Swimming Pool Chemicals
There are several conditions that will present a need for above ground pool repair, but most often they involve the pool liner. It would be naïve to expect to own a swimming pool and never have to make repairs to it. Normal wear caused by the elements will affect the longevity of your swimming pool, before even giving consideration to the hazards from wear and tear caused by swimmers.
A normal lifespan to expect from a pool liner is between five and ten years, although it is possible to have one last as many as twenty years under the right conditions. Above ground pool repair might consist of repairing a tear when the liner still has several years of service left in it. In northern climates, ice is the perpetrator of many above ground pool liner tears as it melts, slides, and rips the liner material.
How to Address a Torn Pool Liner
The extent of a liner tear, its location, and the age of the liner all have a great deal to do with determining if a patch is a viable option. While a patch in a pool liner won’t be completely invisible, it makes more economical sense as a method of above ground pool repair if it results in extending the life of the liner. A patch kit is relatively inexpensive and will hold up for a long time under most normal conditions.
Replacement of the liner as a method of above ground pool repair might be more sensible if the tear is a large one and/or it is located on the floor of the pool. The cost of replacing the water in the pool can be expensive when it must be completely filled. If there is any doubt as to whether or not a patch will hold, a replacement liner may be the better option so you don’t run the risk of having to fill the pool more than once.
Most above ground pool experts will advise you to replace the liner instead of patching it if the liner is five or more years old. Even though a liner might still appear fine visually after some years, the sunlight degrades the vinyl and the integrity of the material is diminished. Older pool liners are also more susceptible to tears than new ones.
Why Above Ground Pool Liners Fail
Obviously, sharp objects can puncture your liner, but above ground pool repair is more often necessary as a result of aging of the liner material. Natural aging comes with the passage of time, of course; but more importantly, a liner ages faster when it is poorly maintained. Chemicals in the water cause damage to pool liners when the pool chemistry is not properly balanced. This is the reason why pool professionals advise to keep the water pH balanced.
To avoid costly above ground pool repair early in a liner’s life, follow manufacturer and installer instructions carefully regarding pool care and maintenance. This can make the difference in how long and how well the liner performs in your above ground pool.
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