How to Prevent and Fix Wrinkles in Your Pool Liner

Revised on August 28, 2025

Wrinkles in swimming pool liners are common, but that doesn’t make them any less frustrating for pool owners to deal with. Wrinkles aren’t pretty to look at and they put your swimming pool at a higher risk for damage and costly repairs. 

If you spotted wrinkles in your pool, you’re not alone. They’re one of the most common issues above ground pool owners face. That said, they’re often preventable and fixable without draining your pool or calling in reinforcements.

Let’s explore what causes wrinkles in your pool, how to prevent them from occurring, and how to fix them if they happen in your swimming pool.

Is It Bad to Have Wrinkles in My Pool Liner?

Yes, wrinkles in your pool liner are not ideal. Besides being unpleasant to look at, wrinkles can cause damage to your swimming pool. 

If you just have a couple of small wrinkles, it’s probably not the end of the world. However, a wrinkled pool liner impacts: 

• Safety: Wrinkles can create little bumps on the floor that swimmers, especially kids, might trip over while swimming or playing.
• Cleanliness: Dirt, algae, and debris love to hide in those folds, making your pool harder to keep clean and impacting overall water chemistry. 
• Liner lifespan: Wrinkles can cause uneven wear and tear on your liner over time, leading to tears, leaks, and liner replacements faster.
• Aesthetics: It’s just a fact that wrinkles impact the overall look of your pool. A smooth liner looks better for those backyard pool parties and staycations.

What Causes Wrinkles In A Pool Liner?

The first step in protecting your swimming pool liner from wrinkles is to know how they form. Here are a few common causes wrinkled pool liner causes. 

Wrong Liner Size Or Improper Installation  

Wrinkles tend to happen most often while installing your new liner. If the liner wasn’t perfectly smooth when installed, wrinkles can sneak in.

Accurately measuring your swimming pool and getting a liner that is the exact fit is important to avoid wrinkles. Never add water to your pool until the liner lies exactly how you want it and is wrinkle-free. 

Be sure to check out these tips for a wrinkle-free pool liner installation.

Slipping Pool Liner

If you do not have enough coping clips attaching your overlap pool liner, the liner can start to slip down the wall. This creates wrinkles in the wall that will likely spread to the floor of your pool.

Water Loss

If have a leaky liner, significant water loss is another cause of wrinkles. A low water level causes the liner to move away from your pool’s walls which can cause wrinkles or breaking depending on how brittle your liner is.

Improper Water Chemistry

Keeping your pool’s chemical levels balanced is important to protect your liner from wrinkles. High chlorine and low pH levels are two culprits of wrinkles. 

Early signs of unbalanced chemicals can often be seen by a fading or bleaching of your liner. If you see this happening, you may want to consider adjusting your chemical levels.

How to Prevent Wrinkles in My Pool Liner

Wrinkle prevention is easier than wrinkle removal. Proper swimming pool maintenance is the best way to avoid liner wrinkles. 

Keep Your Water Balanced

Test your swimming pool water frequently, paying close attention to pH and alkalinity. Balanced water can help prevent your liner from stretching or puckering.

Watch Your Water Level

Don’t let the water level drop too low for long periods. A liner without the right amount of water pressing against it is more likely to shift and wrinkle. It’s important to check water level after a storm, very hot days, and days with lots of swimming. 

Smooth Out Wrinkles During Installation

If you’re putting in a new liner, take your time to ensure it’s smooth from the get-go. A wrinkle-free installation saves you headaches down the road.

The sooner you catch wrinkles forming, the better your chance is for removing them. Liner wrinkles that have existed for months are nearly impossible to remove, so as soon as you see any, try to remove them. 

Regularly Inspect for Leaks

Even a small leak can allow water behind your liner, causing shifting and wrinkles. Make it a habit to regularly check for damp spots around the pool and look closely for rips, tears, and punctures.

Open & Close Your Pool Properly

When you’re opening your above ground pool in the spring or closing your pool in the fall, follow best practices. Proper seasonal care keeps your liner tight and smooth year after year.

We recommend using the right pool cover, avoiding sharp tools near the liner, and taking your time during setup. 

How to Get Wrinkles out of Your Pool Liner

When you notice wrinkles forming in your pool, there are a few simple ways you can get rid of them.

Don’t Add Or Remove Water

When installing your pool liner, you want to remove all the wrinkles BEFORE you add in the water. Many people think the weight of the water will help press out the wrinkles, but that’s rarely the case. Once they’re covered with water, they’re pretty set in place.. 

If your pool is already filled with water, draining your swimming pool is not the answer either. Pumping the water out of your pool impacts your liner and the structural integrity of your pool.

Warm Things Up

Cold temperatures and water can make the liner feel stiffer and prompt wrinkles. If you’re trying to remove wrinkles from your pool, pick a warm day and turn up your pool heater to help soften the vinyl on the liner and make it easier to push wrinkles out.

Use Your Feet & Hands

Put on your swimsuit and hop in! Use your hands or feet to gently spread the wrinkles and push them toward the wall. This works best for small wrinkles in the floor of the pool.

(Be sure to go bare foot or wear water shoes with soft rubber soles to avoid damage to the liner.) 

Try the Plunger Trick

Grab a clean toilet plunger that’s never been used. Use it to gently suction and pull on the wrinkles in your liner, moving  them toward the pool wall until they smooth out. 

Brush the Wrinkles Out

Another method is to use a soft-bristle pool brush to push wrinkles toward the edge of the pool. This takes a little time and patience, but can be effective on longer wrinkles and creases.

Buy a New Liner

If the above tactics fail, your liner may be too old or stretched. Your best bet at that point is to purchase and install a new pool liner.  

At Linerworld, we have a variety of unique above ground pool liners that will bring a pop of color and fun to your backyard.

Wrinkle-Free & Ready for Fun!

A smooth pool liner means a safer, more comfortable swim for your family. Wrinkles can cause tripping hazards and collect dirt, so fixing them keeps your pool looking great and feeling great too.

Now, grab your goggles, toss in some floaties, and enjoy that perfectly smooth pool—you’ve earned it!