Pool Walls Buckling

by J
(Ohio)

We are installing a 27' above ground pool. We followed all instructions perfectly. When we started filling the pool, the walls started buckling in. We stopped filling the pool and called the store we purchased it from. They told us that it needs to be a warm, sunny day to stretch the liner. Is this correct? Will the walls straighten out when it becomes warm and sunny?

Hi J. It is very important that liners be installed on a sunny day. That could have been the reason your walls buckled. When the water is out of the pool you should be able to straighten the wall. Do this before you try installing the liner again.

Another cause of wall buckling is if the bottom rail is higher in the center than at the post connectors. I would go around and check all of the bottom rails before refilling.

This is a situation where I could be of a lot more help if I just had a photo to work with.

If it gives you any more trouble use my contact form and I will get right back with you

Pool Walls Buckled

by Todd
(Cleveland, Ohio)

My above ground side walls buckled (really bad by the skimmer) from the amount of ice and snow melting.

Is something like that repairable or is a new wall and liner required?



Hi Todd. Most of the time this can be repaired. You would need to drain the water level down to just below the buckle. The liner needs to be unhooked at the top, meaning a few of the top rails will have to come off.

With someone holding the liner back, enough to allow room to work, you should be able to flatten the wall using a wood block and a hammer. It is also possible to reinforce the wall by taping a flat piece of steel or aluminum to the inside.

If the liner has any holes in it they can usually be patched. The only time the liner would need replaced is if it has shrunk and there is not enough to pull back up and over the wall.

Pool Wall Buckled - Safe?

by Eric Walker
(Florence MA)

I have read a number of posts here about the phenomenon of an above ground pool wall buckling and I think I understand what needs to be done to correct it. My question is whether it represents a dangerous situation that could cause the pool structure to fail?

Our pool has buckled along the bottom and over this winter it extended a number of feet along one side of the pool. I am just concerned to know if we have an immediate safety issue or if we could address this at the end of the season?
Kind thanks!


Hi Eric. Wall buckling itself is not so much a safety issue as the cause of the buckling. Leveling issues of one type or another are the usual causes for wall buckling. Leveling issues could cause problems if not dealt with.

The big thing is to keep a close eye on it. If it changes, progresses or gets worse in any way I would take the time to fix it. If the pool is otherwise stable, it could stay that way, without harm, indefinitely.

There are a few issues you really do not want to see occurring. You should not see any gaps under the bottom rails that could allow the pool cove to leak out. You should not see evidence, on the inside of the pool, of the cove being damaged to any extend. If the crease is bad enough that the wall is torn in any way I would fix it. Sometime the wall pulls out from under the top rails and the metal retaining rods could start coming off. This could be a problem if they come off and puncture the liner. If every rainstorm causing settling in the pool structure that effects this area I would be very concerned.

Keep a close eye on it and use your best judgment.