Pockets Under Pool Liner

by Sue
(Broomall, PA)

I had an above ground pool installed last year, its about 19x31, pretty sure that includes the deck around it. We didn't do landscaping last year but this year we had a retaining wall built around it, except for the larger deck side.

I actually have 2 questions for you. The other day I was walking in the pool and noticed pockets in all 4 corners of the pool floor. Not right in the corners, but maybe about 4 inches away from the corner. I do feel the liner but what damage can this cause and what can I do about it?

My other question is what do you recommend I do between the retaining wall and the pool wall? There is about a foot and a half between walls.
Thank you very much. This site is great!



Hi Sue. The pockets in the liner need to be watched closely. If they stay small no damage will be done to the liner but if they continue to grow they will need fixed. The pool would have to be drained, the liner pulled back and the holes repaired. When doing this type of repair always leave a little water in the bottom of the pool so the liner does not shrink, wrinkle or shift out of place.

My preference for landscaping around a pool is black plastic and decorative stone. Avoid any type of vegetation because you don't want roots to go into the pool. The plastic is helpful for weed control as the ground around a pool is often wet.

Pockets in Above Ground Pool

(NJ)

My husband and I got a used pool from a neighbor. It cost us nothing except to take it down. We found an installer to put it up for us, not with any ease I might add. Anyway, our backyard was sloped and previously could be wet in one area.

The area our pool is on is at the bottom of the slope in the wet area. After the pool was installed we did not do the landscaping right away. The installers did a nice job of leveling the ground however the ground seemed to have gotten moist and soft under the liner.

When you walk in the pool there are pockets at the bottom, soft. My question is what can potentially happen as a result? How long will the pool last in this condition. I also noticed that vacuuming is difficult because of the pockets.



Hi. Your biggest problem is just going to be the vacuuming. You could try unhooking the hose from the vacuum head and using just the hose in those areas. You would have to be in the pool of course.

Dips and wet spots under an above ground pool liner could also be a sign of a leak. Check the dips very closely for any sign of a tear in the liner. Liners can be easily patched if you find one.

The liner can be pulled back and the holes filled in if they really get to be a problem. This page about Pool Out of Level goes through the process you would use.

If cleaning is the only problem you are having I would wait until a liner change is needed to do any repairs. You might also look into how you can drain the water around your pool instead of under it.

This might help with the cleaning. Battery Powered Pool Vacuum