Expandable Liner Question

by Todd D.
(Edwardsburg, MI)

What is the best way to install an expandable liner for a new 33 foot above ground pool?

I have about 8 years experience installing above grounds, but very little experience with expandable liners. And also what is average depth for deep end? Any tips will help.

THANKS

Hi Todd.

I would start by reviewing this page. There are some good photos of an expandable liner being installed.

A big factor in the outcome of the job will be the type of expandable liner you are working with. Some are big and baggy and are impossible to keep the wrinkles out of. A Doughboy, or similar brand can be installed wrinkle free. They are a true expandable, not just big and baggy.

Deep ends on round pools can be done one of two ways. The center can be dug out with just a two foot ledge around the outer edge. The ledge can be more than two foot but not less than. You need plenty of solid level ground for the pool frame to sit on. The slope should be gradual towards a flat area in the center. The depth can be anywhere from 6" to 2'6". The liner will expand as needed if properly installed.

The second type of deep end is the more difficult of the two to install a wrinkle free liner into. This is where half the pool is deep and the other half shallow. Since the shape is not symmetrical it can very easily cause problems with some types of expandable liners.

It is critical with expandable liners that they be installed on a sunny day. The pool frame should always be used to support the liner while the water is stretching it. If wrinkles do occur you need to be in the pool working them out as the water is filling. There is nothing you can do with a wrinkle once you have 6" or more water over it. The idea is to never have to get in the pool but sometimes it has to be done.

Expandable Pool Liner

by John
(NC)

I bought a used 24' round pool with 52" walls. The pool had a j-hook pool liner. I want to replace the liner with an expandable version so that I can have the pool 72" deep in the center.

Is there any problem with this? Can I just purchase coping strips and use them rather than the j-hooks? Thanks.

Hi John.

In most cases that is all you have to do, just buy the replacement coping strips. A j-hook liner should have metal retaining rods that go over the top of the liner, over the wall. These are important for holding the coping in place. As long as you have these retaining rods the conversion should be easy.

When installing your expandable liner, if at all possible, stretch the liner into place over the existing structure of the pool. This is the best way to eliminate or reduce the amount of wrinkles you get.

Remember also to leave an adequate ledge for the pool frame to sit on before starting the hole. I come in 2 foot from the bottom rails before I start the slope.

This page might be of help also.

Expandable Liner Installation

Expandable Liner Options

by Kay

We are replacing an above ground pool liner with a 72 inch deep end is it better to use a stretch to fit or fitted deep end?

Hi Kay.

I have had far better results with an expandable liner over any other types of fitted or veri-depth. I have also had far better results with Doughboy expandable liners than any other brand. By results I mean wrinkle free liner installations.

If you have the option of stretching the liner in, meaning the top rails are accessible and free of any decking and such, that is the way I would do it.

Following the instructions on this page should help you with a liner installation that is free of wrinkles.

Expandable Liner Installation

Installing an Above Ground Pool with a Deep End

by Andrew Odom
(Boise Id)

I have watched a lot of videos on installing a pool liner and I watched your video as well. How does installing a deep end change the liner installation? Do you tack up the liner with clothes pins just as you would if the pool was shallow? Will the liner stretch, or do you have to fill it with water and let the weight of the water fill the deep end before you pin the sides? Will the seems in the liner still line up with the edges of the pool?
Andrew

Hi Andrew In most cases the seams will line up just fine. It is far more important to get the bottom wrinkle free than it is to worry about the seam around the bottom of the pool. We seldom use pins until the end of the installation unless for some reason the liner is slipping in one area, then we might pin it. Our deep end installations are just about the same as the flat bottom ones.