How to Troubleshoot Above-Ground Pool Liners

If you're the owner of an above-ground pool, locating a leak in a hose is not a difficult task. However, it's a different story when the leak is somewhere in the pool liner. Underwater leaks due to rips or tears in your liner can be more difficult to pinpoint. There are some easy steps you can follow, however, that will lead you to the leak. Once it has been located, fixing it is simple.

Things You'll Need

• Electrical tape
• Plastic syringe
• Food coloring
• Grease pencil
• Underwater patch kit
• Goggles (optional)

Instructions

1. Circle the pool, observing the ground for any obvious wet areas. Inexplicably wet ground indicates the general area where the leaking is occurring. If such an area exists by your pool, mark the vicinity by placing a piece of electrical tape on the pool edge.

2. Fill a plastic syringe with water that has dark food coloring in it, such as green or red.

3. Turn off the pool pump, and enter the pool. Bring the syringe and a grease pencil. If you located a wet area outside the pool earlier, slowly move toward the tape you used to mark the area. If not, stay where you are.

4. Lower the syringe into the water, about 12 inches deep. Inject a small amount of colored water (dye) into the pool, approximately 5 inches away from the liner. Remain very still and watch where the dye goes. If it simply dissipates, this indicates no suction, and therefore no leak.

5. Lower the syringe slowly to a depth of 2 feet and repeat the process. If necessary, wear a diving mask to better see the lower depths. If the dye is not drawn toward a leak, lower the syringe another foot. Continue lowering the syringe, releasing the dye, and observing where it flows.

6. Move about 2 feet to your left or right, allow the water to settle, then begin the process again.

7. Use the grease pencil to circle the rip or tear in the liner once it has been located.

8. Cut a round patch out of the vinyl patching kit, and make it twice as large as the tear. Apply glue to the patch, and fold the glued side of the patch in half, in on itself.

9. Lower the patch into the water where the leak is. Open the patch to its original size, and firmly press it against the pool wall, completely covering the tear. Keep pressure on the patch for 60 seconds.

Tips & Warnings

• Have several plastic syringes on hand, already filled with dye. In this way you can remain in the pool if you run out of dye.

• Pool water will remain calmer if this is done on a windless day.

• Avoid getting glue on your skin. If glue comes in contact with your skin, read the label for instructions on removing it.

References

• Vinyl liner repair