Steps to Retrofit an Inground Pool

Measuring

• Fitting a liner into a pool requires precise measurements of the pool's dimensions. This entails marking every 2 feet off along one side edge and measuring from those points down the poolside, across the bottom and up to the corresponding points on the other edge. A front to back measurement down the center of the pool is also necessary. With these measurements in hand a pool liner company can determine if it has a product that can fit, or be modified to fit, your pool.

Fixing Flaws

• All flaws and cracks in the pool must be fixed. The vinyl retrofit swells like a balloon filled with water, and will force its way between the sides of a crack, or will conform to a missing piece of a side wall. Even the smallest crack will give the liner a chance to deform. Any sharp edges underneath or to the side of the liner will eventually create a hole, as the water's weight presses the liner against sharp spot. Because pools are made of various materials such as concrete, plaster or fiberglass, there is no one set way to fix the issues. Each pool must be individually addressed and fixed.

Water Flow

• Retrofitting the water pipes for the proper flow and drainage is necessary. In many cases this involves removing the surface area to a depth of about 6 inches around the old pipes, taking the existing nozzles and drains off of the old pipes, and installing new hardware to match the vinyl liner. The hole around the pipes is filled in with patching material and smoothed over.

Tracks

• Installing a track along the entire length of the pool, along which the liner holds fast, is the second to the last step. Often attached at the top edge of the pool, the track can be hidden under a border of wood or other material. The fastener that holds the border and track to the edge depends on the pool material. The liner company will work with you to determine the best way to install the track.

Placing Liner

• The pool liner is stretched out in the middle of the pool and the edge is snapped into the track edge around the pool. The liner looks saggy when it's not filled with water. As the water flows into the pool it begins to stretch into shape and within a few hours you'll have a restored and usable pool. Tim Merino of Ameri-Brand Products, a pool liner company, states that a homeowner is far more likely to do a better job at retrofitting a pool than a paid contractor.