Expandable Overlap Onground Pool Liner Preparation and Installation Guide
Posted: Friday, June 12, 2009
by Daniel Osko
Bubbas Pools
To assist you with your inground or above ground liner preparation and Installation, Bubbas Pools has compiled the following Tip Guide for your use:
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Required Tools and Supplies: 1) Duct tape 2) Shop vac 3) Soft bristled broom 4) Tape measure 5) Extension cord 6) Awl or punch 7) Screwdrivers 8) Razor knife 9) Sump pump 10) Wooden clothes pins 11) Garden hose 12) Possibly five gallon pail 13) Possibly landscaping rake 14) Possibly pre-washed masonry sand 15) Possibly flat shovel 16) Possible mortar mix |
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Preparation:
1) Using a sump pump, filtration system or siphon hose, drain all water from the pool.
(You may use a shop vac to remove any left over puddles)
2) Remove all ladders from pool liner area.
(And any other equipment that may obstruct liner area)
3) Remove all faceplates and gaskets from inside pool area.
(i.e. thru-the-wall(s), return(s), lights, etc..)
4) Inspect all face plates, gaskets and hardware for cracks/rips and/or wear.
(replace as needed)
5) Remove pool ledges, pool ledge covers, top rail, top rail joiner plates and plastic coping.
(basically the top half of pool structure)
6) Remove old liner in manageable folded pieces.
(you can use a razor knife and cut into smaller pieces for easier removal)
7) Re-Tape any wall bolt seams with duct tape.
(First, remove old duct tape)
8) Inspect pool base and cove for wash outs and evenness.
Repair A/G pools with pre-washed masonry sand as needed. (For non-formed pool base with hopper)
9) Pool Base Repair:
· Build pool base cove to 6" high x 6" wide on a 45 degree slope and pack
· Rough Rake any uneven areas in the pool base
· Back drag areas of pool base with a push broom to even the sand
· Roll pool base areas with a water roller in three directions to pack sand
· Sweep areas with a push broom to cover any imperfections
· Get out of Pool!
10) Entire pool base MUST be free of pebbles, rocks, sharp edges and all debris!
Installation:
1) Temporarily unroll your new liner in a sunny, debris free area.
(This will assist liner to stretch later on)
2) Seal the skimmer area with cardboard.
(Attach with duct tape on the outside of pool wall)
3) Seal the any pool lighting holes with duct tape.
(Duct tape from outside of pool wall)
4) Insert 2' of shop vac hose thru the card boarded skimmer area.
(In a downward orientation, towards the pool base)
(Duct tape well, until sealed)
5) Inspect all duct taped areas.
(These must be good seals)
6) Re-inspect pool base.
(Insure there is no debris, rocks, pebbles or rough areas!)
7) For overlap liners, attach two wooden clothespins to each upright.
8) Fold new liner in halves until it is about 2-3 feet wide and is full in length.
(Like an accordian)
9) Place liner in pool area, retaining both ends and center.
(Get some help! don't let the entire liner fall inside pool area!)
10) Carefully unfold liner in pool area, while retaining at least one edge.
(Do not get inside pool, you can do this from outside of pool area)
11) Attach liner to pool wall using the clothespins. (Pull liner about 6" over the wall and attach)
12) Evenly pull liner further over the wall about 12" to 18", adjusting clothes pins as needed.
(Use a broom to knock out all of the liner slack on the bottom of pool while doing this)
13) Gently brush and tap liner towards the walls. (This will visually assist you in the final liner setting)
14) Inspect and Adjust liner as needed.
- Insure that the bottom seam is even all around the perimeter
- Insure that there is equal air gap between the liner and the pool wall cove area
Have your helpers stand around the pool perimeter to hold the wall.
(We don't want the wall to fall! This next step will happen fast!)
16) Hook up shop vac to vac hose and turn on.
(This will simulate water and suck all air out of liner area)
17) Release liner EVENLY as it tightens by releasing and re-attaching clothes pins. (While doing step #18)
18) Gently brush and tap liner around entire perimeter towards the walls.
(This will remove all wrinkles)
19) Continue releasing and brooming the liner until the bottom wall seam is even all around the pool. (If not, go to back to step #12)
- There should be a 6" air gap between the liner and the pool cove where it meets the wall
- If ok temporarily install the coping and top rail.
- This will help hold the liner and wall in place
21) If all is well, start filling the hopper with water.
(DO NOT SHUT OFF VACUUM or you'll get wrinkles!!!)
22) Continue to fill hopper
- You may need to evenly release the liner by removing the top rails and coping as liner tightens
23) Continue to fill pool until at least 1" of water covers the entire bottom of pool.
(You may need to use the broom to tap against the liner to remove wrinkles during this process)
23) Shut off shop vac! (Finally!)
24) Reassemble plastic coping, top rails, top rail joiner plates, top ledges and ledge covers.
(While removing clothes pins)
Final Steps - Installation:
25) Continue filling pool until two feet of water covers the entire bottom of pool.
26) Remove all duct taped seals. (Return and feed lines, steps, etc…)
27) Install all skimmers, returns, lights, etc.,
(Find at least two holes per item and punch out with awl).
(This will help with alignment)
Now populate all screw holes, tighten evenly.
28) Carefully cut out all liner material from gasketed areas.
(Returns, skimmers, lights, etc…)
29) Hook up filtration system and any accessories.
30) Fill to appropriate operational level.
31) Add your start up chemicals.
32) Enjoy!!!
My Background in this Industry:
I was raised in a family who has had a long history in the Swimming Pool Industry. For example, my grandfather was Chief Engineer for Muskin Pools for years, (back when they started business in Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania), and he eventually became the Chief Operations Manager. Subsequently, Muskin employed my grandmother, mother, uncles, and father for many years to follow. In fact, my father was one of the first on ground pool installers who traveled throughout the U.S.A. installing pools for Muskin Pool customers. I even remember when I was twelve years old, my cousin and I would help our fathers install pools locally in Northeast Pennsylvania!
At the age of sixteen I decided to install pools during my schools summer vacation. I ran my own installation crew for Olympic Pools. I enjoyed it and people were quite surprised as to the quality of work a bunch of kids did! Since that time I have installed pools for Prestige Pools, Northeast Pools, Quality Pools, Poseidon Pools, and naturally for myself.
Over the years I have learned how to Install and repair swimming pools the correct way, the best way, and the most cost effective way. None of which degrades from the other. However, over the years I have also witnessed shrewd salesmen giving false information to customers in order to profit. Additionally, I have seen incompetent installers perform shoddy work and take advantage of their customers for the same purpose. Therefore, I am writing this article so that people can perform these tasks for their selves, or at least have the proper information to know if their pool related project is being done correctly.
Enjoy your summer, and stay cool!
Email: Questions@BubbasPools.com
This article is provided to you by Daniel Osko of Bubbas Pools and More! See our website, bubbaspools.com for additional information, forums, how to guides, pictures, products and more.
Thanks to everyone!
Danny Osko
- Bubbas Pools
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