Trouble Shooting Liners
After verifying all original dimensions, try the following trouble shooting tips prior to contacting The Vinyl Works. Some sound very elementary, but believe it or not, these things actually happen.
Liner Too Big Or Too Small
Do you have the liner dropped in the proper end? Sometimes the liner is labeled or boxed improperly resulting in the shallow end being dropped in the deep end. Turn the liner and try to install again. Is extreme heat or cold a factor? On really hot days a liner will stretch more than normal. Can you try to install in the liner early in the morning or later at night when it's cooler? Can cold water be sprinkled on the liner to cool it down? On extremely cold days the liner may not be able to stretch as needed. Can heated water be added or can the pool be tarped in and heated?
Too Little Or Too Much Sidewall
Is adding or removing some pool base an option? Can you cove up to the sidewall?
Wrinkles
Has a vacuum been used to install the liner? On larger pools it may be necessary to use more than one vacuum to achieve the proper vacuum necessary to pull the liner tight to the walls. Is the break in the proper location? Sometimes the liner is offset in the pool somewhat and this can result in wrinkles. Also see Liner too big or too small and Proper Care Ensures Long Life For Vinyl Pool Liners.
Seam Separation
Seam separations must be exactly on seam of weld. If there is a tear or hole of any other kind, it is probably not a warranty situation. Bead separations cannot be the result of bead tearing. Is it simply the case of some bead was not welded or had undue stress been put on bead resulting in a tear?
Freight Damage
Has a puncture hole in the liner box actually gone through the liner material? If so, make sure that you retain the box for the freight company. Contact shipper and shipping company immediately to file a claim.
Identifying Leaks
Unfortunately, there is no simple way to find the source of water loss from a swimming pool. The job, however, can be made easier by using a step by step approach such as the one outlined below. We assume that the pool has been cleaned and that a surface inspection has been made, with no results.
Step 1: Find out exactly how much water the pool is losing. remember that pool owners tend to exaggerate, so ask the customer to fill the pool to the correct operating level, mark it, and record the drop, morning and evening, for a few days.
A loss of 1/4 - 1/2 inch per day may indicate evaporation. (The cooler air at night will actually cause a higher rate of evaporation than the hot sun.) Wind is also a factor, and splash out water should also be considered.
A loss of 1/2 - 2 inches daily definitely indicates a problem. More than 2 inches lost should be caused by an easily visible hole in the liner or a broken pipe or fitting.
Step 2: Shut down the pump and filter system and plug all inlets and outlets.
If the loss stops, check the plumbing by pressure testing the lines or restarting the pump and blocking the individual lines in series and check for water loss. Don't forget to inspect the waste line of a sand filter for leakage through the multiport valve.
If the water level continues to fall, let it drop until it stops, but only to the bottom of the lowest cut-out in the liner (return fitting, deep suctions, or underwater light). This procedure may help identify the source of water loss.
Step 3: At this point the problem has been narrowed down to a small hole in the liner and an underwater inspection, with a diving mask, is required. Before proceeding, the pool should be absolutely spotless.
Check the corners and the entire area where the bottom meets the walls first. Using a dye such as the phenol red found in swimming pool test kits will help to determine if a suspected area is in fact leaking.
Most quality vinyl patch adhesives work very well underwater, eliminating the need for draining of the pool. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
