When it comes to pool liner wrinkles, it's crucial to distinguish between those caused by installation issues and those arising from other factors. If a wrinkle appears due to a poor fit or incorrect measurements during installation, it will be evident as soon as the pool is filled. Wrinkles from installation problems do not develop later; they are present from day one. Any wrinkle that appears later is due to other causes, such as the liner shifting.
Once your pool is full, the water's weight holds the liner in place. This is why we advise against draining your pool to clean it or lowering the water level too much during winterizing. If wrinkles develop after installation, it often indicates water under the liner, which could result from a high water table or a leak.
To determine if your pool is losing water, follow our step-by-step instruction. If water loss is detected, it suggests a leak causing water to accumulate under the liner, making it float. If there is no water loss, the water under the liner is likely from the ground water table surrounding your pool.
For pools built by Bud’s, you can monitor and empty your sump well to minimize issues. This is especially important during heavy rainfall or spring thaw periods.
A floating liner can be problematic, but it can often be fixed by pumping the water from behind the liner back into the pool. If this water came from a one-time event, the liner might settle back down, though it may result in wrinkles. Address these wrinkles promptly to prevent them from creasing or becoming permanent.
Chemical Reactions and Vinyl Liner Wrinkles
Wrinkles not caused by installation errors or water under the liner are usually due to chemical reactions with the vinyl. Unbalanced pool chemistry can degrade the liner surface, causing it to absorb water from the pool or groundwater, leading to wrinkles. This damage is irreversible.
To prevent this, we recommend balancing your pool water at opening and every 3-4 weeks afterward. The most crucial test is the one done a week before closing, as this will be the water's condition throughout the closed season. Visit us more often if you struggle with water clarity!
Recommended Water Parameters
- Free Chlorine: 1-3 ppm
(Salt systems generate chlorine. Dial up or down in accordance to weather conditions and swimmer volume) - Alkalinity Adjustment: 80-120 ppm
- pH Adjustment: 7.4-7.6
- Calcium Hardness Adjustment: 200-300 ppm
- Stabilizer: 30-60 ppm
Our vinyl liner manufacturer has extensively researched wrinkle causes and prevention. Wrinkles develop when the vinyl absorbs water and changes dimensions, often due to high chlorine or bromine levels. Low pH and stabilizer levels also contribute to wrinkle formation. Each chemical factor affects another; for instance, alkalinity impacts pH levels. Unbalanced alkalinity causes pH to fluctuate. High calcium levels can lead to scale formation, while low levels cause corrosion.
High sanitizer levels combined with low pH are particularly damaging, potentially causing permanent liner damage and aggressively attacking heater internals.
Need Help? Did your liner wrinkle after a big rainstorm? Send us your pictures, and we'll work with you to find a solution!
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