If your vinyl liner has seen better days or is worn out due to age, sunlight or other issues, a new liner is just the thing to make your pool feel bright and new again. Watch as this vinyl liner is replaced and showcases a new backyard swimming pool for the owners to enjoy for years to come!
Vinyl Liner Replacements
Replace your vinyl liner and breathe new life into your pool. Prices vary depending on your exact pool conditions and specifications. A basic liner installation includes: Removal and disposal of old liner, minor patching to hard-bottom, installation of new liner, replace gaskets and face plates as needed, cut in the liner once pool is full of water. Homeowner is responsible for the water to fill the pool, either by hose or trucked in – an average inground pool will cost approx. $1000 to fill via truck.
Ground Water and Vinyl Liner Swimming Pools
The concern with wet conditions for a vinyl liner replacement are that once the liner comes out, if ground water starts pouring into the pool through cracks in the hardbottom, or in between the steel walls it can cause issues with setting the liner properly and wrinkles. If ground water cannot be avoided there are several options, such a burying a pump under the pool, installing ancillary sump pumps near the pool to drain the water, or having a pump available during the installation to remove the water just long enough to get the new liner in and water on top of the liner to keep the ground water under control.
Floating Swimming Pool Liners
If you have a vinyl liner pool that experiences floating, it is a good idea to assess your yard and conditions. It is possible that a floating liner is caused by a leak in the liner, a pin hole is enough to drain an entire swimming pool. Other potential causes of a floating liner could be inadequate yard drainage, where the yard or patio slopes toward the pool rather than away from it. Gutters and downspouts on a home also protect the pool from the additional watershed that could occur. Broken underground sprinkler lines have also been found to cause water issues. If soil conditions are sand based, most water will drain away from under a pool relatively well. If the conditions are clay, or swampy with a high water table, some of the water remediation options may need to be explored.
Lifespan of Vinyl Liners
If a swimming pool liner is floating, it is often possible to drain the water from behind the liner and reset it. This is possible if the liner is newer (within 5 years of original installation). The typical vinyl liner will last up to 20 years, with the average being 10-12. The longevity of the liner depends on the care of the liner, attention to water chemistry, and overall pool environment. Often a liner will fade and the pattern will become less visible due to the sun and chemical use. If a liner is torn or ripped, sometimes a patch can be used to lengthen the lifespan of the liner. Once a liner gets older, it becomes less pliable and more brittle. In this instance, attempting to reset a floating liner could cause harm to the liner, and a full replacement would be recommended. It is also common to see liners start to pull away from the corners as they get older and more brittle. If the corner of a vinyl liner tears, patching will not usually hold, and the liner should be replaced.
Ask the Pool Guy Answers Vinyl Liner Questions
pH Wrinkles in Vinyl Liners
Another issue which is often present in vinyl liners are small wrinkles covering either a small part, or sometimes the entire surface of the pool walls or floor. These are called pH wrinkles, and are caused when the water chemistry is not maintained in the proper balance. Once pH wrinkles form due to the liner absorbing water due to low pH, low alkalinity or stabilizer levels, or excessive use of bromine, there is no way to remove them, and the only option would be to replace the liner.
The photo (above) shows pH Wrinkles in a vinyl liner pool
Homeowners often choose to perform vinyl liner pool renovations to address functional issues such as leaking or wrinkling, though many times it’s purely aesthetic. If your family enjoys a pretty pool more than an older looking or dated pool, then it’s always a great decision to make.
Vinyl Liner Swimming Pool Coping and Liner Track
Replacing the vinyl liner can make a huge difference in the overall swimming pool look and feel. If there is any thought that the liner track is fatigued or “letting go” of the liner, it must also be done at the same time as the liner replacement.
Vinyl Liner Swimming Pool Main Drains
When a liner is being replaced is also a great time to perform a main drain update. Many older vinyl liner pools are equipped with just one main drain. The code currently requires two dome-shaped drains, spaced at least 5′ apart be installed on new installations. At the least the main drain should be changed to reflect the dome-shape, and wherever possible, updating to two is the best choice.
Vinyl Liner Alterations
- New Facemount Coping
- Add snap lock or liner wedge to help track hold liner in place
- Liner Reset
- Patch Hardbottom
- Redo Entire Hardbottom
- Add Fiberglass Step to existing Steel Walled Pool
Our Liner Installations
Ask the Pool Guy is an authorized Kafko Dealer and has been installing Kafko Liners for over 25 years. Our team is experienced in the installation of most liner situations form the basic to much more complicated, including steps in the pool, rod pockets, loveseats, curved and freeform designs, sun-shelf, hybrid pools, and spas.
All Kafko prints are copyright and industrial patent design protected. Color of material may vary. Ask to see an actual sample. Seam lines are more visible on patterns that are printed on white base material.Certain patterns may be exclusive to geographic locations.
Legendary Escapes/Ask the Pool Guy is an authorized Kafko Dealer and has been installing Kafko Liners for over 25 years. Our team is experienced in the installation of most liner situations form the basic to much more complicated, including steps in the pool, rod pockets, loveseats, curved and freeform designs, sun-shelf, hybrid pools, and spas.
Liner Manufacturing by Latham Industries/Kafko Liners
How a Liner Is Made
Liner Install: Farmington Hills
Liner Replacement, Farmington Hills, MI 2012 (Liner Chosen: Mountaintop/Blue Mosaic)
Liner Install: Canton, MI
Liner Replacement Livonia, MI 2012 (Liner Chosen: Cambridge Tile/Prism by Kafko)
Liner Install: Novi, MI
Liner Replacement Novi, MI 2011 (Deep End Love Seat, Shallow End Vinyl Covered Step) (Liner Chosen: Spanish Tile/Reef )
Jim: A Happy Customer
Jacqui: A Happy Customer
Liner Selection/Choices
If we have recently completed your new in-ground vinyl liner pool, or a vinyl liner replacement, please use this link to register your liner for the Manufacturer’s Warranty.
Here’s a cool visual simulation of your liner in a pool environment.
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CALIFORNIA TILE / CRYSTAL |
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GEOMETRIC TILE / CRYSTAL |
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COURTSTONE / NATURAL GREY |
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COURTSTONE BLUE / NATURAL BLUE |
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SLATE GREY TILE / BLACK GRANITE |
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TAN SIERRA TILE / GOLD PEBBLE |
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VISTANA TILE / CRYSTAL |
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PANAMA TILE / PRISM |
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ARUBA TILE / BLUE GRANITE |
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MOONSTRUCK TILE / CREEKSTONE |
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FRENCH RIVIERA TILE / BLUE MOSAIC |
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BLUE SIERRA TILE / CRYSTAL |
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SOLONA TILE / BLUE MARBLE |
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MOUNTAIN TOP TILE / BLUE MOSAIC |
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HAMILTON TILE / COBBLESTONE |
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CAESAR’S PALACE TILE / PRISM |
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TULUM TILE / BLUE GRANITE |
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STONE BRAID TILE / PRISM |
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CANCUN TILE / BLUE GRANITE |
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INVERNESS TILE / BLUE MARBLE |
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CAMBRIDGE TILE / PRISM |
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CAPRI TILE / FRESCO II |
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INDIGO MARBLE TILE / BLUE GRANITE |
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DYNASTIE TILE / BLUE GRANITE |
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CHEYENNE TILE / CRYSTAL |
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TUSCAN TILE / FRESCO II |
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FULL / BLUE MOSAIC |
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STRATFORD TILE / PRISM |
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FULL / NATURAL GREY |
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FULL / NATURAL BLUE |
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FULL / BLUE GRANITE |
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FULL / COBBLESTONE |
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FULL / CREEKSTONE |
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FULL / FRESCO II |
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FULL / GOLD PEBBLE |
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FULL / BLACK GRANITE |
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FULL / TYE DYE |
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FULL / SKY BLUE |
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FULL / PRISM |
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FULL / BLUE MARBLE |
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FULL / CRYSTAL |
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ALL / WHITE |
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FULL / PACIFIC BLUE |
All Kafko prints are copyright and industrial patent design protected. Color of material may vary. Ask to see an actual sample. Seam lines are more visible on patterns that are printed on white base material.Certain patterns may be exclusive to geographic locations.