PVC membranes, also called vinyl liners, can be less expensive when initially building or installing a pool compared to cement-based materials or INTER-GLASS®. Due to their incredibly flexible nature these liners are prone to over-stretching, ballooning, or ripping causing repairs to be made long before their five-year or ten-year warranties at the financial expense of the pool owner.
In addition to surface damage of the liner, PVC membranes are prone to growing bacteria, mold, and fungus in between the liner and pool shell surface. Pinholes in the PVC or failed seams allow the mold to contaminate the pool water, as well as allowing water to infiltrate behind the liner causing it to “balloon”. This will cause the pool shell to deteriorate, crumbling underneath the existing liner. In addition, liners cover up expansion joints so that caulking cannot be maintained, potentially permitting ground water to enter.
Wrinkles in PVC Membrane
Ballooning Under PVC Membrane
Patch on PVC Membrane
Black Mold Growth Beneath PVC Liner
Metropolitan Community College at Longview, Lee’s Summit, MO
PVC Membrane to INTER-GLASS®
