One way is to find and mark the center of your pool frame with an alligator clip or clothespin on each end. It has become very popular to sink above-ground pools in the ground partially. We cover more on this topic in the next step. They might think their kids are going to trip over the pools top rails if the deck is too low or they dont want to see any of the pool wall from the deck. C When a few cross slices are made, push the fitting through the wall and in place. E If some resin top rails were broken at the screw point, screw down next to where there were attached with self-tappers. Its usually best to keep it in place by peeling back half of it, working the earth underneath to smooth, then replacing and peeling back the other half to do the same. Re-check the pool floor to make sure everything is level. Its plentiful & strong ( thinking decorative ideas) wood is really cheap here ? Variables like old age, rust, deep centers/ends, semi-inground, attached decks, and poor initial installation can affect the usage of some of these tips. B3 If heads are stripped, use an adjustable wrench to grab and unscrew Fittings are useless if the head of the screw is stripped out. Its important to realize some mechanical equipment might need airflow so motors and pumps dont overheat. And liner change time is an excellent time to change these rusty parts. Some liners will last ten years or more. Again, installing your liner on a warmer day will allow you to stretch the liner more easily. Then divide that measurement in half. PANDEMIC SUPPLY NOTE: At the moment, Royal Swimming Pools has a surplus of above ground liners in stock and ready to ship ASAP (YAY! Take off the faceplate. Demolition & removal of my parent's above-ground swimming pool, as well as some repairs to the deck left behind. Then once the peel-n-stick cove is in place, smooth the sand back out evenly around the pool and up the foam cove so the entire floor is level. This is a valid concern for anyone who has never worked with a main drain. Keep in mind that smaller wrinkles are often smoothed out by water pressure and a little guidance. Remove the liner from the bead track. Repeat until all coping strips are covering the liner and the stabilizer bars are covering the coping strips all the way around the pool. Once level, continue to fill and adjust the liner as needed until you have about 6 of water in the pool so the liner is underweight and stretched to the proper position. If you've been considering adding that fresh new walk-in step or new color-changing lights, now's a good time to get those items on order as well. Ideally, the pool deck should be built directly under the lip of the pool edge. I imagine well have to make some saw dust. This may make the job slightly harder. The most efficient way to do this is by placing a drainage stone around the pool. In this post we will show you pictures of replacing your old aboveground with a pre-existing deck. B If screws wont come off Some screws will be severely rusted and wont come out. Donot take apart the stabilizer rails at this time. It keeps the ground level for those getting in and out of the pool and can help minimize trips and falls over any pieces that jut out. There's a simple way to upgrade your above-ground pool: build a pool deck. Installing an Above Ground Pool on Extremely Uneven Ground. Drape the New Liner: With 1 or 2 helpers, pull the liner carefully over the pool and over the wall (overlap and uni-bead liners), or lock it into the track (beaded liners). A basic round 12-foot pool, for . now's a good time to get those items on order as well. This is the worse place for rust. Remove wrinkles at the cove by adjusting the amount of material over the wall. New building codes addressing decks around pools should also be considered. A Rebuild the earth coving Access your coving. Thats cool and all, but its not worth it. If j-hook type, remove stabilizer bars (top rails) one piece at a time, attach j-hook to top of the wall, replace stabilizer over J-hook. Most are off at least four inches and more. Note: You dont want to end up with excess liner or not be able to pull all of the j-hook over the liner because too tight. Is the pool round or oval-shaped? C Using the faceplate screws, screw in the faceplate and gasket(if 2 piece) to the wall on the inside to the gasket and skimmer box on the outside. Measure outside of the pool from the bottom pool track to the top pool track for your pool's true wall height. Wet the bottom down and repeat as much as you need to. Boards run under deck rail. The skimmer should be secure enough on the wall so you can finish adding the rest of the screws yourself. So by the time February rolls around, their bank accounts are getting short. I was so hooked on having the deck built on top of the rails, but all your reasons why not to do it has changed my mind. The older the pool, the harder it may be to come apart to change the liner. Another way is to use the uprights as guides however, this requires the uprights to already be vertically level for accuracy. Shrinkage - After the water empties out of your above ground pool, the . Choose a pool with a flat-top design. Well, this isnt exactly a blog post on how to build a deck next to an above ground swimming pool. The nut on the outside of the pool comes off. Subscribe. Copyright 2023 Trex Company, Inc. All rights reserved. You can use some of the earth from the pools bottom to re-build the coving. How To Replace An Inground Pool Liner In this video, we'll guide you through replacing your old inground pool liner. Confirm that the liner is the proper size and pattern. If you can do that, youre golden when it is time to change your liner. Thanks, Mikey G. My deck is 15 years old. This earth cove functions as a resting bed for the liner and is integral to the pool's structure. Most of these tips wont apply to ALL above-ground pools. My parents have an above ground pool with a deck built over the rails. As an example, If your pool is round and you get a measurement of 24, 2, then its a 24 round pool. A Place each rail on the outside of the pool close to where it came off (if you can) Its easier to keep each top rail where they were positioned around the pool. There are many different designs to this, so remembering how they came off is all that I can tell you. 'hide' : 'show' }} submenu for "Ideas", {{ productsDropdownToggle ? At common pool heights, embedding posts in the foundations will not be sufficient for lateral restraint. For example, if you purchase a beaded liner you'll also need to purchase the proper amount of bead track needed to go around your pool to be able to install the new liner. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. This will be a challenge with the deck. G Attach skimmer and return to the pump and filter as before. For most above ground pools the top railing has to come off completely during a liner change. glad I read your comments. Once your pool is about 1/3 of the way filled and you have adjusted the liner to remove any wrinkles. From Dan: Typically you build the deck level just under the top rails but you have to see how the top connectors come off first so you can get to them during a liner replacement. When done, insert a 2-inch shop vac hose through the skimmer area and seal it . 28K views 3 years ago. This will lessen the likelihood of having excess or not enough bead in a particular area. Some want the deck to be as close to the top of the pool as possible. Yes most are easy to step over. Alternatively, you can create an artificial, temporary slope to make the water flow away from the pool. PRO TIP: Using a handheld screwdriver for this can be easier than just trying to push the screw through the liner by hand. Secure the top two corners of the skimmer to the pool wall using a handheld or cordless drill. It is best to set a series of segmented beams and footings about 2' from the edge of the pool to support around the curved sides. Do people not step on the rails? You shouldnt need any silicone. Dont worry. The top rails themselves all attach pretty much in the same manner. Wooden decks can really make a pool nice. There are a few ways to line the floor seams up with the pool. There is nothing worse in the world of changing liners than arriving to do a changeout and discovering that the deck is in the way and needs to be cut. WHITEHOUSE FARM. Free Shipping on Qualifying Orders over $99 - Get Details. You'll want to smooth it out by filling in any holes and spreading the sand out evenly. You may not want to though, if those screws are too low in reference to the very top of the pool. While allowing the screws holding the top rails to soak in the WD-40, you can start working on the bottom. Overlap and uni-beaded liners are easy to remove as they only hang over the pool's walls. This was very helpful. IMPORTANT: Do not include the pool's top rail in the wall height measurement. Remove the stabilizer bars one at a time, remove the top of the old liner, then replace the bar(top track). Its time to remove that. Soft-sided pools dont have separate liners from the wall, so they are completely different. They vary in size with the average 12-18 feet in diameter and 48-54 inches deep. Remove the return fitting using large channel locks. The water will make the ground lose, making your pool's foundation unstable. When you are 100% satisfied with the liner placement, you are ready for water. The biggest repair that will have to be made is with changing the liner. Sometimes you can get lucky and all the deck screws will unscrew and you can easily take the boards out of the way. Some are beautiful with multiple levels, fancy railings, built-in seating, and walls of latticework for privacy. A Its best to be in the pool when attaching the skimmer, B The liner will be in place (because the pool will have water in it). A small deck system/kit that's easy to put up as a . The second reason is that it doesnt look as stylish later. Pull the liner all the way around to the wall. Contact your supplier immediately. Next, you'll need to have a sharp razor blade or box cutter. This will give you the height of the pool. Set that seam evenly along the coving area(where the floor meets the wall). This is done from the outside of the pool because the inside will have sand and/or filler along the bottom of the wall that would give you an incorrect measurement. However, keep an open mind when planning, and dont feel tied to a specific design or material if its not within your budget. Above-ground pools come in standardized sizes, as do their liners. Ask him how the deck must be installed, its height, required gapping, etc., so he can change the liner out with a minimum of effort in the future. Overlap liners. D Add sand if needed If your earth bottom is hard and bumpy and you cant easily scrape it smoother, then buying some bags of regular sand and spreading it over the dips and ruts is the answer. Circular Above Ground Pool Deck. Some will find and patch a leak in the liner, and then get another leak right after that. This is the centerline of your oval liner. Place the flat-head screwdriver under or next to the rusty screw and beat it with a hammer. Installing tile over a standard deck frame in an exterior environment is a recipe for trouble. Can You Install An Above Ground Swimming Pool Yourself? B Continue to insert more of the bead (on top of the liner) in the channel in different spots around the pool. This will give you the size of the pool. This way, you can set aside an ample budget for your project and head off any future problems at the pass. When you do move your above ground pool, it is best to replace the pool liner. That can be a lot of bucks per splash. Do not use sharp objects to open the liner box. Removing deck boards, crawling under decks to get to screws, and/or having to cut the deck will make the job much, much harder. Learn how to space and stagger deck boards at Decks.com. Keep in mind that smaller wrinkles are often smoothed out by water pressure and a little guidance. Conversely, if the bead is very tight, pull the bead horizontally while feeding into the channel. Painting over rusty areas to reduce corrosion. If overlap type, pull enough of the liner over the wall to make it slightly smaller than the pool (This will allow the liner to stretch perfectly to the wall as it fills with water. Some of todays above ground swimming pools look nice. With that, there can be issues when changing the liner. Also I live in northeast, decks around here shouldnt be built under rail due to uncertain frost heave possibilities. You can use the razor knife to slice it into small pieces and remove them individually. Great information. If the wrinkles are difficult to reach, pushing the wrinkles with a pool brush can help smooth the liner out. Its made in USA I seen one of your posts about no liner from China. Liners are easier to work with when they are warm. Depending on your pools brand, you may have alternating stabilizer rail sizes. This type of liner is typically the most affordable depending on the brand and pattern you choose. Also, any resin parts may be harder to get apart and are more prone to cracking or breaking. Don't tighten any of the screws untilallthe screws are in place. Setting the liner for a pool with a deep end/center requires some extra experience so there arent a bunch of nasty wrinkles in the bottom. You can click each of the following liner types to see each one detailed installation instructions. When I consider a liner change job, I always have the pool owner send me pics of the pool to see if there is a deck attached. Better to store it than lose out on those warm Summer days waiting in a virtual line for inventory to be replenished. They are gravity fed pumps only. NOTE: I usually recommend people change their overlap and beaded liners to unibead/J-hook type. The more brittle it becomes, the more leaks it will start getting. The disadvantage is an oval pool deck can be more difficult to build than a standard rectangle due to its curves. It sucks to have to crawl under a deck to get to these screws, but with some models you may not have a choice. Some will spend thousands of dollars building a beautiful deck. The Big Question is have you ever done anything with Bambo man? Your email address will not be published. Confused yet? You can be a true master woodworker and get that edge perfect, but over time it wont stay that way. Carefully cut the liner out from the inside of the skimmer's faceplate. Knowitall advice: Buy a quality liner. For the novice, its hard to install a liner in an oval pool. Installing an above-ground swimming pool semi-inground has become very popular. Step 3 - Seal Holes in the Pool. Still looks like it might not work. Covering all holes made by bolts and screws using duct tape. B It may be best if one person is pressing the fitting through the opening from the inside of the pool and another make the asterisks-like slices to the liner on the outside of the pool. You will have more floor area to get smooth and get wrinkles out of, and more top pieces to take apart the re-assemble. The liner could pull in if it is hung too tightly. Im not sure how to share a photo on here. I recommend removing the top of the pool in the early morning. Besides the new liner, the following are tools can help make removing the pool's old liner and installing the new one easier or more efficient: It is worth noting that the materials may vary depending on your pool's overall design. Uni-beaded liners are easy to install because they just hook onto your pool's wall without any additional parts required. To future proof your deck build, take into account that most above-ground pools have a top railing that either screws or snaps into place on the pools frame. They vary from the simple one-piece snap cap that easily snaps in place to the more complex three-piece cap that has five screws. The first is the reason for this blog post. Measure that to make sure. TIP: Use your foot to gauge how tight the liner is to the wall. Continue filling the pool, stopping to adjust the liner if any wrinkles develop. Its easier to set a round-shaped liner in place over an oval-shaped one. It creates a nice height for the deck in reference to the water level. Anyone with basic DIY skills who can read and follow instructions should be able to complete this project. However, how your pool was actually installed can alter your measurements. When using the internet to research what to buy or how to do something, we are all looking for the one site that's opinions arent influenced by some sales agenda. In this video, we walk you through the steps to replace an above ground pool liner. Measure that distance (2.6, in our example) in towards the center of the pool in several places, and make sure the centerline of the liner is aligned with the center of your pool frame. Abovegroundpoolknowitall.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Any height over 54" is considered an expandable liner. While you won't have to worry about an exact wall height with this liner type, if you want to include a deep end in your above ground pool, it's only possible when an "expandable" overlap liner- all, Keep in mind, if your liner simply has a small hole in from a toy or Fido going for a swim, you don't necessarily need an entirely new liner right away. Open your liner box carefully so the liner is not damaged. Once you have about 6 inches of water in the pool, you can release any tension on the wall vinyl by removing and reinstalling the Coping Strips one at a time. The likelihood of rusted-out screws that wont come apart and need cutting is much greater. If you have a beaded liner or a liner connected to a bead track, you'll still need to remove the pool's top rail to access the bead track. 24 Round Above Ground Pool Liner Change. Pool owners change their liners for different reasons, but the absolute most common reason is that the pool is losing water and they cant find the leak. NOTE: Replacing the stabilizer bars will keep the wall rigid and help prevent it from falling over (if windy) and when hanging the new liner up to the wall. It was on trouble free pool site. the cove evenly around the pool. E Replace the two gaskets (usually one rubber, one paper) and then the ring. As mentioned, there are three types of liners used for Above Ground Pools. The third reason you may not want to run the deck boards over the pools top railing is it may make the deck sit too high in reference to the pools water level. Lol, A Line up the screw holes exactly where they were when you took it apart (this is why you placed each top rail at the outside of the pool in front of where it was to ensure the top rails go in the same place that they came off. Using a tape measure, measure from the inside of the wall to the inside of the wall across the pool in at least two cross spots. When the water is no more than 1" deep, check if the pool is level. Consider your construction skill level, the amount of time you have to complete the project, and your budget. Dont mess around with questionable gaskets. All of them were slightly different. until the water reaches 3 below the specific opening. I searched for pool deck fascia board site will give you more, better up close photos. What about yards that are Can You Put a Soft-Sided Above Ground Pool Partially in the Ground. Get instant & exclusive access to design tools, tutorials and much more! WARNING! This will help keep the faceplate in place. We recommend sloping your deck to shed water away from the house. NOTE: If you are replacing with an overlap-type liner, check the condition of the coping strips. Others are very basic, but are just fine for getting in and out of the pool or basking in the sun. link to Installing an Above Ground Pool on Extremely Uneven Ground, link to Can You Put a Soft-Sided Above Ground Pool Partially in the Ground, Nationwide Above Ground Pool Installer List, if its time to change your liner, read this article, sink above-ground pools in the ground partially, Square-headed shovel (preferably with a sharp edge), Cordless drill (with 5/16 hex head fitting and #3 phillips head fitting), Large flathead screwdriver or prying tool. I know some of you have the idea that the deck will keep the pool equipment out of the sun and that way itll last longer. However, eventually, your pool's old liner will need to be replaced. A Lift the wall/side part of the liner up and temporarily clip to the pool wall using the spring clamps. http://bit.ly/InyoPoolsLIKE us on FACEBOOK! Insert two screws into the upper two corners of the skimmer faceplate. How To Properly Replace An Inground Pool Liner. In some cases, if there is bad rust, its not worth changing the liner as the pool may fail soon after and you would be out the cost of the liner change. Some people build floating decks (using deck blocks for their posts) for various reasons dont want to dig, theres only 6 before you hit rock. Over the last 36 years and counting, I have performed a couple of thousand liner changes. Manage Settings For most above-ground pools, these decks will be anywhere between 3 to 6 feet above the ground and must be laterally braced from the beams/joists to the bottom of the posts. The following information is from me changing thousands of liners professionally for 36 years and counting. Tamp with a concrete come-a-long tool, tamper, or your foot all the way around and re-smooth using the back of a small metal rake. Instead, situate your equipment to the side of your deck to ensure easy access and make . When you follow the replacement process linked above, the only cost for your above ground pool liner will be for your new above ground vinyl pool liner replacement and any additional installation accessories you may need! There comes a time when you will likely be researching a new liner for your pool. Problems are uncommon but possible depending on how tight your liner is. Install the liner on a warm, windless day. The drainage is a potential hazard if you let the water flood your above-ground pool's foundation. As of 2022, the average price range to have your liner changed is between $1000 and $3000 for everything. Check for rust everywhere on the wall of the pool. The detached studio Installing your decking at a 45-degree angle is a popular style for decks. Unlike sand and earth, foam coves do not give over time. In this video, we walk you through the steps to replace an above ground pool liner. However, now, about 20 yrs later, the pool wall rotted out and we need to remove the pool and place a new one in. Coping strips are used only with overlap liners. Theyll do a great job of getting the deck to align perfectly with the pools top rails only to have me have to pull out a circular saw and cut it when it is time to change the liner. About an inch should do. From round pool decks to rectangular pool decks, you have a number of options to choose from. Uni-Beaded Liners Were going to utilize a board pattern that will horizontally follow the pools top rails for about 3 boards out so well only have to remove these 3 rows when its time to change the liner. Beaded liners are easy to install but are not compatible with deep-ended above-ground pools. Im building my deck about 6 inches away from the pool, then using a composite fascia board on hinges to bridge the gap. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Generally, it costs around $200 to $800 to replace an above ground pool liner. Then remove the liner's edges from the bead track, do not remove the bead track from the pool. You will have to take your own measurements as these distances vary from liner brands, types, and pool sizes. Fill in any footprints and depressions with sifted earth and tamp level. No matter which route you choose, there are plenty of tutorials and resources online, such as our Decks.com DIY deck building guide. When I change liners on pools that were installed poorly, I have to use my expertise to get the pool back together as it can be hard to re-install the top rails when they are so off. Beware of wasps nests at this stage. They also add style and can cover aging pool walls. This will take some patience. Why Fiberglass Pools Can't Be Above Ground. You didnt mention how much space to leave between the deck and the pool. Hang the liner over the wall making sure that the seam is straight up and down, perpendicular to the floor. Do the same for the inside of the vacuum cleaner port and any returns you have in your pool. Pools that were installed well come apart better, so its good to know if the pool was installed professionally or by some drunk uncle who is a great painter but not great at other DIY jobs. Required fields are marked *. So, with this post Im going to give some guidelines on how to build a deck next to an above ground pool so that you will still be able to change the liner when the time comes. Tell them if they jump in the pool like that, then they wont be able to use the pool. The pump will drain more water than a mechanical siphoning hose, but not all of it. Learn more about above ground pool liners at poolcareschool.com. Some who know this but do it anyway do so with the plan of taking the deck boards off, because they used screws instead of nails for the deck. Do you need to remove the rails with a beaded liner? 11.4K subscribers. The bigger the pool, the harder the job of changing the liner. The culprit turned out to be that the liner was too short. You will need the pools dimension size and wall height when ordering a liner. OVERLAP LINERS:For overlap liners with a lot of wrinkles, make sure the overlapped part of the liner is distributed evenly around the pool. A knowledgeable, trustworthy builder can help guide you in the right direction and help you strike the right balance that you, your family, and guests will enjoy for years to come.