How to extend the life of your pool liner.

Your pool liner is made from vinyl (polyvinylchloride), it is a plastic and it is not impervious to chemicals or weather. However it is designed to stand up for many years, to normal pool chemicals and has a UV protection layer on top, for sun protection.

The recommendations for proper water balance are provided by the manufacturers of the vinyl, it is important to understand that each component has an effect on the pool vinyl.

Free chlorine between 1.5 – 2.5 ppm - too much can bleach the inks on the liner, within these limits the water will be safe for swimming

pH between 7.2 – 7.6 - too low makes it too acidic, too high to alkali, this affects the pool liner and the efficiency of the chlorine

Alkalinity between 80 – 100 ppm -this is related to pH levels, and affects the efficiency of chlorine

Calcium minimum 200 ppm -too little calcium and the water will take it out of the liner

Stabilizer minimum 50 ppm -cyanuric acid (CYA) protects the liner from chlorine and pH, and reduces the loss of chlorine in the water

(ppm means parts per million)

You will notice that the tolerances are rather small, so whether you use a salt-chlorine generator or stabilized chlorine, it is important to test the water balance regularly yourself and periodically take your water to a local pool dealer for testing and recommendations. Failure to keep your water within these recommendations will void any warranty which may be provided by the manufacturer of the vinyl material.