So, you’re walking around the perimeter of your swimming pool, and you realize the beaded pool liner has come off the track. It’s unsightly and shocking to see. But no matter how irksome it may be to deal with it, it’s important to put the liner back on the track as soon as possible before water seeps into the back. But how do you do it?
In this article, we’ll go over how to put a beaded pool liner back in the track, how to stop a pool liner from coming off the track, and more. Let’s dive in!
Main Takeaways
- To put a beaded pool liner back in the track, clean the track, warm up the liner, pull and push the liner, and secure the liner further if needed.
- A liner may come off the track because of temperature fluctuations, improper installation, incorrect pool water levels, chemical imbalance, the age of the liner, and issues with the coping.
- Stop a liner from coming out of the track with proper installation, maintaining proper water levels and chemistry, using a liner lock, and replacing old liners.
- Other common pool liner issues include wrinkles, fading, tears, and floating.
Step-by-Step Process: How to Put a Beaded Pool Liner Back in the Track
If your beaded pool liner has come off the track, don’t panic! While it is important that you fix the issue as soon as you notice it, by following my simple step-by-step process, your liner will be back in the track in no time.
Step One: Clean the Track
First, carefully inspect the track around your pool to ensure it’s clean and free of debris. You may find everything from ants to dirt and mud in the track. If the track is filled with debris, it could prevent the liner from fitting properly, so use a towel or rag to wipe away any dirt or grime. While you’re checking and cleaning the track, you should also check for any damage or missing pieces.
Step Two: Lower the Water Level
To work on the liner, you’ll need to lower the water level a bit to prevent the cooler pool water from negating your hard efforts to warm the liner that you’ll do in step three.
Step Three: Warm Up the Liner
Once you’ve checked the track, it’s time to warm up the liner. Use gentle heat to allow the liner to stretch so that you can pull it back up into the track. You can use a few different methods to warm up the track. You could use your hands to rub the liner quickly for some friction heat. Or, if you are attempting to do this in the middle of the day, you could simply use the power of the sun. Alternatively, you can use hot water, but do NOT use boiling water.
Step Four: Pull and Push the Liner
Now for the fun part! Starting at one end of the liner off the track, pull the liner up and then push the liner back into the track. Make sure the bead is fully seated in the track. As needed, keep repeating steps two and three until all of the liner is back in the track. Continue to use the hot water to work your way around the pool, pushing the bead into the track. Since the liner will only stay warm for a few seconds at a time, work quickly! But be careful not to burn your hands.
Step Five: Secure the Liner If Needed
Once the liner is fully in place, check to see if the liner is secure. Use a flathead screwdriver to press the liner into the track, securing the liner. If the liner seems loose for some reason, install a liner lock. This is a strip that fits into the track above the liner bead, locking it in place.
Now that the liner is secure, go around the perimeter of the pool to ensure everything is nice and tight. Make any final adjustments and repeat steps as needed.
Step Six: Fill the Pool
Now that the liner is back in the track refill the pool with water so that the water level is halfway up the skimmer opening. Keep an eye on the liner as the pool fills, smoothing out any wrinkles that might appear during the process.
Why Does a Pool Liner Come Out of the Track?
So, why might a pool liner come out of the track in the first place? Knowing what can cause it is the first step to preventing this issue from arising in the future.
Temperature Fluctuations
As you know by now, the temperature can cause the pool liner to expand and contract. If there are constant changes in the temperature, the liner may eventually slip out of the track, especially if it is not installed correctly to allow for these fluctuations in temperature.
Improper Installation
Pool professionals should take care to install the vinyl liner properly when first installing the liner. If not correctly fitted, the liner is more likely to come out of the track. For example, if the bead was not fully secured in the track. New liners may look like they are in the track when first installed, but after opening the pool and battling against temperature fluctuations over time, these weak spots in the liner may be revealed.
Incorrect Pool Water Levels
You should always maintain the right water levels in your pool – not only for your filtration system but also for your liner. If the water level is too low, the weight and pressure that keeps the liner in place may cause the liner to pull away from the track, especially if there are already weak and loose areas.
Chemical Imbalance
As with anything regarding pool maintenance, proper pool chemistry is key when it comes to keeping your beaded liner in its track. By maintaining chemistry at the ideal levels, you can avoid accidentally weakening the liner material over time. For example, too high chlorine levels may cause the liner to become brittle and less flexible, which may cause it to slip out of the track.
Age of the Liner
As pool liners age, they naturally become less flexible and more prone to wear and tear. For this reason, an older liner is more likely to slip out of the track. An older pool liner is also more difficult to get back in the track. So, if the old liner has slipped off but you are unable to put the liner back in the track despite using all the hot water and your arm strength, it might be time to replace the liner completely.
Issues with the Coping
It may also be an issue with the coping rather than the liner, causing the liner to come out of the track. Whenever you change the liner, make sure to inspect the coping to ensure it will last as long as the new liner. After all, even if the liner is new, but the coping is too worn out, it will not be able to retain the liner properly.
If your coping needs to be replaced, check out my article on how to install pool coping.
How to Stop a Pool Liner From Coming Out of the Track
No matter how theoretically simple it is to pull and push the beaded pool liner back in the track, it requires a lot of muscle and strength to do it. So, instead of waiting for the liner to come off, why not do your best to prevent it from happening in the first place?
Here are my top tips for stopping a pool liner from coming out of the track.
Proper Installation Is Key
First things first, you’re only going to run into issue after issue if you do not have a secure foundation. Make sure the liner is installed properly. Hire a professional to do it. But if you insist on doing it yourself, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the T. Additionally, when you install the liner, make sure the bead is fully seated in the track.
Keep the Water Topped Up
It’s only natural that your pool water levels will decrease over time, thanks to evaporation and simply splashing in the pool. Whenever you notice water levels are down, make sure to top it up again to ensure the water is exerting enough pressure to keep the liner in place.
Balance Your Pool
You should always maintain good water chemistry. In terms of your liner, maintaining the proper chemical balance will help its longevity and flexibility.
Use a Liner Lock
While not always necessary, a liner lock can be a great tool for securing the beaded pool liner. A liner lock is a strip that fits into the track above the liner bead.
Replace Old Liners
Liners do not last forever. Pool liners generally last between 6 to 10 years. If your liner is nearing the end of its lifespan, consider replacing it before it starts to deteriorate significantly. An old liner is more prone to slipping out of the track.
Other Common Pool Liner Issues
Besides the pool liner coming out of the track, what are some other common pool liner issues?
- Wrinkles: Vinyl liner wrinkles can be caused by improper installation and changes in water temperature, amongst other issues.
- Fading: Probably the most common vinyl liner issue is that pool chemicals and sunlight cause the liner to fade and discolor over time.
- Tears: Sharp objects, including toenails, in the pool, can tear or puncture the liner, causing damage and water leakage.
- Floating: If you have a lot of groundwater around your pool, this may eventually cause your liner to “float” or “bubble,” causing wrinkles down the line.
Get Your Liner Back on Track
So, you’ve managed to put the beaded pool liner back in the track. Give yourself a pat on the back! Who knew something so small could require so much muscle? But with proper care and prevention, you can avoid having to do this again.
More questions about swimming pool liner care? Send me a message!