Making Vinyl Pool Liners Last Longer

Homeowners often choose vinyl pools because of their built-in advantages: affordable cost, quicker installation and low maintenance. To protect these liners, customers need to care for them properly and their service company needs to stay on top of things over the years.

“Liners can be damaged in many ways, some of which are physical and some are less obvious,” says Branislav “Nick” Nikolic, CEO of System Pools in Bethesda, Maryland. Often, homeowner maintenance mistakes eventually lead to premature liner wear. 

Imbalanced chemicals

Liners can last 10-12 years (maybe more), but only if chemicals are on point, Nikolic says. Vinyl pools need fewer chemicals, but low pH and high chlorine levels can damage them and cause fading. If the pH level gets too low, pool water turns acidic, even corrosive. “We usually recommend using a liquid chlorine or switching to a salt system,” he says.

Other common mistakes include overcorrecting pool chemistry after neglecting it, dumping granular shock into the pool without diluting it first and using a floater with tablets that sink and sit on the liner, says Ron Ancewicz, owner of Advantage Vinyl Pools in San Jose, California.

Water level is also frequently overlooked by homeowners, but it’s crucial. If it’s too low, it exposes the liner to air, which dries it out. 

If it’s too high, it can interfere with skimming and circulation. 

Water levels should be checked routinely, especially after heavy rains or extended heat.

Play, toys and pets

While vinyl pool liners are sturdy, they are not indestructible. 

Using plastic drinkware rather than glass to avoid broken shards is a good rule. Kids can play with noodles and pool toys, as long as there are no sharp edges. But the biggest issue for homeowners is pets. 

“Dogs have claws,” Nikolic says. “If there’s a shallow end, you can see the claw marks from where they got in and where they got out.”

Using the wrong tools

When cleaning a vinyl liner, pool pros advise keeping it simple.

“It’s just common sense to use soft-bristle brushes rather than metal,” says Steve Coughlin, president of Rustic Pools in Orangevale, California. 

Ancewicz recommends a sponge and degreaser, such as Dawn dishwashing soap. 

Owners who want a pool cleaner should proceed with caution. “Some say they’re vinyl-rated, but may not be,” Coughlin says.

Improper seasonal closing and opening

When prepping for winter, homeowners may drain too much water and expose the liner to freezing temperatures. If they don’t close it properly, opening day means a green, murky pool filled with leaves. 

Nikolic says some will put a sump pump on their own, drain all the water and call saying, “My pool is all wrinkled.” They don’t realize that you cannot drain a vinyl pool, a point he strongly stresses. If the pool is only two or three years old, System Pools may be able to reinstall it. If it’s older, it cannot be stretched or reinstalled and has to be replaced — the worst-case scenario.

UV fading

UV exposure is a natural contributor to vinyl-liner fading, with only one solution: a pool cover. Not only does it protect the pool in winter, but it also helps to prevent harmful UV light from fading the vinyl when the pool isn’t used during the peak sunny hours. 

Nikolic suggests homeowners include a new cover when upgrading or replacing their vinyl pool, since it immediately protects their investment. 

Signs of aging 

Homeowners may begin to notice signs of an aging liner, but service techs are trained to check on them during routine visits. Red flags include unexplainable water loss, tears, rips or cracks, stains or visible marks and stretches, shrinking or wrinkles (signs of a leak). 

Leaks and tears need to be addressed immediately, Coughlin says. While the liner may be patched — depending on the age of the liner and the location of the tear and its size — sometimes it’s not feasible to extend the life of the liner. 

Vinyl-liner pools can be a good value for homeowners if they hold up their end of their bargain. But working with a professional pool service company helps fill in the gaps and ensure the work is timely and accurate.