Liner Install With Center Drain

by Rich Niko (Always Perfect pools)
(Buffalo,NY United States)

I'm installing a new liner for a customer on an aboveground pool. It also has a main drain, for the life of me I cannot remember when to cut the liner. I haven't done an install with a main drain in about ten yrs.

I know you cover the holes and glue the bottom gasket. And after there's about 2-4 in. of water in the pool and the wrinkles are out you attach the grate and then cut the liner. But my question is, how do you cut the liner with the grate on? There's 1-2 inch holes all over the grate. Any pics or advice would be great.



Hi Rich. To answer your last question, there should be an outer faceplate type of ring the goes on first. It's held in place with about 8 screws. After that is put on, the liner is cut and the grate is then installed. It is held on with just 2 screws.

If the screws have been taken out of the holes, and if there is any chance the holes have dirt or sand in them, I clean them out first. I do this with a small drill bit that puts a tiny hole in the bottom of each one, allowing the dirt and stuff to exit. I then check each hole to make sure the screw will go all the way in.

I had a few times, in my early days, where I had the liner installed and could not get all the screws to tighten. Now that's a pain in the butt.

I also scrape off the old gasket and clean the drain up real nice. I set the screw back into the holes while I finish smoothing the base and work on the drain just before getting out of the pool. I remove the screws and glue the gasket in place.

And like you said, when there is a little water in the pool and the liner is all set, I install the face plate, cut the liner and install the grate.