Pool liners are usually what make your pool look inviting and swimmable. Not many people would like to swim in a pool without pool liners. Pool liners actually create such thrilling and relaxing effects. So in this article, we shall be explaining how long a pool liner can last without water.
If your pool has enough groundwater, then it would react to the water pressure outside the pool, creating no risk at all for your pool liner.
But if your pool is completely empty, no matter the pool type, it will definitely develop problems. This risks the pool liner getting damaged. The pool liner would begin to dry out and shrink such that it could even tear when the pool is re-filled with water after a long time of neglect.
A pool can be left empty for months but it is not advisable. But a pool liner may only last for at most a month or more without water.
This is because, when it is left in the pool without water, the pool liner would be directly exposed to the UV rays from the sun, and algae stains that have grown in the pool.
This fading would develop, and the pool liner would begin to lose its effect. A pool liner cannot last long without water in a pool.
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Are Pool Liners Categorized?
When it comes to picking the perfect pool liner for your pool, it might get confusing because there are different types of pool liners. That is, the pool liners have been categorized into several types.
And one of the striking differences that distinguish them from each other is the way they are attached to a pool. Some pool liners are to be attached from the deeper section of the pool down to the shallow section.
While some pool liners are to be attached from the shallow part of the pool and then to the deepest part. And still, there are some pool liners that are for flat surfaces, while some are for round surfaces.
Just in case you aren’t aware, all pool liners are made from vinyl material. Although they vary in thickness. Some are about 20 mils thick, and some others are about 30 mils thicker.
Any pool expert would suggest that you should always pick the thicker pool liner even though it might cost more but it will last longer than the lighter one. So whatever your budget is, any type of this pool liner can perfectly fit into your budget.
Apparently, there are over 4 different types of pool liners for both your above and in-ground pools.
1. Overlap Liners
This pool liner called overlap is a kind of liner that goes right over the pool wall especially if you are using an above-ground pool. The overlap liners have something called coping strips. These coping strips clip the pool liner to the pool wall.
If your above-ground or in-ground pool has a flat floor surface, then you can use the overlap vinyl pool liner. However, if otherwise, then it can’t be used.
This overlap pool liner is durable, and also comes in many design patterns. They are also less expensive, which means they are affordable and quite easy to install. Although, when it is not well inserted, it can look messy.
2. Expandable Liners
This expandable liner is another type of pool liner that is placed over the pool wall and held in place with the aid of coping strips. However these liners are usually wider in size and that is why a pool with about 72-inch walls, can easily use this expandable liner.
Now the extra pool liner would be used in the other parts of the pool. But the problem with expandable liners is that it tends to wrinkle even though it allows you to have about two foot into your pool depth.
3. J-Hook Liners
The J-Hook liner usually has a ‘J’ like shape that is attached to the liner. They do not require any cooing strips for any measure. Instead, the hook on the liners is hooked on the pool wall.
This pool liner looks completely good on any pool wall it is installed. It is a perfect pool liner that doesn’t require any effort for it to be correctly installed.
When it is installed correctly, it doesn’t have any extra liner hanging unevenly over the wall. However, only flat bottom pool owners can use this pool liner. If you own a round or irregular bottom pool, then you can’t use it.
4. Uni-bead Liners
This pool liner can be used for above-ground pools. Sometimes, a uni-bead liner is usually created. That is, it is done by buying a J-hook liner and a uni-bead liner and converting it to what you want.
If you have a J-Hook liner, you can convert it to a uni-bead liner by adding a small plastic piece to the hook liner. Now this small plastic piece, rightly fits into a track that rightly goes around the wall of your pool all the way to hold the liner in place.
Or better still, the uni-bead liner can be purchased. This liner is quite easy to install, and it has a very neat appearance once it is correctly installed. You don’t need to smooth out wrinkles. However, it requires a flat pool surface as well.
Read: How Long Does It Take To Replace A Pool Liner?
What About Inground Pool Liners
Although most inground pools usually make use of fiberglass, or concrete in their polls. However, there is a pool liner for inground pools that lasts up to 7 to 10 years.
It is called the ‘vinyl liner’ this particular vinyl liner for inground pools comes in different shapes and sizes with a lot of different patterns embedded in them.
Although the in-ground pool liners are usually more expensive than the above-ground pool they are easy to install.
Final Thought
Your pool liner is fragile and may not last long without water in the pool. This is because it has been designed to house water.
Therefore, staying without water will cause shrinking and automatic damage. A pool liner can last for only about a month or a few more without water in the pool.
