Causes of Swimming Pool Liner Damage

One of your pool’s most crucial elements is its liner, so you must ensure it is pristine. The team at Premier Pools provides exceptional pool liner installation, repair, and replacement services in Waukesha, WI, and the surrounding areas. Your pool’s liner is a barrier between the water and the pool’s structure. Therefore, its protection is critical to maintaining a safe, reliable swimming area. Pool liner damage is both costly and dangerous, but our pool experts can help you prevent such damage so that you can splash around with family and friends all summer. Read further to understand why pool liner damage arises and how to prevent it.

Understanding the Causes of Pool Liner Damage

Maintaining your pool liner is essential. It guarantees your pool will stay beautiful and functional while also extending its lifespan. But to keep your pool liner in the best condition possible, you must be able to recognize and combat common problems. Premier Pools has been the region’s go-to pool company for a quarter-century, so we know the tricks of the trade. To help you, we’ve compiled a list of pool liner damage causes and prevention tips.

Improper Maintenance

When you choose swimming pool installation from the professionals at Premier Pools, you won’t need to worry about your liner’s initial condition. However, we are happy to help customers in the area who are dealing with issues that originated when their pool was installed by other companies. Pool Maintenance concerns can arise at any time, and some of the most common ones include:

• Leaks – In some cases, leaks may have existed from the beginning. But whether that is your situation or a leak occurs during use, it is important to address the problem immediately. If you don’t fix a leak, water can become trapped between the liner and pool wall, weakening your pool’s structure. Leaks may be present around skimmers, steps, drains, and lights. Regularly check these areas for signs of leakage. If they are present, repair them right away.
• Over-Bleaching – Excessive chlorine use can corrode your pool liner and make it brittle. We suggest testing your water regularly and dissolving shock treatments in water before adding them to your pool. Be sure not to over-shock the water.
• Unbalanced Water Chemistry – Unbalanced pH levels and calcium hardness will weaken and fade your pool liner. Test pH levels weekly and calcium levels every month to maintain balance and prevent corrosive conditions.

Environmental Factors

Some potential pool liner concerns are out of your control. Environmental factors can play a role in your liner’s durability. Be wary of:

• Air Exposure – We generally don’t recommend ever draining your pool completely. A dry, empty pool may cause your vinyl liner to shrink, crack, and become brittle. So, always leave 6-12” of water in the shallow end when performing cleanings or maintenance.
• Sun Exposure – Extended sun exposure can bleach your liner and reduce its lifespan. The best way to prevent this is to use shade structures, pool covers, and landscaping to block direct sunlight. You may also want to completely cover your pool when it’s not in use.

Common Mistakes

Other threats to your pool liner include common mistakes that pool owners make. Knowing about these blunders can help you extend your liner’s longevity:

• Using Improper Tools – Use only vinyl-safe tools and equipment designed for pool maintenance. Too many pool owners create problems using metal tools that can scratch, damage, or puncture a liner.
• Pets in Pool – We know your furry friend may want to take a quick dip, but they may unintentionally cause problems. If your dogs must join in on the fun, train them to exit the water safely and supervise their swims.

External Hazards

Finally, external hazards can create costly problems for pool owners. You want to protect your pool and its liner from:

• Sharp Objects – Fallen branches, rocks, and other sharp objects can puncture your liner. Regularly clear the pool area of these hazards. We also suggest trimming nearby shrubs and keeping decorative stones away from the pool.
• Inappropriate Toys – Noodles, floats, and balls are great for the pool. But any toys with pointy edges can tear your liner. Stick to soft-sided pool toys.

Tips for Preventing Your Vinyl Liner from Fading

Another common pool liner problem that is more of an eyesore than a danger is a faded appearance. Your pool’s liner is among the most important elements for showcasing your swimming area’s beauty. So, it is important to keep it looking its best. To do so, you should:

• Balance Water Chemistry – Maintain your pool’s pH level between 7.2 and 7.8 to prevent fading and corroding. Also, be sure to dissolve chlorine before adding it to your pool. Balanced water chemistry will help your liner look new for longer.
• Choose the Right Material – Our expert pool liner installers will help you choose the right material for your swimming pool. Durable, light-colored materials will extend your liner’s lifespan. Additionally, thick liners are more resistant to UV rays and chemical damage.

Consult with Premier Pools for Liner Maintenance Today

Your pool’s liner is among its most important beauty and safety elements. Therefore, you should make sure it is always in good shape. The professionals at Premier Pools are happy to help with pool liner maintenance or repairs in Waukesha, so contact us today for a consultation.