Vinyl Swimming Pools

Vinyl Swimming Pool Costs

Installing a vinyl-lined in-ground swimming pool is a cost-efficient alternative to more expensive in-ground pool options such as fiberglass and concrete. The cost for excavation of the pool site will be equivalent to the excavation costs for concrete and fiberglass in-ground pools, but once that is done, vinyl is a significantly cheaper material.

However, vinyl is a less durable material than fiberglass and concrete, and therefore is less durable and requires more maintenance work: As the vinyl wears out over time, you will need to replace the vinyl liner. This will need to be done every 10 years or so, and will require a commitment of both time and money.

* Please note that the above prices are estimated averages. Actual prices may vary.

Vinyl Swimming Pool construction

Installation of vinyl in-ground pools requires professional expertise as it is an involved process which you want to get right on the first attempt. The first step is to excavate the hole. Once this is done, the base must be added to the base of the excavation and a frame must be erected around the perimeter. The vinyl liner is then affixed to this structure to create the walls of the pool. Reaching this point of the installation process should take about 2-3 weeks, which is less than half the time needed to install a concrete pool.

Vinyl Swimming Pool Maintenance

You should refer to your owner's manual to determine which sanitizers to use in your vinyl pool. Since vinyl is not a very durable material you should not add any undiluted granular chemicals, (such as pH decreaser and Calcium Hypochlorite) directly to your pool as they will sink to the bottom and damage the vinyl.

The primary form of damage suffered by vinyl pools is leaks. You can surmise that you have a leak if you find that you need to add more than an inch of water to your pool per week, once you factor in water lost due to normal backsplash and backwash waste. Leaks must be tended to promptly as they will weaken the supporting fill behind the vinyl, and can wash away the sand beneath the pool, resulting in a large sinkhole which will be difficult to repair.

Another problem you could trigger is causing the vinyl liner of your pool to wrinkle. This occurs when the water level descends below the level of the walls, either due to a leak, or because someone drained the pool. The liner wrinkles when the water, which retains the liner tightly against the supporting walls, is removed. To correct wrinkles in the liner, it is necessary to reset the liner using a vacuum which sucks the liner into place while the pool is being refilled. Besides the risk of wrinkles, an empty pool liner will allow rain water to seep into the soil that surrounds the pool, and will erode the structure of your pool. At an extreme, this sort of erosion could case the walls of the pool to collapse, which creates a serious safety hazard. If you find wrinkles occurring in your pool, you will need to contact a qualified professional for assistance.

Replacing the Vinyl Liner

As mentioned above, vinyl liners require replacement about every decade or so. Replacement begins with using the measurements of the pool to purchase a new liner. Once the new liner arrives, the pool is completely drained and the old liner is cut into sections and removed. At this point, the frame of the pool is exposed, so it is a good opportunity to do any necessary maintenance work to the frame. This includes taping joints where necessary, removing rust and sanding any irregularities. It may be necessary to add foam to the walls if they are particularly bumpy or corroded as this will minimize contact with the new liner and ensure that the new liner has a longer life span. At this point the suction and return ports should also be inspected, after removing the face plates which surround them. Any damaged pieces should be replaced.

Maintenance work also involves inspecting the floor of the pool. Any contaminated sand, pebbles and sand balls should be removed and replaced with fresh sand and the floor should be smoothed and leveled. This work should be done carefully to ensure that the design specs of the new liner are met.

At this stage the pool is ready for its new liner which is draped across the pool and locked into its tracks. While the pool is being refilled, vacuums are used to suck out any wrinkles and ensure that the vinyl adheres smoothly to the walls of the pool. Floor work is the final step

Cost of Operating a Vinyl Swimming Pool

The cost of operating a vinyl pool will vary depending on whether or not it is heated. On average, it will cost about $500 - $1000 for heating, depending on whether gas or electricity is used for heating. In addition, chemicals are needed to purify the water, and these will cost between $500 - $700.

Disadvantages of Vinyl Swimming Pools >>