How to Patch Swimming Pool Leaks
A portable, inflatable swimming pool is vulnerable to being torn during use. A tear in the vinyl results in a deflated pool and--worse--deflated spirits of those who want to use it. Use a vinyl repair kit to fix a tear in an inflatable swimming pool. These kits are available from hobby stores and craft suppliers. The repair procedure is straightforward, and requires a few tools that most households will have on hand. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Household cleaning spray
- Paper towels
- Extension cord, 20-foot
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Paper
- Heat gun
- Vinyl repair kit
- Ruler
Instructions
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1
Empty the water from the pool. Place the pool on dry ground next to the side of the house.
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2
Flatten the section of the pool where the tear is located. Spray a household cleaner on and around the tear. Wipe the section free of dirt and other contaminants, using a paper towel.
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3
Plug an extension cord into a power outlet on the side of the wall or near the patio. If there is no exterior power outlet, use one from inside the house.
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4
Trail the extension cord to the pool. Plug a heat gun into the free end of the cord. Turn the heat gun on. Set the control switch at medium. Play the stream of heated air over the section of the pool where the tear is located, using a back-and-forth motion. Continue to heat the section of the pool with the heat gun until the section is completely dry. Turn the heat gun off.
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5
Measure the length and width of the tear with a tape measure. Write the dimensions on a piece of paper.
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6
Cut a circle out of a patch from the vinyl repair kit, using scissors. The circle should be 1/2 inch larger on all sides than the tear.
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Place the cut patch on top of the tear. Press down on the patch with one hand, while holding the heat gun in the other. Play a stream of heated air from the heat gun over the patch in a back-and-forth motion.
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Continue to heat the patch until it has completely adhered to the pool. Remove your hand from the patch. Turn the heat gun off. Disconnect the heat gun from the extension cord, and the extension cord from the power outlet. Let the patch set overnight before you refill the pool.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images
