Liner Shrinkage

by Jamie
(Smithfeild NC)

I drained my above ground pool completely and then had to leave for 3 days. The outside temperature was 88 degrees. I came back and now my liner has pulled away from the bottom and off the ground about 10 to 12 inches.

The liner is 3 years old. Can I still fill and let it stretch into place or what do I need to do? Help me please, wife and kids are ready to kick me out.

Hi Jamie

It's not looking good, do you have a place to stay or will you be homeless?

Three years is when liners really start to loose their elasticity. Filling the pool will have to be done during the hottest part of the day. If all goes well shut the hose off when you loose sunshine and start it up again the next day. This liner really needs to stretch and the sun is your only ally.

If it is a beaded liner there is not much else you can do, you start filling and hope for the best. If it is an overlap liner you may have extra liner to play with. When I install an overlap liner I tuck all the excess back into the pool. It comes in handy at times like this. If the liner was pulled over the wall and cut off, it's probably new liner time. The liner will pull out from under the coping and rods and there is nothing else you can do.

There is a chance you will be OK, but just a small one.