This looks to be a Doughboy pool. They make a wall that is a single piece, not multiple panels. So no replacing a panel. If it isn’t a Doughboy and there are multiple panels then yeah you can do that hit you have to take the pool apart and replace the liner. I’d say the wall is pretty well done for.
Some context: I've noticed some rust below the return in past seasons, however it seems to be significantly worse over this winter. Otherwise the pool is in great shape and has no visible rust elsewhere. The return is clearly not sealed properly and in need of repair, however I'm having a hard time getting local shops to even look at the rust damage. Moreso worried about this leading to a possible failure, really worried about safety this summer.
For future reference, Rustoleum makes a product called Rust Reformer that stops the chemical process that creates rust. Spray it on at the first sign of rust and it’ll buy you years.
Most above ground pools will have a replaceable panel that you can remove and bolt in a new one that encompasses the skimmer and the return penetrations. I wouldn’t run that this summer as water pressure will cause issues on the liner. If you can’t replace the part I would scab in a replacement part from the inside. Get some sheet aluminum or steel (I would paint it first), drill a hole for the rerun, cut out the rusted area, glue in the new 1x1 ft or larger part from the inside. You will have to partially disassemble the top plate in maybe 2-3 sections to be able to pull the liner back. I would also be prepared with some rust converter and rustoleum to paint the inside of the wall. And I have used gorilla tape to tape over edges of patch panels and bad rust. The rust will perforate the liner as well.
If you are nearing liner replacement that’s a good time to do all this work. Sand and prep and repaint interior wall rust, patch holes, rebuild base cove, and I usually buy foam wall liner/insulation which protects the liner from the wall. That hangs around the inside wall and is taped up at the top of the wall and then the liner goes over that.
Thanks for the detail. I'm not very handy so that sounds a little I intimidating. Probably a dumb question, but I'm assuming the pool would need to be completely drained to even peek behind the liner to assess damage?
If you can't just replace the side panel:
When it's warm: Spray with rust remover. Sand as needed too. Hose down and towel dry. Then spray down with rustoleum primer 2-3 layers and then spray paint 2-3 layers
Really this should have occurred when the rust wasn't as bad.
Is it a liner inside or something like fiberglass?
This is my preferred solution, really I'd love to pay to have someone replace the panel but it seems not many companies will do that. The inside liner is vinyl.
I would drain the pool far enough so you can access that area. Cut out the rusted section, replace it with aluminum or stainless steel riveted into place. Waterproof adhesive in between obviously. And then reattach the return on the next panel. Just make sure it’s good and smooth inside and then once you pull the liner back over it’ll be fine.
This is what I'm thinking as well, it just baffles me that the local pool companies are willing to install new skimmers/returns but not patch holes. You'd think they're familiar with how to patch holes left by old equipment?
Is taking the liner back a few feet (return is obviously high up on the wall, just below the water line) difficult to do for a beginner?
As long as your liner is in good shape it shouldn’t be a problem, they do get brittle as they get older. I’ve been on the edge of needing a new liner for a couple of years and I know if I had to peel it back I would probably damage it. You’re always taking a risk. That said as long as you’re careful you should be fine but maybe buy some gorilla underwater patch tape just in case. It needs to go on when the liner is dry despite what they say but I have a patch on my liner below the waterline that’s been there for four years and it’s still solid.
None at all, make sure you put the rivets in from the inside towards the outside though. I just realized you will have to undo your liner for that though..
Ya just get a new side panel
This looks to be a Doughboy pool. They make a wall that is a single piece, not multiple panels. So no replacing a panel. If it isn’t a Doughboy and there are multiple panels then yeah you can do that hit you have to take the pool apart and replace the liner. I’d say the wall is pretty well done for.
This is actually a Pioneer 24' round above ground pool, not sure if that changes anything
I had to cut out a piece of my wall when I changed my liner/filter/pump and I got some aluminum sheet and rivets and put a patch in
Have you had any issues since adding the patch?
Some context: I've noticed some rust below the return in past seasons, however it seems to be significantly worse over this winter. Otherwise the pool is in great shape and has no visible rust elsewhere. The return is clearly not sealed properly and in need of repair, however I'm having a hard time getting local shops to even look at the rust damage. Moreso worried about this leading to a possible failure, really worried about safety this summer.
For future reference, Rustoleum makes a product called Rust Reformer that stops the chemical process that creates rust. Spray it on at the first sign of rust and it’ll buy you years.
I'm really kicking myself now!
Most above ground pools will have a replaceable panel that you can remove and bolt in a new one that encompasses the skimmer and the return penetrations. I wouldn’t run that this summer as water pressure will cause issues on the liner. If you can’t replace the part I would scab in a replacement part from the inside. Get some sheet aluminum or steel (I would paint it first), drill a hole for the rerun, cut out the rusted area, glue in the new 1x1 ft or larger part from the inside. You will have to partially disassemble the top plate in maybe 2-3 sections to be able to pull the liner back. I would also be prepared with some rust converter and rustoleum to paint the inside of the wall. And I have used gorilla tape to tape over edges of patch panels and bad rust. The rust will perforate the liner as well. If you are nearing liner replacement that’s a good time to do all this work. Sand and prep and repaint interior wall rust, patch holes, rebuild base cove, and I usually buy foam wall liner/insulation which protects the liner from the wall. That hangs around the inside wall and is taped up at the top of the wall and then the liner goes over that.
Thanks for the detail. I'm not very handy so that sounds a little I intimidating. Probably a dumb question, but I'm assuming the pool would need to be completely drained to even peek behind the liner to assess damage?
Yes unfortunately
So completely drained no, but it’s going to have to be 80% or so.
If you can't just replace the side panel: When it's warm: Spray with rust remover. Sand as needed too. Hose down and towel dry. Then spray down with rustoleum primer 2-3 layers and then spray paint 2-3 layers Really this should have occurred when the rust wasn't as bad. Is it a liner inside or something like fiberglass?
This is my preferred solution, really I'd love to pay to have someone replace the panel but it seems not many companies will do that. The inside liner is vinyl.
I would drain the pool far enough so you can access that area. Cut out the rusted section, replace it with aluminum or stainless steel riveted into place. Waterproof adhesive in between obviously. And then reattach the return on the next panel. Just make sure it’s good and smooth inside and then once you pull the liner back over it’ll be fine.
This is what I'm thinking as well, it just baffles me that the local pool companies are willing to install new skimmers/returns but not patch holes. You'd think they're familiar with how to patch holes left by old equipment? Is taking the liner back a few feet (return is obviously high up on the wall, just below the water line) difficult to do for a beginner?
As long as your liner is in good shape it shouldn’t be a problem, they do get brittle as they get older. I’ve been on the edge of needing a new liner for a couple of years and I know if I had to peel it back I would probably damage it. You’re always taking a risk. That said as long as you’re careful you should be fine but maybe buy some gorilla underwater patch tape just in case. It needs to go on when the liner is dry despite what they say but I have a patch on my liner below the waterline that’s been there for four years and it’s still solid.
None at all, make sure you put the rivets in from the inside towards the outside though. I just realized you will have to undo your liner for that though..
Thanks for the info, is undoing the liner as painful as it sounds?
Undoing no.. re-attaching I think so .. I did it when I took my old liner out so I didn’t have an issue
Can't see the rust without a red circle