- Drain all the water out of the pool by placing a submersible pump into the deepest end of the pool and turning it on. ...
- Remove the pool liner as directed by the manufacturer's instructions.
- Examine the vermiculite base to determine the extent of the damage. If there are broken chunks of vermiculite, remove them with your hands and discard. ...
- Pour one part of vermiculite powder and three parts of cement into a five-gallon bucket. Slowly add water to the mixture until you achieve a thick mud-like consistency.
- Gather some vermiculite onto a trowel, and place it onto the damaged section of the pool floor. ...
- Allow the vermiculite to harden and cure for two days prior to reinstalling the pool liner.
Where do you install a vermiculite pool base?
Vermiculite Pool Base- Installation and Repair. A vermiculite pool base is used as pool bottom or pool floor. It is found beneath vinyl pool liners, just in between the wall panels and vinyl liner.
How do you remove vermiculite from a pool floor?
Slowly add water to the mixture until you achieve a thick mud-like consistency. Gather some vermiculite onto a trowel, and place it onto the damaged section of the pool floor. Scrape the trowel across the floor to fill the damaged area, and smooth the vermiculite out in an even layer.
Can you file down vermiculite pool liner?
When replacing a vinyl liner, it is easy to file down blemish on vermiculite pool bottoms. Vermiculite is a slightly spongy semi-hard surface, with a somewhat softer feel when waking on. New vermiculite application bonds well will old Vermiculite that has already set. Vermiculate retains flexibility after they cure.
Should I use sand or vermiculite under my inground pool?
Never use sand and vermiculite is an OK option; HOWEVER a concrete pool floor is the best surface available. The concrete pool bottom will hold it’s form and is structural so it will not more. An experienced inground pool builder will be able to pour a cocnrete pool floor faster and better than using vermiculite.
Is vermiculite good for pool bottom?
Vermiculite is the usual choice of floor material for inground vinyl liner pools. it is not the cheapest option for your floor, but it is long lasting and one of the easier floor materials to install.
How do you fix vermiculite?
Pour one part of vermiculite powder and three parts of cement into a five-gallon bucket. Slowly add water to the mixture until you achieve a thick mud-like consistency.
How thick should vermiculite pool bottom be?
between 1 and 2 inches thickAs with concrete, crews should make the vermiculite layer between 1 and 2 inches thick. Any thicker and it will void the porosity, which would defeat its purpose. Fans of this material also claim that it's easier on the liner.
How long does vermiculite take to cure?
A vermiculite bottom sets up completely in three to five days. Although in some instances liners can be installed almost immediately after troweling, pool owners should be cautioned about using the pool until curing is complete.
How do I fix the bottom of my pool?
2:454:41Concrete Pool Floor repair for Vinyl Liners - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUse a one part portland cement to one part sand mixture. So that way it's easier to sand off yourMoreUse a one part portland cement to one part sand mixture. So that way it's easier to sand off your edges with a masonry sanding block when you're finished.
What is the bottom of an inground pool made of?
The two most common materials for the bottom of your pool are vermiculite and grout. Whichever material you choose, you'll apply it right on top of the soil with a round-edged pool trowel, and then the liner goes on top of it.
Can it rain on vermiculite?
Although Pool-Krete® should not be used during a rain, there will be occasions when the weather simply rolls in quickly during installation. If possible, cover the pool area with polyethylene. A light mist will generally not affect the Pool-Krete®.
Can I mix vermiculite with cement?
Mix proportions vary between 4:1 and 8:1 vermiculite aggregate to cement by volume, depending on the use for which the product is intended and the method of manufacture. The water content should be only sufficient to provide adequate plasticity in the mix.
Can pool Crete get wet?
Rain During Installation A light mist will generally not affect the Pool-Krete®. Large drops or heavy rainfall, however, will cause the wet Pool-Krete® to pock-mark or even wash out.
What does vermiculite do for pools?
Advantages. The softness of vermiculite is actually a pretty hefty advantage for vinyl liner pools. It's softer than grout, the other option for vinyl liner pool floors, and doesn't harden in the same manner as concrete but not as hard.
How long does vermiculite last?
I heard that vermiculite last for 2 years, until it decomposes, then you have to add it again. However perlite lasts for a long time. Also vermiculite, could have some asbestos, or, asbestos like material/fine dust that could cause some breathing problem down the road.
How do you smooth out a pool floor?
TIPS TO REMOVE/SMOOTH OUT WRINKLESFill Your Pool with Water. Wrinkles are common in pools with water that is low and has sat for a long period of time—such as over the winter. ... Walk Around the Liner. ... Use a (Clean) Toilet Plunger. ... Warm Up Your Pool. ... Drain the Water. ... Check around Your Landscaping. ... Keep an Eye Out for Leakage.
Does vermiculite have to be removed?
The EPA recommends that vermiculite insulation be left undisturbed. Airborne asbestos fibers present a health risk through inhalation, so the first step is to not disturb the material, which could release fibers into the air. If you disturb the insulation, you may inhale some asbestos fibers.
How can you tell if vermiculite has asbestos?
How can I tell if my vermiculite insulation contains asbestos? The majority of all vermiculite insulation pro- duced before 1990 used contaminated vermicu- lite from Libby. Asbestos fibers in vermiculite are too small to be seen by the naked eye. Only a trained technician using a microscope can see asbestos fibers.
How toxic is vermiculite?
If vermiculite is disturbed, it could cause tiny, needle-like asbestos fibers to become airborne. Asbestos in the air can be inhaled and cause lung damage. If asbestos is not in the air, it is not dangerous to your lungs.
Should vermiculite be removed?
The EPA strongly recommends that "you should never attempt to remove the insulation yourself. Hire professionals trained and certified to safety remove the material." Although they don't recommend it, generally states allow homeowners to remove vermiculite from their own homes.