A tear in a swimming pool’s lining, a protective layer applied to the pool before it’s filled, is a common repair encountered by homeowners. The liner acts as a barrier between the pool walls/floor and water, and it helps prevent mold growth. Vinyl lining is popular largely due to its affordability. Expect to pay $200, on average, to have a professional repair a tear in a vinyl liner. If the tear is small enough, you may be able to repair it yourself with a vinyl pool liner patch kit (starting at $6 on Amazon). If the entire liner needs to be replaced, plan to pay a pro a minimum of $1,700 for parts and labor.
If a gradual decrease in water level leads you to suspect a slow leak, it will cost you around $350 to have a repairman inspect your pool to find the leak and fix it (if it’s small). If there’s a leak in your pool’s plumbing, which can later affect the pool filter pump and heater, you want to have a professional assess the damage. The average cost to fix a plumbing leak is around $1,000.
When considering purchasing a home with a pool, you’ll want to be sure to ask the seller questions about any previous repair work, advises Frank Lesh, executive director of the American Society of Home Inspectors. Find out the specific type of repairs and when they were completed. A pattern of small repairs could be a warning sign of a larger, costlier repair to come.
