How Big Of A Hole Can You Patch In A Pool Liner? (Find Out Now!)

Ossiana Tepfenhart
by Ossiana Tepfenhart

Pool liners are what separate your pool’s water from the rest of the world. They are a mainstay when it comes to your pool’s ability to contain water well. In fact, you kind of need to have a pool liner that’s fully functional in order to properly swim in your pool. When you have a hole in your liner, it’s normal to have a need to patch things up. It’s clear that you are going to need to fix holes, but how big is too big to fix?

Patching a pool liner is a last-minute defense for your pool. If you have to patch your pool liner instead of replace it, then you need to be aware that the largest hole you can effectively patch will be about 8 inches in length. The smaller the hole, the better off you will be with this repair method.

If you cannot patch the hole in your pool liner, then you are going to have to replace it. You need to get the details on patches and how well they work.

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How Large Of A Hole Can Your Pool Liner Patch Fix?

Patches can only fix holes that are smaller than them. Currently, the largest pool liner patches on the market can fix holes up to 8 inches wide. However, that is only a fraction of the whole story. The larger the patch you have, the less effective it will be. This means that you will have to repatch an 8-inch hole more frequently than a 2-inch hole

After a certain point, it won’t make sense to keep repatching your pool liner. If you have the budget for it, it’s better to replace your pool liner if you see a hole that’s larger than six inches in diameter. Otherwise, it’s going to be a rough time.

How Big Of A Patch Do You Need?

In order to properly patch a pool liner, you will need to have a patch that has at least two inches of extra space on either side of the patch. So, if you have a pool liner tear that is 2 inches wide, you will need a 6-inch patch. If your hole is 10 inches wide, then your patch will be around 14 inches.

What Type Of Patch Should You Use For A Pool Liner?

There are two primary types of pool patches that you can choose from: dry patch kits and wet patch kits. Most of the time, people choose to use wet patch kits because they work well in pools that are currently filled with water. (Ergo, the “wet” part of the term wet patch.) If you have a dry patch kit, then you will need to apply the patch after your pool has been drained.

How Much Does It Cost To Patch A Pool Liner?

Pool liners are not like bicycle tires. When you have a tear in a pool liner you can’t just patch it with any old patch you find. You will need to seek out specialty patches that are literally made for pool repair. Patching up small holes in your pool liner will cost around $250 to $500 to diagnose and fix professionally, with the average repair price being $350.

Are There Any Affordable Alternatives To Pool Liner Patches?

Yes and no. You are still going to need to have something that acts similar to a patch. The most commonly-used alternative is FlexSeal, and we have a whole article on it. FlexSeal can be used to patch up a pool liner in a pinch. This is often a good DIY solution, though you may have to drain your pool in order to do it.

How Long Do Pool Liner Patches Last?

It’s important to remember that pool liner patches are not meant to be a permanent fixture in your home. They are expected to last for a couple of years at most. In most cases, you will have to repatch your pool liner at least once every three to four years. With that said, you should consider whether or not it even makes sense to patch your pool.

Does It Make Sense To Patch Your Pool Liner?

It honestly depends on the size of the patch and the age of the pool. Extremely large holes should not be patched as the patches won’t stay. A vinyl pool liner is only meant to last for 10 to 15 years on average. If your pool liner is older than 8 years, you should strongly consider replacing it instead. After all, your pool is already starting to near its twilight years. Why repair a pool liner that’s about to die on you anyway?

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Related Questions

How long does a patch take to set on a pool liner?

It honestly depends on the type of patch that you use, as well as how you applied it to the pool. Most patches will take a full 24 hours to fully set. To better ensure the quality of your patch job, squeeze out air bubbles and only apply it on a clean surface. When putting the patch on and letting it cure, try to put a heavy object on top of it if at all possible.


What color pool liner is best?

It’s a matter of personal preference for most of us, but deep blue remains one of the most popular liner colors in the world. Along with reminding everyone of the color of water, deep blue pool liners have the added perk of being easy to patch. After all, most pool patches are made in a deep blue color simply because they are popular.


How can you tell if your pool liner is bad?

Frequent holes in your pool liner is a dead giveaway that your pool liner is bad, but there are other ways to tell. If you notice that your pool liner’s colors are starting to fade, the vinyl is going bad and needs to be replaced. This is especially true if you notice discoloration above the water line of the pool or if you notice strange stains developing near the outside.

Ossiana Tepfenhart
Ossiana Tepfenhart

Ossiana Tepfenhart is an expert writer, focusing on interior design and general home tips. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. Her interests include art and real estate investments.

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