Swimming pools that are equipped with pool vinyl liners are great options for swimming pools! One of the benefits of a vinyl liner pool is that the steel walls that support the pool structure are held in the ground by a concrete footing, and then the liner is attached to the steel walls through a liner track which is often connected to the coping, with the two words often being used interchangeably. This construction method is particularly useful in the Midwest, where the pool and the liner, which holds the water are two separate pieces allowing for movement during the freeze/thaw cycles caused by the seasonal weather.
Vinyl liner pools can have your swimming pool ready for you in a matter of days instead of a matter of weeks, as is the case with gunite and concrete swimming pools. Vinyl liners will also last you a very long time, if you take care of them properly. Here are a few tips on how to care for your swimming pool’s vinyl liner, so it will last you for many warm days to come!
The best thing you can do to maintain your vinyl liner’s appearance and function is to maintain your water chemistry. If the water balance is off and the water becomes “aggressive” it can cause bleaching, wrinkling, and hardening of the liner itself. These can be purely cosmetic issues, though in the case of wrinkling it can also be a long term physical defect.
Preventative measures are some of the best maintenance steps you can take in ensuring that your swimming pool’s vinyl liner stays in tip-top shape for many years to come. Chlorine, algae, and improper pH levels can greatly wear down your vinyl liner and make it much more prone to damage and tears. Always make sure that you keep the appropriate chemical levels in your pool so that your liner doesn’t pay the price! Keeping your swimming pool’s water filtration at the right level will also help keep your liner in good condition as this can often be the problem of residual build-up around the perimeters of your pool.
Vinyl liners also need to be cleaned every now and then to keep them in good condition. There are special vinyl cleansers that are especially made to clean vinyl pool liners and that will be very gentle on your liner. It’s important to not only clean the vinyl liner when you notice it’s dirty, but also include it as part of your regular pool maintenance because there could be very small particles of bacteria or algae on the liner that you can’t see just by looking at it. A liner should be brushed down with a routine frequency to prevent algae from adhering to the liner.
Vinyl pool liners can also get small rips or tears in them from time to time. It is important to remind children and adults to avoid using sharp objects around the pool. Teach your dog to enter and exit the pool at the stairs or ladder. Make sure that any automatic pool cleaners that are used in the pool are specifically designed for use in vinyl liner pools. Also keep your liner in mind while entertaining, be careful about the type of dishes that are used, and the beverage containers. There are some very nice selections available in plastics that look like expensive glass wear. If you should find yourself with a hole, tear, or leak in your vinyl liner, make sure that these are fixed and repaired promptly so that they do not cause further damage to the liner or to the structure of the pool. There are many DIY kits that you can buy to fix these yourself quickly and easily so that you can take care of it as soon as you need to. Your swimming pool professional can also be a great resource for liner patching, as well an performing liner replacements.
Vinyl liners are terrific for swimming pools. But you do need to take some simple steps in caring for them to ensure that they last you for as long as possible!