Many in-ground and above-ground pools are installed with a vinyl liner. This material is durable, relatively inexpensive, and comes in a wide range of styles and colors to suit your desired look. Still, vinyl can become ripped or torn if you're not careful, which is why knowing how to properly repair your vinyl pool liner when needed is so important.

As you prepare to fix your torn pool liner, be sure to avoid a few of these common mistakes.

Draining Completely Before Repair

One of the biggest mistakes people make when repairing a vinyl pool liner is assuming that the entire pool needs to be drained in order to complete the repair. This is almost never true. In most cases, you will only need to drain your pool to about an inch below the area that needs to be patched. Completely draining an above-ground pool is never recommended, as it can cause the pool itself to collapse.

Buying the Wrong Liner Patch

There are many different types of liner patches on the market, though not all are created equal. Take time to research your patch options; it will likely be worth it to spend a little more money on a quality patch that's going to stand the test of time. Furthermore, be sure to choose a patch that will blend in with the existing liner as seamlessly as possible. You may even be able to contact your original pool manufacturer to get an exact match.

Not Giving the Repair Enough Time

Keep in mind that when patching a torn vinyl liner, you will likely need at least 24 hours (if not more) for the repair to set. Otherwise, the patch won't hold. Follow the instructions carefully and do not fill your pool back up with water until instructed to do so. Likewise, try to protect the patched area from any precipitation that may be in the weather forecast.

Not Knowing When to Replace

Sometimes a tear in a vinyl liner is severe enough that it cannot be patched. In these instances, you will need to replace your pool's entire liner. This is something that will need to be done by an experienced pool repair professional, as it is not an easy job.

By avoiding these common mistakes when it comes to vinyl pool liner repair, you can have your vinyl liner fixed and your pool back up and running in no time!