In-Ground Swimming Pool Liner Installation Instructions
- 1). Empty the in-ground pool of water and ensure no pieces of the old liner remain inside the pool. Carry the liner down onto the pool bottom. Locate the "Deep End" or "Shallow End" label on the folded-up liner. Position the liner so the "Deep End" section points to the deep end of the pool and the "Shallow End" section points to the shallow end.
- 2). Unfold the pool liner completely. Position the shallow end line (a plastic ridge moving along the width of the liner) at the point where the shallow end begins sloping downward to the deep end. This ensures the liner is spread over the pool surface correctly.
- 3). Lift a section of the liner's side up to the coping of the pool wall. Insert the liner edge up into the coping until the coping holds it in place. Move around the sides of the pool while inserting the liner into the coping until the liner is completely connected to the pool wall. Pool coping effectively holds the liner in place on its own, but extra protection can be applied in the form of liner lock strips. Insert any liner lock strips directly into the coping with the liner. Liner lock strips fit into the coping and then lock into place, preventing the liner from being pulled out by accident.
- 4). Remove the lid of the pool's skimmer. Place a flat piece of cardboard over the skimmer hole. Cut a small round hole, the size of a small shop vacuum hose, in the middle of the cardboard and tape the sides of the cardboard down to the ground. Stick the hose down into the skimmer through the hole in the cardboard. Turn the shop vac on its suction setting to suck any air out from behind the liner. Run the shop vac until little air remains behind the liner.
- 5). Cut the liner in a "X" pattern where any pool features (skimmers, return lines, steps) exist. Install the frames, face plates, or collars of any pool features over the liner and secure them using the screws or bolts provided with the feature. Cut away any excess pool liner with scissors.
- 6). Walk around the inside of the pool with bare feet and push the liner bottom against the bottom of the wall. Start filling the pool with water and smooth out any wrinkles in the liner with your feet as the pool fills. Shut off the water once the water level reaches halfway up the skimmer.