Pool liner replacement
Full tearout, wall and floor inspection, pattern selection, and install. Everything that's found under the liner is quoted before we proceed. No mid-job surprises.
What the job includes
- Drain, tearout, and disposal of the old liner
- Wall panel and floor inspection, with all findings quoted before we proceed
- Rust grinding and floor base preparation
- Pattern selection from Poolwerx and Latham
- Custom sizing for non-standard pools
- Written quote before work begins
New liner. Like-new pool.
Liner replacement starts with a look at what you have. We assess the pool, check the condition of walls and floor, and quote the full job before anything is touched. Call (519) 886-8751 or email info@aquascapesrc.ca.
What happens during a liner replacement
-
Assessment and tearout
We drain the pool and pull the old liner. This is when the pool's real condition becomes visible: wall panels, the main drain, the floor base, all of it. Common findings are corroded wall panels, damaged main drain gaskets, floor irregularities, and brittle return fittings. None of these are unusual on a pool with a liner that's ten or fifteen years old. Every finding is documented and quoted before we proceed. Nothing is added to the job without your authorization.
-
Wall and base preparation
Rust ground off, damaged panels repaired, floor base re-trowelled where it has settled or shifted. The liner sits on what's underneath it. Proper prep is what makes it last. If we find structural issues that change the scope of the job, we stop and quote before continuing.
-
Pattern selection
We carry Poolwerx and Latham liners, which together cover the full range of patterns and colours. If your pool was built with a Kafko liner, the Latham catalogue is the direct successor. We've installed Kafko since 1994 and know which Latham pattern is the closest match. Standard sizes ship quickly; custom sizes are available for non-standard pools.
-
Install and refill
New liner bead seated in the coping track, floor wrinkles worked out before the water goes in, refill begins. Most pools are back in service within one to two days of tearout. We schedule the work to minimize downtime.
Common findings and how we handle them
Liner tearout reveals what's been hidden for years. These are the four most common findings on pools with liners that are ten or more years old. None are unusual. All are addressed before the new liner goes in.
Corroded wall panels
Steel wall panels rust from the outside in, accelerated by poor drainage or soil contact. Surface rust is ground back and treated. Panels that have rusted through are replaced. We assess every panel after tearout and quote any replacement work before continuing.
Main drain gasket and hardware
The main drain gasket sits between the liner and the drain housing. After years of compression it becomes brittle and no longer seals. We replace the gasket and inspect the drain cover; tearout is the right time to confirm your cover meets current anti-entrapment standards.
Brittle return fittings
Plastic return and wall fittings become brittle after years of chemical exposure. Cracked fittings leak behind the wall. With the liner off and the wall exposed, replacing them is straightforward, and it's the only time to do it correctly.
Floor irregularities
The liner base (vermiculite or sand) settles over time, particularly around the main drain and step transitions. Voids and high spots show up when the liner comes off. We re-trowel and level before the new liner goes in.
Every finding is documented and quoted before we proceed. Nothing is added to the job without your authorization.
Liners from trusted manufacturers
We source vinyl liners from established manufacturers so you have a broad range of patterns, colours, and gauges to choose from, including custom sizes.
Poolwerx vinyl liners are manufactured for residential pools and are available in a broad selection of patterns and colours. We stock commonly requested patterns and can order custom sizes when your pool calls for it.
See Poolwerx patterns
Latham is one of North America's largest pool manufacturers, offering a wide range of liner patterns, colours, and gauges. Their Canadian lineup includes patterns from Kafko Manufacturing, a longstanding name in Canadian pools, now part of the Latham family.
See Latham & Kafko patterns
We work across the region
- Kitchener
- Waterloo
- Cambridge
- Elmira
- Guelph
- New Hamburg
- Hawkesville
- Wellesley
- Baden
- New Dundee
- St. Jacobs
- St. Clements
- Heidelberg
- Maryhill
- Conestogo
Frequently
asked
questions
Common questions about liner replacement, what's under the liner, Kafko patterns, liner thickness, and how jobs are quoted.
Don't see yours? Give us a call at (519) 886-8751. We're always happy to talk it through.
How do I know if my liner needs replacing rather than patching?
If the liner has one clean tear away from a seam, a patch is usually the right call. If it has multiple leaks, is separating from the coping, has gone brittle, or is faded and staining easily, replacement is the better investment. We assess it on-site and give you an honest recommendation.
How long does a liner replacement take?
Most replacements are completed in one to two days: drain and tearout on the first, install and start refilling on the second. We schedule the work to minimize the time your pool is out of service.
My pool has a Kafko liner. Can you match the pattern?
Likely yes. Kafko Manufacturing is now part of Latham Pool Products, and most Kafko patterns have a direct Latham equivalent. We've installed Kafko liners since 1994 and know the catalogue well. Bring the pattern name or a description to the on-site assessment and we'll find the closest match.
What happens if wall damage is found after the liner is removed?
We stop, document what we found, and quote the additional work before proceeding. Common findings are corroded wall panels, damaged main drain gaskets, floor irregularities, and brittle return fittings. None of these are unusual on a pool with a liner that's ten or fifteen years old. You'll know the cost before we continue. There are no mid-job invoice surprises.
How thick will my new liner be?
In Ontario, standard residential liners are 28-mil. (US-market liners are typically 20-mil, but our climate calls for thicker.) Anything lighter shouldn't be used on an inground pool.
How long will a new liner last?
A well-maintained vinyl liner typically lasts 18 to 20 years. The factors that shorten liner life are poor water chemistry (particularly low pH), physical damage, and UV exposure when the pool sits low on water. We'll walk you through what to watch for when the job is done.
Do you have records on file for Aquascapes-built pools?
Yes. Every pool Aquascapes has built since 1994 is on file: pool shape, dimensions, and build notes. If we built your pool, liner replacement starts with the record, not a tape measure. Every Aquascapes pool built since 1994 also has a standpipe under the liner: a filtered drain line that simplifies the drain and refill process at replacement time. That build decision from thirty years ago pays off the day the liner needs replacing.
What our clients are saying
They opened our pool this year....and the service was OUTSTANDING. This same crew came to replace a gasket on the sand filter...and AGAIN...we received a friendly, professional, caring service to repair the problem. I highly recommend them!
Called 3 different companies to come try and fix my leak. Each one had a different idea of why it was leaking with big $ for each fix. Aquaecapes fix it in 20 minutes. Their amazing!
Incredibly helpful and honest services. Have been dealing with Sean and his staff for 10 years and would highly recommend Aquascapes to any pool owner 👍😊
More from Aquascapes
Pool openings
Get your season started right. We remove the cover, prepare the water, inspect your equipment, and have you swimming fast.
Pool closings
Protect your investment over winter. We blow the lines, winterize equipment, and close properly so spring is headache-free.
Emergency repair
Leak, pump failure, liner damage. We know pools inside out and can diagnose problems before they get expensive.
Ready to replace your liner?
