- When I received my pool liner, the drawing on the outside of the liner carton doesn’t look anything like the pool shape I signed off on. Is the liner made wrong?
The drawing on most of the liner cartons are generic and may not always apply to the liner in the carton. This doesn’t mean it is made wrong as it’s only a general depiction of the liner in the carton. All of the Propools on ground pool liners are custom made for each pool sold and we require all liner drawings have a final approval by our customer prior to the manufacturing of said liner. In the event the liner is made correctly there is ‘this drawing’ which can be referred back to,
- What does the liner warranty cover?
As with all liner manufactures in the industry coverage only covers manufactures defects in liner seams. Read Warranty Card above for all warranty details.
- Can the liner just lie on the ground inside the pool?
No. There is debris in the dirt which can puncture a hole in the liner due to the weight of the water and peoples feet pressing downward and twisting on the liner. For this reason a 2” bed of material should go under the entire liner. This material can be sand (for flat bottom pools) or something like a sand/cement mix or Pool Krete. Never use concrete as it has stones in the mix which can puncture the liner. See a swimming pool being installed with a Pool Krete Bottom.
- How are the liners made for on ground pools?
All of the on ground pool liners we sell are custom made to fit each pool and match the dig specifications that are agreed upon. Dig specifications are the dimensions which are used to dig out the bottom for the pool. These dimensions are directly related to the liner dimensions which will sit inside of the pool. There is usually no additional costs associated with changing any of the dig specifications for the pool prior to liner manufacturing.
- Can I use an above ground pool liner in an On Ground Pool?
No. On Ground pools use a liner with a specific type of bead on the liner which only works with the vinyl liner track which comes with the pool.
- How do I know what depths to dig the pool so the liner will fit?
Each of the individual on ground pool size pages have tabs on them. When the tab labeled ‘Resources’ is clicked it will bring up a listing of PDF’s. Click on the ‘Panel Layout and Dig Specifications’ pdf, then scroll to find the size pool and set of dig specifications that you’d like.
- If I dig the pool first, can I then get a liner to fit how I’ve dug the pool?
Yes, though it is highly recommended that a pool bottom material other than just sand be put down while the liner is being manufactured. We recommend something like a Pool Krete or sand/cement mix bottom be installed under the liner. If it rains on an open pool bottom with no protective base material the rain and water run-off may cause the dirt to wash away, creating a channeling in the pool bottom as well be very muddy. If something like this should happen it usually can be remedied though it’s not always the easiest thing to do.
Once the walls are up it is good practice to put in the pool base material so that should a rain come the water will run across the bottom of the pool and collect in one general area. After the bottom base material is put in and it rains, the rain water can then be pumped out with some type of a sump pump. Generally a rain won’t impact how a Pool Krete or sand/cement bottom stands up over time. After a rain it is highly recommended to pump the water out as quickly as possible afterwards.
Once the pool base material has been put in the bottom of the pool the custom vinyl liner measurement form can then be filled out and sent to us so the liner can be manufactured. Liner manufacturing can take between 1 & 3 weeks to be delivered which is why we strive to have the bottom configuration already agreed to at the time the pool is purchased. This allows the liner to be manufactured and sent to arrive prior to the time in which the liner could be installed.
- Are there any risks in digging the pool for the liner first, then ordering it?
Yes and it is highly discouraged. Besides the inherent risk of having an open hole in the backyard which could cause personal injury should someone fall into it, rain may cause erosion to the soil which many times leads to the pool having to be dug again.
- Can I use anything other than sand under the liner?
Yes. We recommend either of the two methods below:
- A 2” Thick sand/cement mix is a great bottom to put in an above ground pool. It is semi-permanent concrete that will keep its form and consistency for years to come. This type of material allows for a perfectly smooth surface and when completed a pool pad can be put between the sand cement surface and the pool liner to create that ‘new carpet’ feeling of padding under the feet when walking. On ground pools do not require a pool pad nor pool cove. A pool cove is not required because the pool liners are custom made to fit the pool at 90 degree angle where the wall meets the floor.
For cost purposes it is possible to make your own sand/cement mix on the job. We use a ratio of 6 shovels of masonry sand to 1 shovel of Gray Portland cement in a rented paddle mixer. Using a paddle mixer will allow 2 – 3 loads of sand/cement mix to be made at one time.
- Pool Krete Premix is a quality blend of expanded vermiculite, Portland cement, and admixtures designed to be mixed with water and troweled to form a long-lasting hard bottom for on ground pools. The proper use of Pool Krete will enhance the quality of the pool installation and prolong the life of the vinyl liner.
Pool Krete is a porous but rigid liner base, which offers numerous benefits to both the pool installer and the pool owner. With no waste and minimal clean up, this professional approach to hard bottom installations result in greater customer satisfaction.
Never use a true concrete or any material with rocks in the base.
- A 2” Thick sand/cement mix is a great bottom to put in an above ground pool. It is semi-permanent concrete that will keep its form and consistency for years to come. This type of material allows for a perfectly smooth surface and when completed a pool pad can be put between the sand cement surface and the pool liner to create that ‘new carpet’ feeling of padding under the feet when walking. On ground pools do not require a pool pad nor pool cove. A pool cove is not required because the pool liners are custom made to fit the pool at 90 degree angle where the wall meets the floor.
- What do I use under the pool liner?
Below are the most common types of 2” material to put under a pool liner by bottom type (Flat Bottom vs. Contoured Bottom)
Flat Pool Bottom, Across the Entire Pool:- Sand – Sifted Sand (Playground Sand)
- A 2” Thick sand/cement mix is a great bottom to put in an above ground pool. It is semi-permanent concrete that will keep its form and consistency for years to come. This type of material allows for a perfectly smooth surface and when completed a pool pad can be put between the sand cement surface and the pool liner to create that ‘new carpet’ feeling of padding under the feet when walking. On ground pools do not require a pool pad nor pool cove. A pool cove is not required because the pool liners are custom made to fit the pool at 90 degree angle where the wall meets the floor.
For cost purposes it is possible to make your own sand/cement mix on the job. We use a ratio of 6 shovels of masonry sand to 1 shovel of Gray Portland cement in a rented paddle mixer. Using a paddle mixer will allow 2 – 3 loads of sand/cement mix to be made at one time.
- Pool Krete Premix is a quality blend of expanded vermiculite, Portland cement, and admixtures designed to be mixed with water and troweled to form a long-lasting hard bottom for on ground pools. The proper use of Pool Krete will enhance the quality of the pool installation and prolong the life of the vinyl liner.
Pool Krete is a porous but rigid liner base, which offers numerous benefits to both the pool installer and the pool owner. With no waste and minimal clean up, this professional approach to hard bottom installations result in greater customer satisfaction.
- Never use a true concrete or any material with rocks in the base.
- How much pool bottom material goes under the pool liner?
A minimum of 2” pool bottom base should utilized under the pool liner.
- If I want to make a sand and cement bottom to go under my liner, how do I do it?
A 2” Thick sand/cement mix is a great bottom to put in an above ground pool. It is semi-permanent concrete that will keep its form and consistency for years to come. This type of material allows for a perfectly smooth surface and when completed a pool pad can be put between the sand cement surface and the pool liner to create that ‘new carpet’ feeling of padding under the feet when walking. On ground pools do not require a pool pad nor pool cove. A pool cove is not required because the pool liners are custom made to fit the pool at 90 degree angle where the wall meets the floor.
For cost purposes it is possible to make your own sand/cement mix on the job. We use a ratio of 6 shovels of masonry sand to 1 shovel of Gray Portland cement in a rented paddle mixer. Using a paddle mixer will allow 2 – 3 loads of sand/cement mix to be made at one time.
- Does wall foam really help protect my liner?
Yes it does. There are times the pool wall is kicked or bumped by a swimmer causing the liner to press against the steel wall. Wall foam between the wall and liner softens blows such as these, reducing liner fatigue.
Wall foam also creates space between the liner and the wall allowing the liner to now lay up against what could be an abrasive metal object.