Question 1

Do I have to drain the pool for a vinyl liner repair?

Accepted Answer

No — for the majority of vinyl liner repairs, we work in the water. Underwater patching, dye testing, and most seam repairs are all done without draining. We use commercial-grade adhesive and patch material rated for continuous submersion. A partial drain (not a full drain — an empty vinyl liner can shrink and crack within hours) may be needed for structural corner repairs. We'll tell you exactly what's needed before any work begins.

Question 2

How long does a professional vinyl patch last?

Accepted Answer

A properly applied professional patch should last the life of the liner, and we back our work with a 1-year warranty. The key difference from a store-bought kit is the adhesive and surface prep: we use a heavy-duty commercial adhesive — a solvent-based formula made to bond vinyl wet, dry, or fully underwater — which softens and fuses the patch to the liner for a true bond, not just surface contact. Consumer patch kits rely on pressure-sensitive adhesive that peels at the edges within a season or two.

Question 3

Can you repair a vinyl liner underwater without draining?

Accepted Answer

Yes — underwater patching is our main repair. We use a commercial-grade adhesive formulated to bond vinyl underwater, apply a correctly sized and trimmed patch, and hold it firmly in place for about a minute to press out air and form the bond, though we prefer a calm surface. The patch is set and hold-ready before we leave, and reaches full strength within about a day.

Question 4

What does the $190/hr rate actually cover?

Accepted Answer

The hourly rate covers everything — all on-site labor AND parts/materials. That includes travel to the repair area, leak diagnosis (including dye testing if needed), surface prep, patch application, holding the patch firmly until it sets, a final water test, and cleanup. We bring all tools, adhesive, and patch material in our kit. There is no separate parts bill; nothing is charged outside the flat hourly rate. We also partner with pool suppliers to source matching vinyl when we can, so the patch often blends into your existing liner color and pattern.

Question 5

What areas do you serve?

Accepted Answer

We're based in Hickory, NC and serve roughly a 40-mile radius — including Conover, Newton, Claremont, Hildebran, and Granite Falls, plus the surrounding Catawba Valley. Not sure if you're in range? Contact us and we'll let you know honestly. We don't charge a trip fee within our service area — the clock starts when the work starts.

Question 6

How does booking work?

Accepted Answer

You can book online through our booking form — choose a time that works and describe what you're seeing (tear, slow leak, water loss, loose liner, etc.). We'll confirm the appointment and show up ready to diagnose and repair in the same visit when possible. You can also call us directly at (704) 325-2140 during business hours (Mon–Sat 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM · Sun 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM).

Question 7

Do you replace liners, or only repair them?

Accepted Answer

We specialize in repairs only — no liner replacements. Vinyl liner replacement is a larger scope of work involving excavation, installation, and water-fill logistics that falls outside our focused repair service. If your liner is beyond repair (extremely brittle, widespread pattern failure, or major structural damage), we'll tell you honestly and can refer you to a reputable installer in the area.

Question 8

Do you work on concrete or fiberglass pools?

Accepted Answer

No. We work exclusively on vinyl liner pools. Concrete (gunite/plaster) and fiberglass pools require different repair materials and techniques — a specialist in those surfaces will do better work than we would. We keep vinyl as our only focus so we can be genuinely expert at it.

Question 9

Is there a minimum charge?

Accepted Answer

Yes — there is a 1-hour minimum for all on-site visits. That minimum covers the first hour of labor regardless of whether the repair takes 20 minutes or the full hour. Most straightforward vinyl patches are completed within the minimum. If a job runs longer, we bill in 15-minute increments beyond the first hour.

Question 10

Do you repair both in-ground and above-ground vinyl pools?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we repair vinyl liners on both in-ground and above-ground pools throughout our Catawba Valley service area. The approach is the same: we find the problem, clean and prep the area, and bond a matching patch underwater whenever possible.

Question 11

How do you find a pool leak?

Accepted Answer

We start with pressure testing to check the plumbing lines first — if the leak is in the plumbing, there's no sense hunting for holes in the liner. From there we use electronic leak detection equipment to trace water escaping through the liner or shell, a close visual, eyes-on inspection of the likely trouble spots — seams, fittings, and corners — and dye testing to pinpoint exactly where water is moving. Combining these methods in that order lets us confirm the real source before we repair it, so we fix the actual leak and not just the obvious-looking spot.

Question 12

Will the patch match my existing liner?

Accepted Answer

Often, yes. We partner with pool suppliers to source matching vinyl, so we can often match your liner's pattern and color rather than leaving an obvious patch. Exact matches depend on the liner's age and pattern (older patterns fade or get discontinued), but blending the repair in is always our goal.

Vinyl Pool Repair FAQ — Hickory, NC

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