Noob from OKC taking on liner install

[zmanh]

Other than problems with liner fitting, how did the install go? Did you learn any do's or do not's that you can pass on? Did you use vacuum to pull liner in and help with wrinkles? Also, how about gasket material behind any cutouts for return, skimmer, etc.? Thanks

[okcnewbie]

I'm glad to help if I can.
I have a regular beaded liner and I set the shallow end corners first. Then worked my way to the deep end sticking a penny in every 2 to 3 feet. If the liner perimeter was right this would have went perfectly. I have diagonal corners and I used a little liner lock to hold them in.
I didn't replace the gasket in the main drain. I installed the screws in the main drain and skimmer before setting the liner. I was nervous about this but I'd definitely do it again.
I did use two shop vacs to help set the liner. I found it easier to just tape off the skimmer and vacuum from a different place.
There was supposed to be a gasket at my skimmer but there wasn't. The previous installer also had two different size screws going into the face plate. They didn't even go all the way in. I'm convinced this is what caused the backfill dirt behind the two panels to washout.
I have a vermiculite bottom and decided it needed redone. I found medium verm at a plant services company. I used about 16cu ft and 2 1/2 bags of cement to do the bottom and touch up the sides. This was the hardest part for me.
I should have swept better but once the water was in you couldn't tell. I don't have a light in my pool.
If you can lay flooring and are quite handy then this isn't too much to take on.
If you have any other questions (now that I'm an expert. .. lol) feel free to ask.

[okcnewbie]

Replacement liner is on the way. I'm pretty sure I won't be installing the new liner for a year or two.

[Waldog]

I'm confused... didn't you need a new liner? Where's the pics of the pool?

[okcnewbie]

The new liner I installed doesn't fit correctly in one corner. The problem is at the channel. I had to install the liner to prevent any problems that could occur with an empty pool. The corner looks terrible. The improperly fit liner still looks so much better than what we've had the last several years that I'm not in a hurry to empty the pool right now. I'll try and email more pics.

[Watermom]

Instead of emailing them, you can use Flickr, Picasa, Photobucket, etc and post them yourself. Link to them with the button. (This gets them on the forum faster than emailing them.)

[FormerBromineUser]

BTW, I was reading about your closing and your water turning dark. After adding polyquat and waiting 48 hours, did you bring the FC back up to shock level?