Swimming Pool Liner Installation

Install a pool liner to help avoid leaks.

Once you prepare a pool site and erect the pool walls, the time comes to install the pool liner. This is more complicated than simply draping the liner between the pool walls. Proper installation prevents leaks and the necessity for repairs and replacements. Whether you are erecting a new pool or replacing the liner of an older pool, you should follow the same instructions for installing pool liners in both situations.

Things You'll Need

• Swimming pool liner kit
• Assistant
• Masonry sand
• Liner clamps
• Duct tape

Instructions

1. Take the kit package and remove all the items from the inside, setting aside both the liner and the rest of the parts and hardware provided. Place the liner completely unfolded on a flat surface or floor, being careful not to put it on top of sand, stones or spikes that can damage the material and cause holes and cuts. Let it sit unfolded for a while to smooth out wrinkles and creases. Do not step on the liner.

2. Get the walls of the pool ready. Empty the pool if this is not a first time installation and remove the old liner by taking off the swimming pool top walls and prying the clamps and duct tape that attach the liner to the wall. Withdraw the liner. Clean the surface of the bottom of the pool removing grass and plant sprouts that can arise under the liner and level the surface.

3. Prepare the floor of the pool before setting the new liner. Make a leveled base of sand for new pools. Fill the bottom of the pool with sand so that it piles up on the walls to avoid trapped air between the bottom edge of the walls and the liner. Check the sand underneath an old liner if it's not a first time installation. Fix the sand base, if needed.

4. Extend the liner over the pool and start pushing it down to put it in place. Get assistance to accomplish this task. Be careful not to walk over it or scratch it with rocks, gravel, little branches or any other debris. Lay the liner against the walls and bottom of the pool, using the same method you would use with a sticker, slowly sticking the surface to the walls of the pool and its bottom while avoiding the creation of air pockets.

5. Secure the liner to the outer edge of the pool wall using duct tape. Roll up the excess liner if needed and tack the strips of duct tape over it as well, holding the rolled liner to the walls. Depress the clamps down to the ends of the liner for tighter fastening.

6. Smooth out bumps, air pockets or wrinkles. Let the water run until it reaches the 2 inch level. Take your shoes off and and get into the pool barefoot, stroking the liner using your clean feet and hands to flatten the surface. Take the clamps and duct tape off to adjust the liner if it feels off center. Replace the clamps and tape and continue smoothing out the surface, once the liner is in the correct position.

7. Fill the pool a few more inches of water. Get into the pool barefoot and keep adjusting and smoothing out the liner. Get rid of all of the wrinkles. Any wrinkles left in the liner won't come out until the pool is completely full and can lead to damaged areas, scratches and water leaking.

8. Finish filling up the pool with water and reattach the top walls of the swimming pool.

References

• Overlap Pool Liner Installation Instructions
• Above Ground Pool Liner Installation