Vinyl Liner Construction Timeline Overview

Phase 1: Vinyl Liner Excavation

When excavating for a vinyl liner pool, the hole is dug approximately three feet larger than the finished pool around the entire perimeter.

This allows space for vertical braces that support individual wall panels.Some builders dig the entire hole initially, including the deep end.

Others excavate in two phases, digging enough to install the perimeter wall panels first, then commencing excavation of the deep end.

Duration: 1–2 days

Project Time Frame: Day 1–2

Phase 2: Wall Panel Assembly

Vinyl liner pool walls are composed of a series of panels made of either steel or aluminum.

These panels are bolted together and secured with braces for support.

These wall panels are typically 42 inches tall, which is why the shallow end of vinyl liner pools are typically that depth.During assembly of the wall panels, any plastic or fiberglass steps or “buddy seats” are installed as well.

Duration: 1 Day

Project Time Frame: Day 2–3

***Inspection needed before pouring footing

Phase 3: Concrete Footing

After assembly of the perimeter wall panels is complete and the footing inspection approved, an 8-inch-deep concrete footing is poured around the outside perimeter of the structure.

This locks the wall panels in place and prevents them from shifting over time.

Duration: ½ Day

Project Time Frame: Day 3–4

***Inspection needed after pouring footing

Phase 4: Vinyl Liner Pool Plumbing

Plumbing is installed around the perimeter of the pool and to the pump and filter system.

Duration: 1 Day

Project Time Frame: Day 3–4

Phase 5: Installing the Vinyl Liner Pool Base

Now that the wall panels are assembled and secured, the plumbing is run, and the hole is completely excavated and shaped up, it’s time to lay down the material that covers the exposed earth and that the liner rests upon.

This material is mixed then troweled in place and is typically either a blend of vermiculite, cement, and water.

It’s critical to obtain a smooth finish on the base of a vinyl liner pool because any imperfections will be seen through the liner.

Duration: 1–2 Days

Project Time Frame: Day 4–5

Phase 6: Installing the Liner

Now it's time to install the liner.

Vinyl liners are typically 20–27 mils thick—about the thickness of about 10 sheets of paper.

The top of the liner has a “bead” that inserts into a track which is mounted to the top of the wall panels.

The liner is placed into the pool, “snapped” into place, then form-fitted to the shape of the pool using a vacuum to remove the air behind the liner.

Once the liner is adjusted to remove wrinkles, the pool is filled with water. When there’s enough water to hold the liner in place, the holes for any skimmers, lights, return jets, or the pool steps are cut and FACE-PLATES are installed to hold the liner in place.

The pool is then completely filled with water.

Duration: 1 Day

Project Time Frame: Day 5–6

***Bonding inspection required

Phase 7: Vinyl Liner Patio Installation

Although some contractors opt to complete the patio surround before installing the liner, most prefer to get the initial pool installation completed first.

Either way, one key to success regarding patios around vinyl liner pools is ensuring that the material beneath the patio is stable.

This can be a challenge because, as you recall, almost three feet of earth is removed around the outside perimeter of the pool. When this large void is back-filled it must be properly compacted.

Many times, contractors will back-fill with the same dirt that was removed without using proper compaction methods and this can lead to structural patio problems down the road.

Duration: 1–2 weeks

Project Time Frame: Week 3/4

Phase 8: Vinyl Liner Pool Start-up

The standard start-up procedure for a vinyl liner pool is to test and adjust the water chemistry to bring it within accepted ranges and to clean the filter as needed until the water is clear.

Vinyl Liner Construction Timeline Overview

Phase 1: Vinyl Liner Excavation

When excavating for a vinyl liner pool, the hole is dug approximately three feet larger than the finished pool around the entire perimeter.

This allows space for vertical braces that support individual wall panels.Some builders dig the entire hole initially, including the deep end.

Others excavate in two phases, digging enough to install the perimeter wall panels first, then commencing excavation of the deep end.

Duration: 1–2 days

Project Time Frame: Day 1–2

Phase 2: Wall Panel Assembly

Vinyl liner pool walls are composed of a series of panels made of either steel or aluminum.

These panels are bolted together and secured with braces for support.

These wall panels are typically 42 inches tall, which is why the shallow end of vinyl liner pools are typically that depth.During assembly of the wall panels, any plastic or fiberglass steps or “buddy seats” are installed as well.

Duration: 1 Day

Project Time Frame: Day 2–3

Phase 3: Concrete Footing

After assembly of the perimeter wall panels is complete and the footing inspection approved, an 8-inch-deep concrete footing is poured around the outside perimeter of the structure.

This locks the wall panels in place and prevents them from shifting over time.

Duration: ½ Day

Project Time Frame: Day 3–4

Phase 4: Vinyl Liner Pool Plumbing

Plumbing is installed around the perimeter of the pool and to the pump and filter system.

Duration: 1 Day

Project Time Frame: Day 3–4

Phase 5: Installing the Vinyl Liner Pool Base

Now that the wall panels are assembled and secured, the plumbing is run, and the hole is completely excavated and shaped up, it’s time to lay down the material that covers the exposed earth and that the liner rests upon.

This material is mixed then troweled in place and is typically either a blend of vermiculite, cement, and water.

It’s critical to obtain a smooth finish on the base of a vinyl liner pool because any imperfections will be seen through the liner.

Duration: 1–2 Days

Project Time Frame: Day 4–5

Phase 6: Installing the Liner

Now it's time to install the liner.

Vinyl liners are typically 20–27 mils thick—about the thickness of about 10 sheets of paper.

The top of the liner has a “bead” that inserts into a track which is mounted to the top of the wall panels.

The liner is placed into the pool, “snapped” into place, then form-fitted to the shape of the pool using a vacuum to remove the air behind the liner.

Once the liner is adjusted to remove wrinkles, the pool is filled with water. When there’s enough water to hold the liner in place, the holes for any skimmers, lights, return jets, or the pool steps are cut and FACE-PLATES are installed to hold the liner in place.

The pool is then completely filled with water.

Duration: 1 Day

Project Time Frame: Day 5–6

Phase 7: Vinyl Liner Patio Installation

Although some contractors opt to complete the patio surround before installing the liner, most prefer to get the initial pool installation completed first.

Either way, one key to success regarding patios around vinyl liner pools is ensuring that the material beneath the patio is stable.

This can be a challenge because, as you recall, almost three feet of earth is removed around the outside perimeter of the pool. When this large void is back-filled it must be properly compacted.

Many times, contractors will back-fill with the same dirt that was removed without using proper compaction methods and this can lead to structural patio problems down the road.

Duration: 1–2 weeks

Project Time Frame: Week 3/4

Phase 8: Vinyl Liner Pool Start-up

The standard start-up procedure for a vinyl liner pool is to test and adjust the water chemistry to bring it within accepted ranges and to clean the filter as needed until the water is clear.

Duration: 1–2 Days

Project Time Frame: Week 4/6

Some projects and builders will be faster and some slower.