| Finding a leak in the vinyl liner of your swimming pool | | | | maintaining and using your pool you can consider any |
| can be a difficult task. Most of surface area of the | | | | location that is inclined to leak such as skimmer |
| surface area of the liner is underwater making it very | | | | gaskets, return gaskets, light gaskets and especially |
| difficult for close visual inspection. If you have traced | | | | stair gaskets. Inspect the screws on these face |
| the leak through diagnosis to be located in the liner, | | | | plates to ensure that the leak is not in these |
| then the most efficient way to find the leak now is | | | | locations as opposed to being a hole in the liner itself. |
| to check the most common vinyl liner leak locations. | | | | Excessive rust or loose screws are a sure sign that |
| Before you spend any time looking for the leak you | | | | there is a leak present in this area. |
| should consider what could have possibly caused this | | | | If the leak is in a random spot somewhere in the liner |
| leak as this could help you to focus in on one | | | | you would perform a visual inspection beginning at |
| particular aspect of the liner. Check the ladder in your | | | | the top of the walls and progress around the edge |
| pool to ensure that there is rubber bumpers | | | | of your pool perimeter. A small hole in the liner will |
| protecting the bottom stainless steel tubes from | | | | often represent itself as a ¼" long smile or |
| cutting the liner. This is one of the most common | | | | crescent in the liner. Often these holes in vinyl liners |
| leak sources since the bumpers tend to warp and | | | | can be felt with your fingertips easier than by sight - |
| deteriorate with age increasing the likelihood of them | | | | especially when on the walls. |
| falling off. | | | | Most vinyl liner swimming pools have galvanized steel |
| Next be sure to check anything that goes into your | | | | walls which will rust when in constant contact with |
| swimming pool for signs of damage or any physical | | | | chlorinated water such as with a leak in your liner. |
| hazards that could pose a threat to your liner. This | | | | Rust will form on the walls around any location where |
| would include skimmer nets, poles, vacuum heads, | | | | there is even a tiny leak present given enough time. |
| automatic vacuum cleaners and pool toys. You can | | | | You can inspect the walls of your pool by sight and |
| also check your hose to make sure that it does not | | | | by feel for areas that are rough - an indication that |
| have any hose clamps or sharp burrs which could | | | | there is a leak close by and rust is beginning to form. |
| damage the liner when you are topping off the | | | | You can also perform a dye test which will help you |
| water in your pool. | | | | to identify possible leak points in your pool. |
| Once you have ruled out the items that are used in | | | | |