NE Ohio Race

Pools with dish-shaped bottoms or deep end above ground pools are also referred to as variable depth pools which need expandable liners. These allow a swimming area that is deeper than the height of the pool’s walls but the name is a bit misleading. They don’t really expand or stretch any more than other liners.

Expandable liners are only available in overlap style, such as the 24 ft overlap pool liner, because the amount of overlap varies depending upon the depth you have excavated. It is essentially the same as a normal overlap liner excpt it has a taller wall portion. The wall portion’s height will vary according to how much deeper the excavation is than that of a normal flat bottom pool.

Due to the imprecise way the overlap liner is placed into the pool (differing amounts will overlap the walls and need to be trimmed after installation), it is currently not possible to buy a beaded expandable liner. This is because beaded pool liner replacement need to be atached precisely to the top of the pool wall. This means you can’t have an expandable liner with a top tile or top print pattern but must choose a solid color or full pattern liner.

Sharkline Pools offers a variable depth expandable liner as one of their pool supplies. This is an excerpt from their installation instructions:

1. Excavate the deepend swimming area according to the dimensions shown in the diagram of your pool. A 6″ area along the circumference of the pool has been allotted for the earth covering that is needed. Make sure top protect the entire area with sifted earth. Dampen and tamp earth to prevent shifting and to remove footprints.

2. Carefully unroll the liner in the pool. Initially, rest the seam of the liner at the circumference on the cove. Position the wall of the liner over the top rails and secure with a piece of rope. Use excess liner material from the entire circumference and drop it into the excavated area.

3. Start filling with water and as you do so, smooth away as many wrinkles as possible. Since the liner is not custom fitted to the excavation, expect a few wrinkles.

4. When the water has reached a level above the cove, remove the top rails and secure the liner to the top of the metal wall as described in the instructions.

You can make the installation reach a more professional standard by smoothing out the wrinkles in the wall, and doubling over the access material over the wall before attaching the blue coping.

5. Replace top rails as you work around the pool.

6. Position the decals you are supplied with. The “no diving-jumping” decal is best fixed on the vinyl liner above water level but below the top rail.