Return Hole Rusted

by Steve Foster
(Trezevant, Tennessee 38258)

I have an above ground Doughboy 24' round pool that is 25 years old. We have gone through three liners and are very pleased. However, last year a leak began to form at the "return" hole through the outer wall. It went unnoticed and is now in danger of end of life for our pool.

My question is this.... were these outer walls in one piece or were they connected in panels? Can I replace the rusted section that has the return from filter. Also, I noticed that when I uncovered the pool this week that there are 4' sections that have dropped from the top to about 16" above the bottom. Where did these sections come from? We had a terrible ice storm and all the water and ice ( 51/2 " !) tore the liner and was wondering if the stress of such weight allowed these sections to drop? I'm pretty sure my liner is shot but would put a new one in if I could fix that one section of wall. HELP ????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Steve

The four foot section you see down the wall is most likely just a retaining rod. I can't think of anything else it could be. These can be recovered when changing the liner.

As for the return opening, duck tap a large cookie sheet over the hole, from the inside of the pool. Use tin snips and trim the sheet so it is flat. Use a 2" or 2 1/2" hole saw and cut a new opening in a good section of wall. It's about as easy as that.

The wall is one piece and very expensive, not worth the effort, or expense, of trying to replace. just patch the opening, cut a new one, and install a new liner.

Rust Under Return Hole

by Skip
(North Carolina)

I have a 24' round pool. Under the return there is rust on the outside wall. Can placing sheet metal on the inside strengthen the rusted area outside wall? Another question I have is can I use stainless steel or is galvanized sheet metal sufficient?

Hi Skip I'm not sure it matters what kind of metal is used but this this is something I do often to reinforce rusted areas on pool sidewalls.

Pool Wall Rust

by Marcia Snover
(howell mi USA )

We found a hole rusted out in our pool wall. We just replaced a liner 2 years ago. Anyway, can we patch wall with metal to last another year?

Thank you.

Hi Marcia As long as the pool wall rust is not too bad a patch will get you a few more years. The patch will need to be placed on the inside of the wall and taped into place.