Things You'll Need:
- The new liner
- A few friends
- Wet/Dry Vacuum cleaner.10 or 15 gal. should do.
- Duct Tape
- Ice Pick
- Coins
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Step 1
Your liner should come in a cardboard box. Place the box in the center of the shallow end of the pool. Open carefully so you don't cut your new liner. Make sure the liner is oriented where the steps or shallow end of the liner is nearest the area where you are opening.
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Step 2
Begin to spread out the liner by unfolding out toward the sides of the pool. This is where you will need your friends. Usually at least 3. Try to keep the liner from dragging or snagging as much as possible during these steps. Make sure the bottom and walls are completely smooth with no loose debris. All these things will show up under your brand new liner if left in the pool. Also, be sure not to drag in any dirt, debris ,etc. that could fall underneath while you are installing the liner.
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Step 3
Have one friend hold the shallow end part of the liner near the coping or beading track in the center of the shallow end. This is sometimes easier to do if you lay down on the ground or cement next to the pool. Your friends will all be on the outside of the pool holding and draping the liner down into the pool.
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Step 4
As the one or 2 friends keep the shallow end held roughly near the coping and corners where it will be inserted you and your other friends will begin pulling the liner toward the deep end of the pool. Walk down both sides of the pull trying to lift and elevate the liner as much as possible while moving toward the deep end.
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Step 5
Think of it as laying a giant fitted sheet on a giant bed. Your goal is to get the liner as close as possible to it's final insertion points when stretching it out. Pay special attention to how the corners are lining up as you stretch out the liner. You will start by inserting the corners into the track so you need to be sure the liner corners are aligned with the corners of the pool.
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Step 6
When you get it stretched out in the general shape you can insert small areas of the beaded liner into the track to keep it in place and take the weight off of you and your friends. Then you can begin concentrating on inserting the liner into the track in it's proper position.To insert simply push the liner bead into the track then the liner will hang down from that point.
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Step 7
Begin working at the shallow end inserting the liner into the track. Constantly check that the corners are aligned and that the liner is hanging straight down from the track. Use your friends on either side of you to help you pull and manipulate the liner into the right position. You can also use 2 crews to work down both sides of the pool at the same time. NOTE- it will be next to impossible to make adjustments to the liner after you begin adding water so take the extra time and effort during these steps.
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Step 8
If the liner is the right size then you should have a relatively smooth cover that matches the contour of your pool. You may have to pull a little harder to work in that last corner or piece of liner into the track. Just be careful. One trick we would use if we had an area of coping where the liner continued to slip out was to stick a coin in between the track and the liner to keep the liner from pulling out during this time. After the water is added the liner will usually stay in place since it will then have the waters weight pulling down on the liner.
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Step 9
Ok...so why do you need a vacuum cleaner? It's not to clean up, actually what you do is insert the hose into one of the deep end corners between the pool wall and the liner. Remove the bead from the track in this area, insert the hose straight down about a foot or so behind the liner toward the bottom of the pool, duct tape and seal the area as much as possible where the hose is inserted behind the liner.Again, be careful to prevent ripping the liner. You are now going to attempt to pull a giant vacuum on the liner to help smooth it against the pool walls before you start adding water.Be sure to tape any areas or openings that might prevent the vacuum from being pulled. It will take a little while but you should see the liner starting to flatten and smooth against the pool wall as the vacuum runs.Use the common black rounded hose of a wet/dry vacuum. Don't allow the vacuum to pull the liner into the hose opening. You are trying to remove the air behind the liner not make a new hole in your brand new liner.
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Step 10
Once the liner has pulled tight against the walls you are ready to start adding the water. Keep in mind that getting all the wrinkles out before you start adding water is nearly impossible as is getting them all out after the pool is full. So where does that leave you? It's time to get wet! You will have to follow the level of water up as it fills in the pool removing the small wrinkles and bumps as the water level rises. Usually you need a foot or so of water over an area to be able to remove the wrinkle for good. More water than that and you will find it difficult to move the wrinkle at all.
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Step 11
To remove the wrinkles you can usually push or pull the liner in a direction to "move" the wrinkle up the wall.Put the fingertips of both hands on either side of the wrinkle and try to push in opposite directions to flatten out the wrinkle. Or you might try simply pulling up on the liner in that area to move the wrinkle up toward the wall. Whatever method you find works best the key is to do it now. Once the water is in you will not be able to make the adjustment. Stop adding water or even pump some out if needed to make sure you have a wrinkle free liner before adding more water.You won't be happy with the job if you feel wrinkles under your feet every time you use your pool.
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Step 12
As you follow the wrinkles and water level up you should be able to stop the vacuum after you get a foot or so of water into the shallow end. At this point your liner should be more or less fixed into place. Remove the hose from behind the liner and insert the portion of the bead back in the track where the hose was inserted.Continue adding the water to the proper level.
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Step 13
What about all my jets, skimmers and drains?...well, you will still need those. The trick here is to be sure the liner is in it's proper place before you start reopening these holes. We would allow the water level to fill then take the covers of the returns and drains (you did remove these first, right?) and place them over over their respective opening lining up the screw holes with the faceplate or cover.If your liner is good and tight you should be able to see the outline.Place the cover over the opening, use an ice pick to puncture the mounting screw holes then install the faceplate or cover as you would normally.Tighten down the screws. Once the cover is in it's proper position it's time to use a razor knife to (gasp) slice open and remove the portion of the liner that's covering the opening. Use the inside of the cover or plate to guide your knife. Just be sure you don't make any cuts outside of the cover plate or drop your knife during this operation.The main drain (drain at bottom of the deep end) is sometimes a challenge during this step. We would fill the pool to normal level then dive down, install the plate and cut the liner while holding our breath. If you don't think you have the lung capacity for this you might consider cutting this one after the level starts coming up a few feet in the deep end. Just remember, if you cut too early and the liner changes positions...your out of luck.
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Step 14
At this point you should have a smooth, wrinkle free new liner with all your drains and jets ready to go again. Treat your water, circulate your pump,put up the tools and enjoy the swim.
