How to Patch Pool Liners

A swimming pool with vinyl liner

In pool construction, vinyl liners are the liner of choice for both above-ground and in-ground pools. A swimming pool needs a barrier between the body of pool water and the pool bottom to prevent the water from damaging the bottom. Sharp toys and debris in the water can cause the liner to tear or rip. Pool liners with rips and tears lose water rapidly and may even sink slightly into the pool base. Pool liners are easily patched with vinyl patch material and vinyl adhesives.

Things You'll Need

• Vinyl liner patch material
• Vinyl liner adhesive
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Pick out a vinyl patch material to use. Use water-resistant patch material and adhesive for drained pools. Use waterproof patch material and adhesive for pools still full of water.

2. Cut the patch material with scissors to the rip or tear size. Cut the vinyl patch material into a circle slightly bigger than the area being patched. For long or wide rips and tears, cut the material into a rectangle that is slightly larger than the area being patched.

3. Apply vinyl patch adhesive to the bottom of your patch material. Coat the bottom of the vinyl patch material with a liberal coat of adhesive so that all of the patch material's area is covered.

4. Patch the rip or tear with the adhesive-coated patch material. Hold the patch material down onto the rip or tear. Apply constant pressure to keep the patch pressed on the rip or tear. Hold the patch for at least 15 seconds. Run your hands slowly over the patch to eliminate any wrinkles in the patch material.

Tips & Warnings

• If applying the patch underwater, be as quick as you can. Waterproof adhesive and material exist but do not function properly if held underwater for a long period of time without applying.

References

• Pool Center.Com: Vinyl Liners