Repairing Guides

how to repair a hole in a swimming pool liner

by Prof. Jaren Harris Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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  1. Cut a round or oval piece of vinyl, which is included in your vinyl repair kit, at least five times the diameter of the hole or tear you’re repairing.
  2. Apply the underwater adhesive included in your pool repair kit to the back of the patch you cut out.
  3. Fold the patch in half so the unglued side is exposed, and then get into the pool. ...
  4. Locate the damaged section and then unfold the vinyl patch underwater.
  5. Center the patch over the damaged area and press the patch down from the center outward on all sides so you push the excess adhesive out through the edges ...
  6. Leave the patch for 24 hours to allow enough time for the adhesive to dry. Then check the patch. ...

Part of a video titled How to Patch your Swimming Pool Vinyl Liner! - YouTube
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So never cut your patches. Square. Always cut them round. And if for an example i have a hole hereMoreSo never cut your patches. Square. Always cut them round. And if for an example i have a hole here and i want to patch it all we want to do is cut the patch.

When to repair or replace your pool liner?

Instances When Repairing Your Pool Liner is an Option

  • Minor Tears. You can usually repair or patch a tear that’s as small as 2 inches and as big as 8 inches. ...
  • Stains and Discolouration. Your pool can be in perfect working condition, but if your liner is stained and discoloured, it makes getting into it far less appealing.
  • Minor Leaks. ...
  • Liner is Slipping Out of Tracks. ...

What can I use to clean my pool liner?

What can I use to clean my vinyl pool liner?

  • Scrub the algae with a soft nylon brush. In most cases this is all that is needed with vinyl pool liners.
  • Check the pH levels of the pool with the test kit.
  • Don the safety glasses and rubber gloves.
  • Add dry sodium bisulphate to the pool to reduce he pH rating.
  • Add four times the normal amount of chlorine for your pool.

How to know if you need a new pool liner?

Pool Liner Installation Troubleshooting

  • Wrinkles. One of the toughest parts of installing a vinyl pool liner is keeping it free of wrinkles while you set it in place.
  • Poor Seal. A vinyl liner has some give to it, but in some cases it can pull away near the seals along the pool walls.
  • Rocky Ground. ...
  • Tears and Punctures. ...

How to replace an above ground swimming pool liner?

Replacing the liner

  1. Drain the pool. I know: we usually tell you to never drain your pool completely, but this is different. ...
  2. Remove the liner. Disconnect all your pool plumbing from the skimmers and unscrew all the face plates. ...
  3. Prep the floor. ...
  4. Prep the wall. ...
  5. Install new liner. ...
  6. Set the liner with a vacuum. ...
  7. Fill the pool. ...
  8. Reinstall face plates & gaskets. ...

How to tell if pool liner is leaking?

Why does my pool patch fail?

What is a patch kit?

How to know if you have a leak in your pool?

How to level pool water in bucket?

What to do if you find a tear in a liner?

What causes water to evaporate in a pool?

See 2 more

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Can you patch a hole in a pool liner?

You can patch a pool liner hole or tear above or below water. A dry patch might be an option if the water receded below the tear, for example, or if your pool has already been drained for other repairs or maintenance work.

Can you fix a hole in above ground pool liner?

4:278:23Above Ground Pool Liner Leak Repair. Finding and Fixing the Hole.YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipJust cut your little piece of that liner off that you can use for some patch it's the same line orMoreJust cut your little piece of that liner off that you can use for some patch it's the same line or you have in your pool. If you don't have an overlap liner.

Can you fix a hole in plastic pool?

To fix a hole or crack in a hard-plastic kiddie pool, get some marine silicon or a hot glue gun and seal the crack or hole. Use a card or putty knife to even out the silicon and let dry. A few coats may be needed. Make sure to let it dry after each coat you apply.

Can Flex Seal fix a pool liner?

It's inconvenient and pool liners can cost hundreds (sometimes thousands) of dollars to replace. That's why we recommend keeping Flex Tape or our Pool patch and repair kit nearby. The next time you find yourself with this problem, just use Flex Tape and your pool leak will be repaired in a matter of minutes.

Does Gorilla Tape work on pool liners?

Found a tear in your pool liner? At 4" wide, Gorilla Waterproof Patch & Seal Tape can be used to patch holes, cracks, gaps and tears, even underwater!

What kind of glue do you use to patch a pool liner?

If your vinyl pool liner needs patching, HH-66 Vinyl Cement is the answer. The world's most effective PVC vinyl adhesive is ideal for mending liner tears, spa covers, and most inflatable vinyl pool toys. It works underwater, sets in minutes, and holds fast even in extreme conditions.

How do you fix a large hole in plastic?

A makeshift cement from super glue and baking soda can fill small holes in a pinch. Larger holes in plastic can be filled with melted plastic or epoxy. No matter which method you use, you'll be able to plug the hole and pretend it never even existed.

How do you patch a pool without draining it?

1:284:03Pool leak repair without draining your pool DIY - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThen you can still use this just make sure you're in covering the entire rip. The other thing youMoreThen you can still use this just make sure you're in covering the entire rip. The other thing you need is something soft put on top of the patch after. This is if it's at the bottom of your pool.

Can you patch an above ground pool?

Vinyl Patch Kit Kits include large chunks of liner and special vinyl adhesive that works underwater. Some come with blue and clear vinyl. Patch kits for soft-sided above ground pools also include a piece of special laminated polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material, so you can properly patch the outside of the pool walls.

How do I fix a leak in my above ground pool liner?

7:2010:54POOL LEAK DETECTION: How to Patch a Liner | Swim UniversityYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt on to the liner. Right you want to press out any air bubbles then get comfortable because you'reMoreIt on to the liner. Right you want to press out any air bubbles then get comfortable because you're gonna need to hold that patch there for at least two minutes to let that adhesive cure.

How do you patch an above ground pool without draining it?

1:344:03Pool leak repair without draining your pool DIY - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThen you can still use this just make sure you're in covering the entire rip. The other thing youMoreThen you can still use this just make sure you're in covering the entire rip. The other thing you need is something soft put on top of the patch after. This is if it's at the bottom of your pool.

What kind of glue do you use to patch a pool liner?

If your vinyl pool liner needs patching, HH-66 Vinyl Cement is the answer. The world's most effective PVC vinyl adhesive is ideal for mending liner tears, spa covers, and most inflatable vinyl pool toys. It works underwater, sets in minutes, and holds fast even in extreme conditions.

How big of a tear can you patch in a pool liner?

Patching your pool liner can work on a tear as little as 2- inches and as big as 8- inches depending on location and pool age. For example, if you have a 2-inch tear near your filtration system and your pool is ten years old, you can temporarily patch it while shopping for a new vinyl liner. Alternatively, if you have an 8-inch tear on the side ...

How much does it cost to replace a pool liner?

However, you can use one of the patching options as a temporary fix while you shop around for a new liner. The price of a new vinyl pool liner is typically a thousand to several thousand dollars (though the total cost to replace the liner is $4,500 on average). The benefit of replacing the liner is that you’ll have another 5-9 years of worry-free pool enjoyment.

What is the best tape to use for a pool?

Waterproof tape - Similar to duct tape, waterproof tape can be used underwater, it’s UV resistant, and it’s clear (so your pool can stay beautiful). Vinyl patch kit - This is a better option for larger tears and lasts long-term. Most include large chunks of vinyl and adhesive that can be applied underwater.

How much water does an inground pool lose?

Most of the time, evaporation is the culprit. In fact, you can expect to lose anywhere from ½ inch to an inch of water per day ( pool covers can help with this, though). If you’re still paranoid, there are two sure-fire ways ...

What happens if the water level in the bucket is higher than the water level in the pool?

If the water level in the bucket is higher than the water level in the pool, you have a leak. If it’s similar, breathe a sigh of relief because it’s just evaporation. Food Coloring - Walk around your pool and identify any spots that feel squishy and apply food coloring in those areas. If there is a hole or tear, ...

What to do if your pool is leaking?

If you are unable to locate a tear and your pool seems to be still leaking, check the electrical and filtration systems. Better yet, call a professional to check out your pool to make sure that you catch any costly or dangerous leaks early on.

How to check if pool pump is leaking?

The Bucket Test - Fill a 5-gallon bucket with water and set it on the steps of your pool. Make sure the water level in the bucket matches the surrounding water level in the pool. Mark the water level in the bucket with painter's tape to keep track of changes . Turn off the pump and come back to it after one full day (24 hours). Measure the difference between the water level in the bucket and the surrounding pool water. If the water level in the bucket is higher than the water level in the pool, you have a leak. If it’s similar, breathe a sigh of relief because it’s just evaporation.

How to clean pool liner with patch?

You can use a rag, pool brush, or gentle scrubber pad to wipe it clean.

How to patch a hole in a wall?

For peel-and-stick patches, just peel the paper backing off and apply the patch to the area with the hole.

How to fix a patch on a trimmed patch?

Apply adhesive. Apply a good amount of vinyl adhesive to the back of your trimmed patch. Apply the patch. Stick the patch directly onto the hole and press out any seams or bubbles. Hold in place. Allow the adhesive to cure by holding the patch firmly in place for a couple of minutes.

What happens if you put water in an inground pool?

This can cause a great deal of damage and instability.

How much water does a pool lose in a year?

Keep in mind that most pools lose about ¼ - ½ inch per day during the summer due to evaporation. To put that in perspective, that’s about 25,000-50,000 gallons of water per year!

Why are vinyl pool liners so popular?

Conclusion. Vinyl pool liners are a popular choice among pool owners for a lot of reasons . For one , they’re less expensive than concrete or fiberglass pool options. And for another, they make swimming pool maintenance much faster and easier.

What happens if you leak dye?

If you do have a leak, you’ll see the dye stream steadily toward it, seeping out with the rest of the water.

What to use to repair a pool liner?

Use a vinyl patch kit. A common problem with pool liners is that small holes or tears can develop from impact damage or sharp debris in the pool.

How to fix a vinyl pool liner?

Vinyl swimming pool liners can often sag or slip out of position, but luckily you have several simple ways to repair them. Try pouring boiling water onto the affected area of vinyl, making sure to leave 1 to 2 inches at the top so you can grab hold of it .

How to get vinyl out of pool?

Alternatively, you can heat an area of the vinyl by blow drying it from about 2 inches away. Once the heat from the boiling water or hair dryer has softened the vinyl, pull it up from the top to stretch it out. Fit it back into the metal trap around the top of your pool, which is designed to hold the vinyl in place.

Why does vinyl liner pop out?

A familiar sight each season for many vinyl-liner pool owners is sags or gaps at the track that holds the liner in place. Constant fluctuations in temperature over the winter can cause the vinyl to stretch and pop out at certain spots—most often at corners or where there is plastic trim in a concrete deck that meets with the pool coping.

How to stretch a liner?

Heat an area of the liner to stretch by holding the blow dryer a couple of inches from the surface and at an angle. Keep the dryer moving so you don't burn the liner. You don't need to superheat the liner—just get it warm enough to make it pliable. ...

How to get rid of sagging vinyl?

Slowly pour the hot water directly on the sagging vinyl below the top edge. Use a kettle or can with a long spout, such as a watering can. Do not pour onto the very top edge of the vinyl, but just below the top, because you next have to grasp that top edge. Pour slowly back and forth across the vinyl. 2.

How to keep vinyl in place?

Starting on one end, firmly twist the top edge horizontally and push it into the metal track. The top underside of the vinyl has a V shaped groove which should slip into a similar V groove in the top metal track. You should feel the edge of vinyl slip into the groove, which is supposed to keep it in place.

How big is a tear in a liner?

If the hole or tear is larger than 6 inches, you may need a new liner. Contact a professional to inspect the damage and determine if it is repairable.

How long does it take for a patch to dry?

Don’t let the patch move around as you smooth the edges. Leave the patch for 24 hours to allow enough time for the adhesive to dry.

How long does a vinyl patch need to be?

Your vinyl patch must be sized so it extends past the damage at least 3 to 4 inches in all directions and should be rounded or oval because square patches tend to peel away at the corners.

Can you drain a pool liner?

Do not drain the pool to fix a damaged liner. Draining the pool may cause the pool liner to wrinkle or slip and this often needs professional repair. Using an underwater pool patch kit makes it unnecessary to have a dry surface to complete the repair. If the hole or tear is larger than 6 inches, you may need a new liner.

Can a leak in a vinyl pool liner be repaired?

A leak in your vinyl pool liner should be repaired immediately because the holes cause the water level to drop, increasing your water usage, and this can lead to soil erosion beneath the pool and may damage the pool wall. Pool patch kits, which are available at pool supply stores, make it possible for homeowners to fix minor leaks themselves.

How to repair a rip in a vinyl pool liner?

But fortunately, no draining is required. The best way to repair a rip is with the water still in the pool.

How to get rid of a patch that is coming loose?

A square edge or corner on the patch is more likely to tear away or come loose from the liner. Clean the area where you're applying the patch with rubbing alcohol or a mild solvent. Removing algae or grime gives the patch a better chance of sticking.

How to get a patch to stick?

Clean the area where you're applying the patch with rubbing alcohol or a mild solvent. Removing algae or grime gives the patch a better chance of sticking.

How big should a patch be on a tear?

Cut the patch to so that it's 2 inches larger on all sides than the size of the rip. If the patch is significantly larger than the tear, it allows enough surface area for the adhesive to cover the rip and hold.

Can you use duct tape to repair a pool liner?

Never use duct tape to repair a pool liner. It cannot withstand the weight of the water in the pool and will give way, making the rip larger and causing more problems.

Can you drain a pool rip?

But fortunately, no draining is required. The best way to repair a rip is with the water still in the pool. Don't ignore the tear for long, however. As soon as possible, repair the rip with a vinyl repair patch kit that is designed for repairs done under the water.

How Large Of A Hole Can Your Pool Liner Patch Fix?

Patches can only fix holes that are smaller than them. Currently, the largest pool liner patches on the market can fix holes up to 8 inches wide. However, that is only a fraction of the whole story. The larger the patch you have, the less effective it will be.

How Much Does It Cost To Patch A Pool Liner?

Pool liners are not like bicycle tires. When you have a tear in a pool liner you can’t just patch it with any old patch you find. You will need to seek out specialty patches that are literally made for pool repair.

Related Questions

It honestly depends on the type of patch that you use, as well as how you applied it to the pool. Most patches will take a full 24 hours to fully set. To better ensure the quality of your patch job, squeeze out air bubbles and only apply it on a clean surface.

How to tell if pool liner is leaking?

Before you start slapping on patches and gluing your fingers together , you may want to check if you actually have a leak in the first place. If there’s a hole the size of Texas in your pool liner, that’s a pretty obvious sign, but it’s not always so clear.

Why does my pool patch fail?

The same concept applies here but instead of sticky child fingers, it’s chemicals, algae, and dirt floating in your pool that’ll cause the patch to fail.

What is a patch kit?

There are whole patch kits that come with a cover and adhesive. They include a cover and adhesive that can be put over the larger tears. If it’s a bigger tear than tape or a sticker can handle, a patch kit is the next step up.

How to know if you have a leak in your pool?

If you’re just losing water to increased temperatures and evaporation, the water levels should evaporate at roughly the same rate. If your pool level is significantly lower than your pool level, then you’ll know that you have a leak on your hands.

How to level pool water in bucket?

Step 2: Use your pool steps to place it in a location where the water in the bucket and the pool water outside the bucket are at about the same level. Step 3: Mark the level inside the bucket. You can use a sharpie marker or a grease pen.

What to do if you find a tear in a liner?

Once you’ve found the tear or tears in your liner, the next step is to patch them. The steps for all patches are basically the same, so we’ll cover the steps you’ll need to take no matter which type of patch you’re looking to use.

What causes water to evaporate in a pool?

Low Humidity. Simple water evaporation and increased temperatures can drastically alter the level of water in your pool. When the mercury goes up , the water in your pool warms up and is more likely to evaporate. This is doubly true if your pool is in direct sunlight.

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