Vinyl Liner Pools
Vinyl inground pools are one of the most popular swimming pool types. But their popularity doesn’t always go hand in hand with familiarity. There’s a lot to learn about vinyl before deciding on whether or not it’s the right option for you. And you’ll soon discover every important point about it. So when the time comes to decide on a pool you’ll know exactly whether vinyl is the right choice for you.
Parts Of A Vinyl Pool
Wall Panels
Wall panels are less mysterious than you might expect. In fact, the term is nearly self-explanatory. The panels create the actual walls within a pool. Wall panels extend over something close to the totality of the pool. The only exception is the area where paneling gives way to pool steps. The paneling is typically around 42″ and is made of steel, plastic, or aluminum.
The Pool Floor
Coping
You might not recognize coping as a term, but you’ve almost certainly seen it before. Coping is the border that lines the periphery of a pool. You can essentially think of it as the pool’s rim which caps the pool walls. It’s the area that marks the change from pool edge to patio. There are a number of options with pool coping and each can greatly change the appearance of your pool no matter the type of pool it is.
Steps And Ladders
Types Of Vinyl Liners
You’ll generally see this represented as mils. But mils isn’t an abbreviation for millimeters.
It’s generally best to go with thicker liners because they offer increased resistance to tears and punctures.
Vinyl Liner Pool Cost
But as a general rule, you can assume that a vinyl pool will cost somewhere around $25,000 to $40,000 in initial costs.
- Size
- Shape
- Material
- Installation Costs
A vinyl pool typically costs about $10,000 less than concrete or fiberglass pools.
Pros
- Cost-Effective
- Design Flexibility
- Smooth Surface
- Easy On Feet
- Nonporous Surface
- Less Chemical Usage
- Quick Installation
- Easy To Repair
Pros And Cons of pool liners
Cons
- Durability
- Vulnerability To Damage
- Limited Lifespan
- Aesthetic Limitations
- Replacement Costs
- Sensitivity To Water Chemistry
- Installation Techniques
- Environmental Impact
Pros Of Vinyl Liner Pools
Cost-Effective
Design Flexibility
Smooth Surface
Easy On Feet
Nonporous Surface
Less Chemical Usage
Quick Installation
Easy To Repair
And Their Cons
Durability
Vulnerability To Damage
Limited Lifespan
Aesthetic Limitations
Replacement Costs
Sensitivity To Water Chemistry
Installation Techniques
Environmental Impact
Remember
Build Process
A vinyl pool installation usually takes about four to eight weeks.
This can seem like a long time when you’re eager to get your first swim in your new pool. But it’s actually a surprisingly fast process when compared with the three to six months it takes for a concrete pool.
The build process for a vinyl pool begins with:
- Excavation. This is when the ground is dug up and the pool’s foundation is prepared.
- Next, a steel framework is installed in the newly excavated area.
- Individual panels are bolted onto this framework.
- Once the structure has been finished the lighting and plumbing can be installed.
The final stage takes all of these elements and finalizes them through a variety of different methods. For example, the walls will typically be reinforced with metal supports and concrete used to bind sections together.
Keep in mind that a vinyl pool can be customized. Everything from the pool’s depth to its shape and size can be changed to fit your preferences to get your dream pool. However, many of these customization options will increase the total cost. And some might also increase the cost or feasibility of certain maintenance or expansion options.
Ongoing Care And Maintenance
Regular Cleaning
There’s a lot to love about pool ownership. But no matter what type of pool you have, you’re going to need to clean it. The exact details will change depending on your environment. For example, some areas will have lots of leaves and plant matter falling into your pool. In those cases, you’d want to skim the pool’s surface regularly to remove that light debris. A pool filter will take care of some of these issues, but you’re still going to need to handle some cleaning on your own.
There are tools that can make this easier. Pool covers, in particular, will keep debris out of your pool. But vinyl comes with some additional challenges. For example, you shouldn’t use a standard pool vacuum with a vinyl pool. They can be too rough on the pool’s liner. You’d instead want to use a specially designed vacuum intended for a vinyl pool.
Water Chemistry Management
The pH needs to be kept at a perfect level, somewhere between 7.2 and 7.6.
Doing so requires monitoring and adjustment as needed. If the pH level gets too high then you might see algae, calcium deposits, or general visual issues with your water. But if the pH gets too low then the water’s acidity can irritate your skin when you’re taking a dip.
You’ll also need to take care of the pool’s chlorine levels. This is an important part of pool maintenance in general. But it’s especially important with vinyl since high chlorine levels can damage your liner.
You’ll generally need to keep free chlorine levels in a range of 1.0 to 2.0 to balance liner protection and sanitation.
Protecting The Liner
All of the previously described maintenance tasks touch on an important part of vinyl pool ownership – protecting the liner. Vinyl tends to be extremely susceptible to damage if you’re not careful with it. For example, keeping debris out of the pool isn’t just about aesthetics or sanitation. All of that random debris can also tear a vinyl liner. Even small stones or pebbles can pose a significant danger. This makes proper use of a pool cover even more important.
You also need to watch out for less careful swimmers. Dogs and small children in particular can pose a threat to pool lining. Dogs have their nails, and small children are notoriously prone to waving toys around. As such it’s important to put some extra care into supervising pets and children in a vinyl pool.
Even draining a vinyl pool can cause issues with the lining. If you drain the pool and leave it exposed to the sun then it can dry out, become brittle, and develop wrinkles. Because of that issue, it’s generally best to “shock” your pool instead of draining it.
The Next Step On Your Adventure In Vinyl Designs
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