above-ground pools

Our Bermuda above ground pool is pretty great.

The lifespan of your pool depends on the condition of its liner. This is why it's important to inspect the liner every year. Eventually, you will need to replace it. Don't be daunted! It's really not so bad.

Our overall advice: hire a professional to replace the liner. It will cost you a little, but if you shop around you'll find that the cost isn't so bad. Just make sure you get someone who has the licenses and qualifications to perform the job. Always look for reviews and recommendations!

But if you really, really want to do it yourself ... it's not so bad. Set aside a big block of time, get together the materials, enlist someone to help you, and follow our guide:

Replacing an Above-Ground Pool Liner

Before proceeding, measure and then re-measure the pool, then order the new liner. Try to avoid buying cheaper liners--the short-term savings may be attractive, but they may end up costing you more down the road. The thicker the liner the more durable it tends to be. Also consider investing in a liner guard to protect the liner from punctures or tears.

• Drain all the water from the pool.
• Remove all hung ladders and any other equipment that obstructs the liner area. Also remove all face plates, gaskets, lights, and etc. from the interior of the pool. Use this opportunity to inspect this hardware for cracks or wear that may indicate it needs replacement.
• Remove hardware on the top end of the pool: seat clamps, ledges, top plates, the top rail, and etc.
• Now for the fun stuff: remove the old liner. You may need to use a razor knife to cut the liner into smaller pieces.
• Inspect the pool base and cove. Repair any unevenness or wash outs with masonry sand.
• Remove duct tape from the wall bolt seam and re-tape it with fresh tape.
• Sweep the inside of the pool thoroughly to ensure there are no pebbles or debris. Check for any sharp edges that might tear the new liner and either remove, file down, or tape over them.
• Unroll the new liner in a clear, sunny area. The warmth helps the liner stretch during installation. Be sure to follow any instructions that came with the liner.
• Seal the skimmer area with cardboard using duct tape on the outside of the pool wall. Also seal the water return and lighting holes with duct tape on the outside of the pool wall. Then insert 2 feet of a shop vacuum hose through the cardboard that covering the skimmer area. Duct tape it on until well sealed. Reinspect all the duct tape seals--they need to be really good seals!
• Re-inspect the pool bottom and remove all debris--even the tiniest pebble can cause damage to your new liner!
• Clip two wooden clothes pins to each upright.
• Get some help with this next part to ensure you don't damage the new liner: Fold the new liner in half and place it in the pool. Unfold it carefully--you should be able to do this from outside the pool.
• Pull the liner up over the wall about 6 inches and attach to the pool wall with the clothes pins. Now you want to evenly and carefully pull the liner further over the wall, removing and reclipping the pins as needed, until about 15 inches of the liner folds over the pool wall.
• With a light touch, brush and tap the liner toward the walls. Inspect and adjust the liner as needed. Double check that the bottom seam is even all around the perimeter of the pool.
• Attach a shop vac to the hose you previously attached to the cardboard in the skimmer area. Turn it on. It will suck the air out of the liner area. You want to release the liner as evenly as possible as it tightens by releasing and re-attaching the clothes pins as needed. Continue to gently brush and tap the liner toward the wall around the entire pool to remove wrinkles. Proceed in this fashion until the liner is seated and even with no wrinkles. If there are persistent wrinkles, shut off the vacuum and start over by reclipping the liner to the wall. Don't cheat!
• Once the liner is set and wrinkle-free, begin filling the pool with water WITHOUT shutting off the vacuum. Fill until there is about 1 foot of water in the pool. Now you can shut off the vac.
• Re-install all face plates and gaskets. Use your fingers to find the holes they used to go into and use a sharp awl to carefully puncture that area. With a sharp razor knife, carefully cut out the liner from the skimmer and light areas and remove all of your duct tape seals.
• Finish filling the pool with water. Hook up the filtration system and pool accessories. Add your pool chemicals and you're done!

PRO TIPS:

It is super important that there be no wrinkles because wrinkles trap debris, make vacuuming the pool difficult, and they will eventually cause tears in the lining, greatly diminishing the lifespan of the liner and the pool itself.

To clean the liner, you don't need to empty the pool. In fact, doing so can cause the liner to shrink or crack.

WARNINGS:

This guide is for above ground overlap vinyl liners without deep ends. If your pool has a variation in depth, please seek a professional's help in replacing your liner.

Above Ground Pool Installation Videos

Have an in-ground pool? Check out our guide on in-ground pool liners here.

Above-ground pools are making a comeback due to their many benefits. With new innovations in the above-ground pool market and all the exciting bonuses of purchasing this type of pool, people are looking towards them more and more to satisfy their desire to have sensational swimming in their own backyard. Here are some benefits and highlights to purchasing an above-ground pool instead of in-ground pool.

The benefits include:

Cost - The major benefit of an above-ground pool is the lower cost. When compared to an in-ground pool, the savings is many thousands of dollars. Also, in-ground pools add to the value of your home and cause your home to be assessed at a higher rate, increasing your property taxes. This is typically not an issue with an above-ground pool since it is not a permanent addition to a home.

Portability - The portability of an above-ground pool is also a major benefit. You can relocate the pool if you redesign your backyard landscape or want it in a sunnier location, or take it with you if you purchase a new home. Above-ground pools offer many size options to fit your needs. You can also take them down after summer to allow the use of your full yard during winter or the off-season, if needed.

Ease of Installation - The installation of an above-ground pool is simple and painless compared to the long process of installing an in-ground pool. Instead of tearing apart the backyard, above-ground pools can be installed in less than a day with minimal intrusion to current backyard landscaping.

Similar Features - Above-ground pools come with many different features and accessories including diving boards, steps, slides, and more. They come in all shapes and sizes to accommodate a huge crowd or small family. Enjoying your backyard pool is equally as rewarding above-ground as it is in-ground.

Safer Option - Depending on how you set up the above-ground pool, it is typically more difficult for small children or pets to fall in. You can remove the ladder when the pool is not in use, making it nearly impossible to enter and making it a safer alternative to in-ground setups. There are also a full range of safety ladders for above-ground pools. Some have a flip up ladder, some have locking gates, and more.

Easier Maintenance - Despite still needing chemicals and a filter, above-ground pools are smaller than in-ground pools and require fewer chemicals and less water. Also, above-ground pool heating options can be cheaper as well.

Pool season is slowing down in many parts of the country, making this the perfect time to start thinking about the next pool season. There are many benefits to consider when deciding between an in-ground or above-ground pool. Look at all of your options and weigh the benefits to help you make the best decision for your new pool.