When Do You Need a New Pool Liner?

No matter when your liner deteriorates, it’s a fact that eventually, you will need a new one.

Most inground pool liners last between eight and 12 years. Some need replacement before that, while others can last way beyond their suggested shelf life. It all depends on the type of liner you have, how you maintain it, and luck! No matter when your liner deteriorates, it’s a fact that eventually, you will need a new one. That’s because over time, weather, chemicals, and normal wear and tear all contribute to the degradation of pool liners. Let’s explore some signs that indicate you need a new liner.

Wrinkles

Small wrinkles are par for the course in any liner. They can be unavoidable; however, large ones with sagging portions that pull away from the walls of your pool are a sign that your liner is on its last leg. Another telltale sign is when your liner slips off its track, with a loss in elasticity leading to water leakage. Take a look around the pump and skimmer area, too. This is where fittings can easily come loose, and a stretched-out liner is difficult to repair. Replacement of the liner is inevitable.

Fading

The sun and pool chemicals can fade your liner as the pool ages. Some fading is normal, but extreme fading and staining means the composition of your liner is being compromised. Not only that, but it’s detracting from the vibrancy and coloring of your liner. Once fading happens, the vinyl can become very brittle and lead to cracks and leaks in no time.

Leaks

Are you losing water? One way to tell is if you monitor the water level of your pool for a week and it loses more than an inch, this could mean you have a leak somewhere. While most modern pool liners can stand up to tears, punctures and everyday wear, your liner loses resiliency over the years. This means it becomes more sensitive to cracking which in turn leads to leaks. Sure, you can patch up small tears here and there but at some point, you will lose the integrity of the entire liner. If leaks are left untreated, leaks cause erosion of the backfill and corrosion of the supporting walls.

Cracks

The sun’s ultraviolet rays, along with pool chemicals, can contribute to small cracks in your liner. Take a few moments throughout the seasons to regularly inspect for cracks, tears and leaks, with the most obvious sign being a reduction in your water level. When there are several cracks in many different places, repair becomes impossible and counter productive. This is when you need a new swimming pool liner.

Still not sure if you need to replace your inground pool liner? Call in the experts at Central Jersey Pool for an appointment before the summer hits. We can evaluate your pool, provide advice, and perform the liner replacement affordably and efficiently.