Your pool is usually a place for fun and relaxation. But if you see water gathering behind your pool’s liner, it can be a really frustrating and concerning situation. Firstly, a leaky pool liner is not an easy fix. Second, the source of the water may be coming from places other than your pool. So, when you notice water behind your pool’s liner, what should you do?
If you see pool water behind your liner, you should probably get help from a pool professional to avoid exacerbating the issue. In order to prevent this issue in the first place, make sure that water levels are stable, that the pump is functioning properly, and that there aren’t any obvious leaks.
Let’s take a look at what you need to know about pool liners, what causes water to collect behind them, and how you can prevent these issues from occurring. We’ll also consider what to expect if water has been behind your liner for quite some time.
What Should You Do If Water Gets Behind Your Pool Liner?
When you see signs of a leaking pool liner, it can set off some alarm bells — and the last thing you want is to cause even more damage by letting the issue fester or by applying an improper fix.
So, when you see water behind your pool’s liner, what should you do?
As we mentioned above, if you have water behind your pool’s liner, the best option is to call a professional. There are several reasons why water may be behind your liner, and professional help gives you the best chance of fixing the issue fast.
However, if you don’t have quick access to a pool professional or just prefer to do it yourself, there a few options to try. Here are some tips to follow:
- Don’t drain your pool. This can cause structural problems to the pool itself.
- Make sure your pool’s water level is at the normal operating level.
- Check your vacuum pump. If it’s clogged, it could be the reason why your pool’s liner is having issues.
- Using a pool broom, find spots where the liner is floating and gently push them back into place. This should allow for the water behind the liner to drain.
Additionally, the best way to prevent pool liner issues from happening is to stop them before they occur.
Over- or under-filling your pool can lead to liner issues. Since pool liners are fastened to the top of the pool and use the weight of the water to keep everything tight, any changes to the water level can disrupt this process.
Groundwater can also cause some issues. Whether it’s natural water buildup from rain or another source, the water can cause the pressure to equalize in your pool’s liner. This leads to the classic floating liner issue.
Groundwater isn’t only an issue for liner pools. Fiberglass pools can also have issues with groundwater.
What Happens If Water Gets Behind the Pool Liner?
When water gets behind your pool’s liner, it can cause some issues. While the visual effects of a wrinkly liner are obvious, there are some other problems you should be aware of.
Water behind your liner can lead to more serious issues that can cause damage to your pool and your pool’s equipment. If you see any signs of liner issues, you should try to remedy them as soon as you can.
Below you’ll find some common problems that stem from liner issues.
Rust, Stains, and Corrosion
The most obvious byproduct of water seepage is rust, stains, and corrosion.
Your pool has walls that the liner protects. If there are leaks or other issues, your pool’s water will come in contact with the walls. When this happens, it can lead to rust and corrosion issues.
This is especially problematic for areas of the pool with metal, such as fasteners and railings. Water here can easily go unnoticed, leading to other issues like mold or mildew growth. The longer the water is left unattended, the bigger the problems may be.
Soil Erosion
The soil underneath and around your pool is susceptible to erosion when leaking occurs. When water gets behind your pool’s liner and starts to leak, it has to go somewhere. In this case, it’s the ground around the pool. Although this might not seem like a big issue, it certainly can be — especially if left unfixed.
The water buildup can lead to erosion, and erosion can lead to all kinds of issues like cracking, warping, and settling of the exterior of the pool. These can obviously cause some problems!
This can also be a problem for your home’s foundation. If your house is close to your pool, water seepage can easily cause problems.
Problems With Water Chemistry
Leaking pool liners can seem like a nuisance more than a real problem. Many homeowners take this approach when they notice leaks or floating liners.
The result is that they use simple fixes like adding more water from a hose or another nearby source. While this can temporarily solve the problem, it won’t fix the root of the issue.
Moreover, it can lead to other issues. For example, if you’re filling your pool with regular water, it can lead to the dilution of chemicals. This makes keeping things balanced quite difficult.
Unbalanced water chemistry can leave your pool vulnerable to bacteria and other nasty containments.
Damage to Pool Equipment
The last thing you want to worry about is damage to your pool’s equipment. But with water leaking out of your pool, it’s hard to keep the levels right.
If water levels are too low, or too high, they can cause equipment to malfunction. This is especially the case for low water.
When water levels are too low low, pool equipment that normally relies on water (such as filters and pumps like this Intex model, on Amazon) will start to pull in air instead. This can cause damage to the inner workings of the equipment, which can leave you facing costly repairs or full replacements.
How Can You Fix a Floating Pool Liner?
Fixing a pool liner can get complicated. While you can do some troubleshooting yourself, it might be a better bet to call in a professional. After all, you definitely don’t want to do more harm than good.
What you can do is try simple preventative maintenance. This includes things like making sure that water levels are correct and that the equipment is running as it should.
When you notice problems such as leaks, you can do try simple solutions like patching, but if the situation is very serious, a professional is the way to go.
Why Does Water Get Behind the Pool LIner?
When water gets behind your pool’s liner, it can seem like a mystery. In most cases, it’s a simple leak in the liner, but that’s not the only cause.
Sometimes, the groundwater around your pool can seep in behind the liner from the soil. This is common in areas with a lot of rainfall.
How Can You Prevent Water From Getting Behind Your Pool Liner?
The best way to keep your pool’s liner in good shape is through preventative measures. We already went through a couple, but let’s wrap it up nicely with the full list:
- Keep water at the appropriate levels. Levels that are too high or too low can lead to issues with your liner.
- Make sure your vacuum pump is not clogged and is fully operational.
- Locate leaks and patch them when necessary.
- When in doubt, get professional help.
