The vinyl liner in your above ground pool has served you well for many years but has been patched up too many times and has developed too many wrinkles. It’s now time to replace the liner and give your pool a makeover. Read our article to learn how to install a liner in an above ground pool.
Installing a new vinyl liner is a fairly straight forward exercise for the average home handyman. The liner itself is inexpensive and you can save money installing it yourself. Ask a friend to help and wait for a warm, summer day when the liner will be more flexible and easier to work into position.
Table of Contents
How to Install a Liner in an Above Ground Pool
What is the average life of a pool liner?
A professionally fitted and installed vinyl liner for an inground pool should last, on average, 10 years when properly maintained and the water chemistry is correctly balanced.
Liners in above ground pools typically last 5 to 10 years depending on usage and maintenance. If you empty your pool every year and store the liner in a container over winter it will last longer.
What is the average cost to replace an inground pool liner?
The average cost will range from $2,000 to $4000 dependent on size. The replacement of an inground vinyl pool liner requires the pool to be drained of water which can take all day depending on the size of the pool. A new liner will require two or more men to install it, remove any wrinkles and securely fasten the top. The pool is filled which will take another day.
How much does it cost to replace an above ground pool liner?
The average cost to install a liner in an above ground pool will range from $400 to $1,000 dependent on shape and size. If you have it professionally installed expect to pay the same again for labor.
How long does it take to replace pool liner?
Once you have emptied the pool which may take a while, to install a liner in an above ground pool should only take a few hours. Most of the work involves removing faceplates, brackets and other fittings. Removing the old liner is quick. Don’t rush yourself installing the new liner as you want to make sure it’s a good fit before you replace the brackets and fittings. Lastly, refill the pool water and balance your water chemistry.
What holds a pool liner in place?
There are long plastic clips that are positioned over the liner over the edge of the metal wall.
Fit the rails over the top of the wall to secure the liner into place.
If there is too much excess liner hanging over the outside of the pool it can be trimmed away.
What is the best thickness for an above ground pool liner?
If you have a small above ground pool you can get away with the cheaper, lower gauge liners. However, we recommend a thicker, heavier gauge vinyl liner with double welded seams for an in-ground pool or an above ground pool with high usage. The gauge would be 20 or 25 for the best durability.
How do I replace my pool liner myself?
If your liner is old, leaking and the wrinkles are permanent it’s time to install a liner in an above ground pool. The good news is most pool owners of an above ground pool can replace the vinyl liner themselves.
Replacing a liner is easier when the weather is fine and warm. This ensures the liner is more pliable and easy to work with.
Most liners come with instructions and the way you fit the liner depends on the type of pool you have as each pool manufacturer provides a different way to connect the liner to the top of the wall. When you purchase a replacement liner please ensure it comes with instructions or follow the original pool supplier’s instructions.
Drain the Pool
Drain the water from the pool. You will need a submersible pump to remove all the water into a drain or creek. Some more advanced filtration systems have a valve for backwashing into a drain so you can drain the pool water into the drain with your pump. You need to connect a hose from the skimmer box to the bottom of the pool. Usually you can use the pool vacuum hose for this purpose. So it’s like vacuuming the pool into the drain until the pool is empty.
Some pool owners use a hose to siphon the water from the pool into a drain but this will take overnight at least and is only recommended for a small above ground pool. It will be difficult to get the last few inches of water out of the pool.
You must be able direct the water to a stormwater drain, the local street drain or a local creek. I recommend not to empty your pool when it’s raining. The stormwater system is already flooded with water and you run the risk of overburdening the drains.
You cannot direct this water into your sealed sewerage drains as this is illegal and places a huge burden on the sewerage system in your area. Your local city council may have further restrictions and conditions as to when and how you can dispose of swimming pool water.
Read our article on How to Drain Water from a Swimming Pool
Remove the Old Liner
Disconnect the power supply, filtration system, skimmer box and pump.
Remover the coping, rails, brackets, clips and other attachments from the top of the sides of the pool. Make sure you know how to reassemble these fittings before you remove them.
Remove the old liner and fold it up.
Some people find another use for their old vinyl pool liner:
- make it into a slippery slide for the kids
- use it as a pool cover
- use as a motor vehicle or boat cover
- keep as a storm damage cover for your roof
- use to line a garden pond
Reconstruct the Base
Prepare the ground with sand as directed by the vinyl liner manufacturer.
With an existing pool there will be a sand base over hardened ground, concrete, compacted road base or some other surface. All we need to do is add some more bedding sand and compact the base ready for the pool.
Usually, there is 3 inches (8cm) of compacted bedding sand under the floor of the pool to hold the distributed weight of water. The important thing is to make sure the whole base is level and firm.
Install a liner in an above ground pool
Work in bare feet inside the pool. Take the new liner into the pool and unroll it.
Move the liner into position so it aligns with the skimmer box position.
Smooth out the floor from the center to the walls to remove any wrinkles.
Raise one side the liner over the pool wall and use the clips to hold it in place. Some pools use a beading system where you slide the liner into a track on top of the wall to hold it in place.
Usually it’s best to connect one side first, then the opposite side, then another side and opposite again until you have been around the whole pool filling in each gap and opposite gap. This method ensures you evenly stretch out and connect the liner removing all wrinkles in the process.
Some people find a plumber’s plunger is useful for moving the liner and removing any wrinkles. Otherwise, a wet and dry vacuum cleaner on low suction works well. Remove the vacuum cleaner from the pool before you begin to fill with water as you don’t want to get any electric shocks.
Begin Filling the Pool
Add the garden hose to the pool and begin filling it. As the pool is filling work out any wrinkles in the bottom section of the liner from the center to the walls. If wrinkles develop at the base of the walls work them up the walls to the top.
Continue filling the pool up to just below the skimmer box level.
The manufacturer’s instructions show how to cut the liner and fit the skimmer box in place. Take your time with this part as you don’t want to cut the whole too large as the skimmer box will leak.
Attach the skimmer to the wall fitting and reconnect the filter and pump.
Completely fill the pool to the mid-level of the skimmer box and test out the pump.
Balance the Pool Chemistry
Test your pool water and adjust the pH etc. to balance the pool water.
Add chlorine or other sanitizer that you normally use.
Don’t swim in the pool until the chemistry is right and the water has sufficient chlorine to kill bacteria and protect your family.
Read our article on How to Balance Swimming Pool Water
Final Thoughts
A backyard above ground pool can provide your family with a lot of enjoyment for the small cost of the pool. However, to keep the pool looking good it will need maintenance and eventually renovation in the form of a new vinyl liner. Install a liner in an above ground pool yourself at the beginning of the summer. It’s a worthwhile project that you can complete without calling in the pool professionals.
