Termites and Vinyl Swimming Pool Liners
I was recently asked if termites can damage a vinyl liner in a swimming pool. It doesn’t happen very often, but yes termites can eat through a swimming pool liner. We assume that they gravitate toward the dampness in the ground. Termites can create small pin-like holes in the swimming pool liner, usually starting just above the waterline on your in-ground swimming pool, on an above-ground pool the damage usually starts in the cove area. If your swimming pool liner has suspected termite damage, you can try pulling the vinyl swimming pool liner away from the pool wall to see if you can see any noticeable termite trails or tunnels.
You may try contacting a local pest control company to see if they can treat your yard for termites, or you can put down a layer of plastic underneath the swimming pool liner.
5 Responses on Termites and Vinyl Swimming Pool Liners
That is good advice about the termites. Not a problem here in Saint John NB but good advice just the same. Termites really can be a pest - you’d think they had better things to do than to ruin a swimming pool wouldn’t you.
Oh my word, I have had a lot of people complain about termites these have to be one of the worst insects out there, they cause so much damage and a lot of people think that they just cause damage to wood, but I have seen first hand what they can do. Best thing to sort out this problem is get someone in to rid ones place of them.
I’ve never heard of termites attacking a swimming pool before. Growing up in the west, just about everyone has a swimming pool - it’s hot most of the year. Dealing with chemicals, water scale and evaporation seems like enough work. But, having to protect your pool from termites is a whole-nother issue. Great post about a topic that doesn’t see a whole lot of exposure.
I’ll admit I’ve never heard of termites begin a problem for swimming pools and liners before - having a pool is great but there’s definitely some work to keep it maintained throughout each year.
Oh yes, Termites can and do eat pin holes in a pool liner. I have this going on right now in my above ground pool liner. This is what I’m going to try fixing the bugs. Pull out the old liner with the holes in it and treat the soil under the liner. Then place either Tyvek or roofing felt on the pool floor and side walls. Caution, do not use the foam padding that is sold as “Happy Bottom” or anything like it. The foam provides an air space for the bugs to tunnel through. This is a fact and I have the photos with bug tracks all through the foam from the last liner the bugs eat through. Tyvek or roofing felt? This is what I’m studding now. Roofing felt is a lot cheaper but, will the tar in it have and adverse effect on the vinyl. Tyvek is a lot thinner but 4 times the cost. This is the big question, can termites eat through Tyvek or roofing felt?
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