Loose Liner At Top

by Paul
(Anniston AL)

My pool is basically full and apparently I did not pull all the slack out when putting on the coping strips. The side that is in direct sun is loose at the top. Is there any way to remove the rails with pool full and stretch just the top few inches of the liner?

Hi Paul.

This happens sometimes and it is pretty easy to fix it. The pool will not collapse if you remove a few top rails. Most of the time, this is what you need to do.

I have, on occasion, been able to tighten a liner with out removing rails. Try reaching up under the rails and pulling on the liner. You can usually get a little bit of tightening done this way, sometimes it is just enough.

If you need to take the rails off there is a good chance the wall will push out just a touch. When the liner is redone and the top rails are going back on you may have a problem connecting the last rail. Most of the time, I have been able to use a different set of holes, to make the connection. Most rails have multiple holes for the different size pools. If that is the case using different holes would be the easy way of reattaching the rails.

If you must, or choose, to use the same holes just have some strong buddies on hand. I don't remember a time when three or four people pushing on the uprights could not narrow the gap enough to set the screws in the original holes.

So yes, it can be a job, but again yes, it is well worth the effort to get the slack out of the liner. The liner will look better and last longer, so go for it.