Most pools are protected by liners. Liners extend the life of swimming pools by protecting walls and floors from damage and mold. These are made from durable components like vinyl or other synthetic materials. Installation is done during construction, using waterproof adhesive.

Above ground pools use overlapping or beaded liners. Lap siding spans inches past the top of the wall, while beaded siding uses siding clips that snap into a track. There are also beaded vinyl liners for inground pools, but an overlay is not applied. Most above ground applications are simple as the shapes are usually oval or round. In ground pools can be more complicated with the different shapes. Inground pool wall installation can be expensive and challenging, so it should be done by licensed pool contractors.

Liners will need to be replaced at some point due to wear. A licensed pool professional specializes in installing a replacement pool liner kit especially for in-ground pools. However, installing a replacement pool liner is easy, whether it’s for an above ground or in ground pool. Here is a step-by-step process that may be helpful for the do-it-yourself homeowner.

First, you’ll need tools and materials, such as trowels, sand, siding sealer, and masking tape. In some cases, kick strips are used instead of a liner block.

To remove the old set of liners, you will need to drain the water from the pool. The top rail is removed by unscrewing the bolts and screws. The siding blocks or trim strips are then removed before the old siding is removed.

The sand is sieved to ensure that there are no stones, smoothed and leveled with a trowel. The sand should prevent the growth of grass or weeds. The pool walls should also be checked to make sure the entire surface is smooth. The walls can be sanded, cleaned and painted if necessary to prevent rust. Duct tape can be used to cover severe rust damage or surfaces that cannot be repaired.

As you cover the area with the replacement pool liner, allow some slack as the replacement pool liner stretches as water fills it. There should always be excess coverage over the top of the wall for an overlay replacement pool liner. Cap strips or keyholes are placed once the replacement pool liner is installed. Just make sure the replacement pool liner is smooth and straight. Once the replacement pool liner is in place, you can begin filling with water.

Make sure the edge or top of the wall is secure and the replacement pool liner will not slip or slip out of place. At this point, smoothing out wrinkles would be easier while the water level is shallow, ideally less than a foot deep. As the water fills the pool, you can begin cutting holes for accessories such as the inlet and outlet for the filter pump. Filter plates can be installed as the water continues to fill the pool.

Most DIY-savvy homeowners can install a replacement pool liner. If in doubt, there are licensed pool professionals who can do the job for you.