How to Patch a Vinyl Pool Liner

A vinyl pool liner is a very forgiving material. Several summers can pass where the pool is in heavy use and the vinyl pool liner will still hold strong and do its job. The vinyl pool liner protects the vinyl, plastic or metal pool walls of an above ground pool. The walls of the pool can rust, snap or corrode if not properly protected. Even though a vinyl pool liner is very strong it can, over time, rip or get a hole in it. These minor holes or tears can drain a pool quickly and at the very least, make the hole even larger. You could replace the liner but you can save yourself some money by patching the hole yourself and this article will show you how.

Step 1 - Locate the Holes

Many holes that develop in the vinyl pool liner are small to start with and that means they are not always easy to spot. If the water level is decreasing slowly over time then the hole is small. Larger holes will cause more of a problem. Walk around the pool and look for signs that the outside of the pool is wet. When you find this area you will be able to locate the hole. Put a piece of masking tape over the hole to mark its location then drain the water from the pool.

Step 2 - Trim the Vinyl

Once the water is drained from the pool you need to get inside. Locate the hole by scanning the outside of the pool for the masking tape. Use the scissors to trim the vinyl to an even square or circle. The patch kits you can purchase from local pool stores will include a piece of vinyl in either of these styles. The cleaner the edges the better the patch job will be when you are finished.

Step 3 - Clean the Site

Your pool has many chemicals circulating through it and the vinyl needs to be cleaned in order for the epoxy to seal properly. Mix soap and water until sudsy and dip the scrubbing brush in it and then scrub down the site. Use the rag to wipe down the area and rinse with clean water and allow to dry.

Step 4 - Patch the Vinyl Pool Liner

The best place to put the patch is on the outside of the vinyl pool liner. You may not be able to get access to the outside of the pool liner depending on the type of pool you have. Regardless, the way the patch is attached does not change. Place a line of marine-grade epoxy around the vinyl patch as well as on the vinyl pool liner itself. Wait for the epoxy to become tacky then place the patch over the hole. Apply pressure for several minutes. Wait overnight for the epoxy to cure before filling the pool with water.