Prepare and Install an Above Ground Swimming Pool Liner

Template:CopyeditbotDo you think that only the pro's can do it? Think again. Although we recommend a professional installer, with the correct tools and care most anyone can install their liner. Just follow the guide below, and you decide. A little work can save you a lot of money!

Steps

Preparation

1. Drain all water from pool. You may use a sump pump, your filtration system or siphon hose.
2. Remove all hung ladders from liner area and any other equipment that may obstruct liner area.
3. Remove all face plates and gaskets from inside pool area, i.e. through-the-wall(s), return(s), lights, etc.
4. Inspect all face plates, gaskets and hardware for cracks/rips and/or wear. Replace as needed.
5. Remove seat clamps, pool ledges, top plates and top rail, basically the top end of pool.
6. Remove old liner. You can use a razor knife and cut into smaller pieces for easier removal.
7. Inspect pool base and cove for wash outs and evenness. Repair as needed with a masonry sand.
8. Remove old duct tape from the wall bolt seam.
9. Re-tape wall bolt seam with duct tape.
10. Sweep entire pool area clear of pebbles, rocks, sharp edges and all debris.

Installation

1. Temporarily unroll your new liner in a sunny, debris free area. (this will assist liner to stretch later on)
2. Seal the through-the-wall skimmer area with cardboard. (attach with duct tape on the outside of pool wall)
3. Seal the water return, lighting holes with duct tape. (duct tape from outside of pool wall)
4. Insert 2' of shop vac hose through the card boarded skimmer area cardboard. (duct tape well, until sealed)
5. Inspect all duct taped areas. (these must be good seals)
6. Re-inspect pool base. (insure there is no debris, rocks, pebbles or rough areas!)
7. Attach two wooden clothes pins to each upright.
8. Fold new liner in half.
9. Place liner in pool area, retaining both ends. (get some help! don't let liner fall inside pool area!)
10. Carefully unfold liner in pool area. (do not get inside pool, you can do this from outside of pool area)
11. Attach liner to pool wall using the clothes pins. (pull liner about 6" over the wall and attach)
12. Evenly pull liner further over the wall, releasing and attaching pins as needed. (to about 15")
13. Gently brush and tap liner towards the walls. (this will visually assist you in the final liner setting)
14. Inspect and Adjust liner as needed. (insure that the bottom seam is even all around the perimeter)
15. Now get some help! (we don't want the wall to fall! This next step will happen fast!)
16. Hook up shop vac to vac hose and turn on. (this will simulate water and suck all air out of liner area)
17. Release liner EVENLY as it tightens by releasing and attaching clothes pins. (while doing step #18)
18. Gently brush and tap liner around entire perimeter towards the walls. (this will remove all wrinkles)
19. Continue releasing and brooming the liner until it is seated and even! (if not, go to step #12)
20. Inspect liner for wrinkles and alignment, if ok continue, if not shut off vac and go to step #12. (critical)
21. If all is well, start filling with water. (DO NOT SHUT OFF VACUUM or you'll get wrinkles!!!)
22. Continue to fill until at least 1" of water covers the entire bottom of pool.
23. Shut off shop vac! (Finally!)
24. Reassemble seat clamps, pool ledges, top plates and top rail. (while removing clothes pins)
25. Continue filling pool until one foot of water covers the entire bottom of pool.
26. Install all face plates and gaskets. (find at least two holes per item and punch out with awl)
27. Carefully cut out all liner material from gasketed areas. (returns, skimmers, lights, etc..)
28. Remove all duct taped seals. (return and feed lines, steps, etc..)
29. Fill to appropriate operational level.
30. Hook up filtration system and any accessories.
31. Add your start up chemicals.

Tips

• Never empty a pool to clean the liner. (You run the risk of the liner shrinking and/or actually cracking... since pool chemicals have an adverse effect on the vinyl liner after about a year or two of service).
• Wrinkles "really are bad". Because dirt and debris get caught in them, vacuuming becomes more difficult and finally they become targets for tearing from usage or vacuuming.

Warnings

• These tips apply to above ground overlap vinyl liners without hoppers (deep ends).

Things You'll Need

• Duct tape
• Shop vac
• Soft bristled broom
• Tape measure
• Extension cord
• Awl or punch
• Screwdrivers
• Razor knife
• Sump pump
• Wooden clothes pins
• Garden hose
• Possibly five gallon pail
• Possibly landscaping rake
• Possibly pre-washed masonry sand
• Possibly flat shovel

Related Articles

• Know How Many Hours to Run a Pool Filter
• Drain and Refill Your Swimming Pool
• Shop for and Install a Jacuzzi
• Make Someone Get in a Pool

See also

• Build a Deck Around an Above Ground Pool
• Set up an Intex Easy Set Pool
• Winterize Your Above Ground Pool
• Put in an Above Ground Pool
• Open Your Above Ground Swimming Pool After Winter
• Landscape an Above Ground Pool
• Choose the Correct Replacement Liner for Above Ground Pools

What links here

• Close Your Swimming Pool for the Winter
• Install in Ground Swimming Pool Liners
• Open Your Above Ground Swimming Pool After Winter
• Set up an Intex Easy Set Pool