Got a Wrinkle in Your Above Ground Pool Liner?
If so, it’s OK. There are things you can do to remove it. Wrinkles can be annoying, so it stands to reason that you would want to smooth out your liner when they happen.
The longer you leave wrinkles, they harder it will be to smooth them out. Here are some tips to remove wrinkles from your pool liner.
Fill the Pool
Wrinkles sometimes form after the pool has gone unused for a long period of time. If you have low pool water levels or you haven’t used the pool in a while, fill it with fresh water, slowly working out the wrinkles as you go.
Walk on Them
Donning soft soled shoes, walk across the wrinkles so that they gently stretch out. This works on most minor wrinkles.
Use a Plunger
Place a toilet plunger on each side of the wrinkle and plunge. This action pulls the liner a bit so the wrinkle can become free.
Warm up the Pool
Liners usually form in cold water. The cold temps harden the liner which makes it wrinkle. Heat the water to 92°F to soften the liner, then use a pool brush, a plunger or your feet to work out the wrinkles.
Drain the Water
Sometimes you have no choice but to empty the pool. Then, use a Shop Vac to suck out the wrinkles. Be sure to keep the liner wet at all times, and only use the vacuum between the frame and the liner rather than right on the liner to avoid damage.
Look For Leaks
Small water leaks often cause wrinkles. Try to locate the leak and patch it. Hopefully you can try this without having to drain the pool.
Blow Out the Liner
If nothing works, drain the pool and blow out the liner itself. You will need to use your Shop Vac in reverse, placing the hose between the liner and the frame. Air will be pushed between the liner and frame, eliminating the wrinkles. Reverse the suction once more and remove the excess air.
Call a Professional
If you seem to always have wrinkles and you’re constantly draining the pool regularly to fix them, this can compromise the pool’s structure. Plus, you will pay a lot in water bills. It’s best just to call a pro in the first place so they can get it done right.
Replace the Liner
Sometimes the only recourse is to replace the liner. Make sure it’s installed properly to avoid wrinkles.
Dealing with wrinkles in your liner simply comes with being a pool owner. We hope these tips help you remove your liner wrinkles, but if not, call us today to get rid of them once and for all.