sun!

Is it Time To Replace Your Faded Old Liner?

Cracks and Rips

One of the most obvious signs that a pool liner needs to be replaced is when it starts to crack and rip. Over time, vinyl pool liners deteriorate from a combination of the UV radiation of the Sun and the pool chemicals that help to keep the water safe to use. which causes the vinyl to become brittle. When liners become brittle they will begin to crack and rip much more easily, causing the pool to leak water.

These types of cracks generally form at or very near to the surface of the water, as UV damage is most prevalent in that area. If you notice that your pool liner is beginning to crack or tear around the water line, chances are that you will need to replace your liner in the very near future.

Just because your pool liner has a small leak doesn’t mean that it is time to replace it though. The odd leak is fairly normal for older liners and can be easily fixed with a basic liner patch kit. If you notice several cracks forming in one place, or if rips keep appearing all over the pool, however, you should definitely replace the liner as soon as you can.

Water Loss

Not all cracks and rips are easy to spot, especially if they are below the surface of the water. That it is why it is a good idea to monitor how much water your pool loses, especially if your liner is more than 10 years old.

If you suspect that your pool might be losing water due to leaks, you can perform a simple test to find out for sure. Simply place a bucket on the entrance steps to your pool and fill it with water to the same level as the water in the pool. Water in the bucket will evaporate at the same rate as it does in the pool, giving you a way to see if the pool is losing water in ways other than evaporation.

After a few days check the water level in the bucket vs the water level in your pool. If the water level is lower in your pool than it is in the bucket, you have a leak; if not than the water you’re losing is purely due to evaporation.

Fading or Staining

Another sign of UV and chemical damage is fading. While most pool liners today will resist fading from UV, they’re not completely immune to it. Over time, the coloured finish of the liner will begin to fade, and with it the plasticizers that make the liner pliable.

It is the deterioration of these plasticizers that cause pool liners to become brittle, meaning that a faded liner is a good sign that the liner is becoming brittle and will start cracking and tearing soon. If you notice that you liner is badly faded, be sure to regularly check for cracks or rips in the liner and do the bucket test to check for potential leaks.

Stretching and Wrinkles

In some cases, especially in areas with groundwater issues, you pool liner may begin to stretch after it is installed. This causes wrinkles to form in the liner and can even pull it out of the track at the top of the pool.

If you notice the liner beginning to slip out of the top track of the pool, you can try to pop it back in. To do this first heat the liner with hot water to make it more pliable, then try to lift it and place it back in the track. If it won’t go back in, or if the problem keeps coming back, you should replace your pool liner as soon as possible. In these cases, the problem likely cannot be solved and will only get worse with time so replacement is the only option.

We’re Here To Help?

The quickest way to transform your pool is to upgrade or install a new liner. Pools & Spas Service Inc. carry only the top brands, all with a minimum of 25 year factory warranties, we can get you swimming in style for less. Plus, we bring the samples to you so that you get the perfect style.

Standard pool liners present visible lines on the pool floor at the seams which ultimately distract from the beauty of the pool. Our innovative UltraSeam technology elevates our liners to an entirely new category. This exclusive process makes floor seams stronger and virtually invisible, so there’s nothing that gets in the way of the picture perfect beauty of your pool!

A designer in-ground pool liner can be the spectacular centerpiece of your backyard environment, transforming your pool into a work of art. LOOP-LOC® Luxury Liners are the first in-ground pool liners good enough and beautiful enough to come from the legendary LOOP-LOC®, the company known for the ultimate safety swimming pool cover.

Whether you would like to update the look of your current in-ground pool, or enhance the beauty of a new pool, LOOP-LOC® Luxury Liners are the perfect choice. Manufactured using only the highest quality virgin vinyl material that resists puncturing, algae, mold, mildew and bacteria. Most patterns are available in durable 20 mil and 28 mil. State-of-the-art computer technology and manufacturing equipment ensure a perfect fit for any pool – from simple rectangles to the most complex freeforms.

At LOOP-LOC®, our quality products are built to last. Every LOOP-LOC® safety pool cover, luxury in-ground pool liner is backed by our exclusive warranty.

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