Suppose you’re almost on your way to jump in your favorite pool, just when you discover that the yard of your in-ground pool is a bit swampy under your feet. Again, if you own an above ground pool, you might find out one fine morning that there’s a growing waterfall being sprung from the side of that pool. If you own a pool for a very long time, some of these scenarios will be very common for you by now.
But, if you’re experiencing this for the first time, don’t make yourself panic. All you just need to do is patching your pool liner. This task shouldn’t be much of your headache if you can do the things accordingly. Here is a beginner’s guide for you.
Why is learning how to patch a pool liner is important?
If you don’t address the leakages on your pool liner, it may cause you serious further dangers and loss of many of your bucks afterward. Let’s know how it can cause you problems.
In-ground pool problems
If your pool is made of concrete, there’s a good chance that it’ll develop cracks over time. A crack or leak in the in-ground pool will cause a pocket of water storage just under the pool deck. It will eventually result in contributing to soil erosion, deck cave-ins, concrete erosion, algae development, rust growth on steel pools, etc.
Above-ground pool problems
When your above-ground pool, like the Intex pool, gets a leak, water will keep draining until the level reaches that of the leak level. If you’re lucky enough, then the leak might be close to the top rail only. In such a case, only a slight margin of water will pour out. But if it’s on the brink of the pool floor, a lot of water will leak and make the yard a messy, muddy one. Patching the pool will also get difficult then.
Instant patches for your pool leaks
You can quickly fix your pool leaks by using any of the following:
Water-resistant tape
Waterproof tapes are suitable for repairing all sorts of pool leaks. It’s actually duct tape coming with UV and water-resistant features. To cover up any larger leak, you can overlap this tap and create a larger patch section. Though, the tape is perfect for patching smaller sections, as is its tendency to get peeled. Still, you can rely on this for its durable nature and budget-friendly option.
Vinyl patch
The slightly larger leak that you can’t patch using waterproof tape can easily be covered up with a vinyl patch kit. It also gives users a long-term patching solution. The kit comes with a large chunk of the vinyl adhesive patch that works perfectly underwater in your pool. It also includes a well-laminated PVC material to properly patch the external part of your pool wall.
Peel and stick patch
It functions as a waterproof tape but is vinyl made and specially designed for patching inflatable pool liners. There’s some peel and stick patches coming as perfectly round shaped. They also show less tendency to peel up around their edges. These items are less expensive as well. If you want to patch small tears on your pool liner, then just go for it.
How to complete the underwater patching process?
Draining all water out of your above-ground pool will collapse its walls. Whenever pools with vinyl liner get emptied, they are too much exposed to the dangerous UV rays, and ultimately make the liner fragile. Emptying an in-ground pool for the purpose of patching the leak may weaken the liner and further cause some structural damage. It’s better to patch the pool in underwater conditions. The patching process involves the following steps:
Cleaning the area first
If the pool wall is filled with debris and filth like algae, then it would be harder for the patches to stick on there. So, you need to clean them with a non-abrasive scouring pad. Scrubbing would make the leak bigger. DON’T DO THAT.
Cutting the patch
Measure the hole first, and gently trim the vinyl patch with a diameter of at least two inches greater than the hole. Peel and stick adhesives already come in a circular shape.
Applying adhesive on the back surface
Choose a better pool adhesive. Make sure that the swimming pool patches are out of any debris, and then apply the adhesive on its back surface. You won’t need any adhesive if you use the peel and stick patch. It comes with an adhesive back part covered with paper.
Fold the patch half-wise
Fold the patch like a taco, keeping the sticky side outward, and then immerse it under the pool water.
Patching the leak
Get the patch up to the hole, unfold it slowly, and then hold it over the leak for two minutes. Apply some weight and press the whole place gently. If necessary, apply a double patch to cover the liner leak properly.
Bottom Line
Avoiding a leak on your pool liner might be a tough one to do, but patching it can really be done instantly. If you’re careful enough, you can certainly enjoy your pool liner for several years. Just keep an eye, and take immediate patching steps. That’s all it needs.