Vinyl Liner Fails in Sanford, Maine Swimming Pool

After a harsh winter, the vinyl liner in a Sanford, Maine swimming pool is damaged beyond repair. Swimming Pool Inspection Service investigates.

Sanford, Maine Winter Causes Major Damage to Pool

Our inspector visited the Sanford, ME home and spoke with the homeowner who explained that the swimming pool in question had been properly winterized. However, when our inspector arrived, serious damage had been sustained to the swimming pool.

The Inspector’s Observations

In performing a thorough inspection of the pool and surrounding area, our inspector made the following observations:

• The filter was in good condition, the pump was operational and the plumbing seemed to be in good shape.
• The pool was empty for the most part; the water table was about 1 foot deep.
• The cover of the pool was in the pool;  the cover had been installed correctly.
• The liner was not brittle or discolored.
• The liner was pulled from the liner bead receiver, causing the receiver to break away and also to cause the coping to be broken away.
• The bottom of the pool was stone dust and had been washed out from the water leaking out.

Analysis of Damage

The pool and surrounding areas were in considerably good shape, given the age of the pool. The pool was likely over 20 years old, with the liner being much newer.

The cover was damaged beyond repair and could not be used again. The flotation device under the cover was driven to the bottom, this causing a rip in the liner. The ice in the pool was driven down into the pool by the weight of the snow.

Cause of Damage to Sanford, ME Pool

Our inspector concluded that after Sanford’s particularly harsh winter, that included many feet of snow, a pileup of snow on the cover caused the cover to become weighted down, and ultimately caused the frozen pool water to scrape against the sides of the liner, ripping it and damaging it beyond repair. In addition, our inspector estimated that it would cost over $15,000 to bring this pool back up to code, and in proper working condition.