REQUEST A FREE QUOTE
Inground swimming pools require a vinyl liner. The average lifespan of pool liners is 10 years, and they can last quite a long time — if you do regular maintenance. It’s not all about deep cleaning but rather taking precautions. With that in mind, here’s how to extend the life of your swimming pool liner:
- Opening and Closing Your Pool Properly
The procedure for opening and closing will vary from one liner to the other. Proper opening and closing are essential to ensuring a long liner life and the health of the pool overall. Improper closing can especially cause significant damage to a liner, and if you’re anxious about doing it, you should have a professional service like Solda Pools close it for you.
- Regular Inspections
A vinyl swimming pool liner is always at risk of rips and tears. That’s why you need to be proactive by inspect ing the liner on a regular basis. You can do this when cleaning, but also check when you’re not cleaning. Once a week is a good rule of thumb when the pool is in use, and even during months where the pool is covered, you should occasionally check for small rips that need to be patched up.
- Schedule Professional Repair Immediately
If you do notice a rip, schedule a professional in swimming pool liner repair as soon as possible. An expert can inspect the liner, make repair recommendations and can even repair the liner same day.
- Never Empty Your Pool
Avoid emptying your pool entirely. An older liner can shrink and crack, and can also become brittle with age. There’s nothing you can really do about it (other than buying a new liner) except keep your pool filled. People often want to empty a pool to clean the floor, but it isn’t necessary. Remember, to always maintain 12 inches of water at the shallow end.
- Choose Pool Equipment Designed for Your Liner
Not all pool equipment and accessories are designed for pool liners. Among the most common ways that people rip liners is using a vacuum that wasn’t designed for vinyl. Sharp metal ends on a pool pole, for instance, can also tear vinyl.
- Clean the Liner Gently
Even with a vacuum and other swimming pool maintenance equipment that is designed for vinyl, you’ll want to take extra care. Never use a pole without a proper attachment, and avoid using it to fish out a pool toy or other objects. You may be surprised at how many homeowners have done something so innocuous, such as dropping the pole and end up tearing their liner.
- Pay Attention to the Waterline
When you’re cleaning, make note of the waterline. This is where sunlight can do a lot of damage. It’s recommended that you clean the area at and above the waterline with a vinyl cleaner and do it more often than you clean other parts of your pool.
- Maintain pH Balance
Water chemistry is extremely important when it comes to liner longevity. If your pH is too alkaline, scaling can occur, which will blend with dirt and buildup as deposits on the liner. If, on the other hand, pH is too acidic, the liner can wrinkle or pucker.
- Use Chlorine Sparingly
Chlorine is a harsh chemical, and a common mistake people make when it comes to their liners is overusing chlorine. When you do have to shock the pool, let the powder dissolve in a bucket of water before dumping it in the pool. Automatic chlorinators are the best solution for maintaining daily chlorine levels with chlorine tablets. Salt systems are very popular but remember — you’re still operating a chlorine pool.
- Avoid Non-Pool Toys
It should be obvious but people—kids in particular—make this mistake all the time. Any sharp-edged toys present a serious risk and can tear vinyl. If it’s not designed for a pool, don’t use it, and emphasize this with your kids and their friends.
If you own or are considering a pool with a liner or would like more advice on pool maintenance, call the professionals at Solda Pools today at 289-201-2487 or contact us here.
