Is your floor wet due to a leak in your pool liner?
As your pool inevitably ages and gets old and worn down, your pool liner also starts to deteriorate and may start developing holes. Water can get everywhere due to these holes. How do you fix this issue? Does it now have leaks?
If you are in need of repairing these leaks, then how would you go about repairing them?
First of all, it is important to understand why addressing leaks is important. If your pool is above ground, then water leakages can cause damage to your backyards or pool decks. If the leak is near the top of the pool wall, then it may only lead to a slight overflow of water, but if it is near the bottom, then it can create pressure within the pool walls and cause them to burst.
If your pool is inground, the leak can lead to the erosion of the mud near the pool and can lead to a cave-in also. It can also lead to the rusting of the pipes and railings or can crack the concrete walls.
Additional information you need to know
- Distinguishing between a leak and evaporation – If the total water loss is only half an inch, the water has simply evaporated. However, if the water that is lost is more than an inch, then you are dealing with a leak.
- Locating the leak – When you are able to confirm that there is a leak, you need to see where the water is leaking from and how big the hole/crack is.
The size of the leak is not necessarily the key issue. The important thing is whether the liner is overall in a condition worth repairing or not. For example, patching a leak may extend the life of a liner by 5 years, but if it was already severely damaged, it may need repairing again in just a few days, making the effort not worth it.
If the liner is in great shape and only 2 years old with a 5-inch tear, you can certainly repair it as it is not too old yet and is otherwise in great condition. However, if it is 15 years old with only a 2-inch tear, then even though the tear may be easier to fix, it may be easier to just get a new one as a 15-year-old liner may need constant attention.
The older liners get, the thinner they become, making them more prone to leaks, cuts, and weak spots. Patching up old liners may stop the current leak, but it cannot prevent new ones from appearing. You need to change your pool liners every few years.
How to Stop Leaks in Above-ground Pools
- Waterproof tape – This is useful for quick repairs as it is waterproof, UV-resistant, and affordable. Take an appropriately sized piece for the hole and paste it on. Be aware that there is a chance that the tape may start to peel off eventually, however.
- Peel and stick patches – These are perfect to patch up holes in your pools and their liners. They come in precut pieces and can be easily applied. Just peel the backing off and put it on the leaky area. These patches will also not easily peel off.
- Vinyl patch kits – These contain large chanks of liner and special vinyl that can be put on holes to repair them. They are used for large holes and also can be used on the pool if they are in need of repair.
How to Stop Leaks in in-ground Pools
- Clean the area– If there is any debris near the hole, clean that part of the liner. Use a non-abrasive scorching pad to clean around the hole. Do not scrub it as this can widen the hole.
- Trim the patch – If you are not using a patch kit, use the waterproof tape and cut it so that it is 2 inches larger than the hole itself.
- Apply adhesive – Once you have applied the patch or tape, apply an adhesive over it. The adhesive is like cement for the hole. Make sure it reaches all the edges.
- Apply pressure – Once the patch and adhesive have been applied to the hole, put a weight on it for 24 hours to ensure the everlasting effect of the repair.
Wrapping Up
Patching leaks is an easy and vital task that can be done in no time if any of the above methods are used. It is up to you to decide which method would suit your needs best. Even after patching up the liner, if there are cracks or leaks you might consider installing a new pool liner.
