Niche In Inground Pool With Vinyl Liner

[jackiemc08]

We have a pool built in 1976. The pool was leaking a considerable amount of water and we thought it was the liner, which was fairly new. The liner was a problem as it was installed incorrectly around the light, but we discovered the major leak was around the old light itself. My husband took the fixture out and we took it to multiple dealers, who were unable to find anything that would fit in our current niche. We also discovered that the electrical system is not up to code. There is no ground of GCFI (EEK!!)

We had 3 different pool contractors out last summer to give us a quote for a new liner, niche replacement, and repair. NONE of them gave us a quote to replace the niche. My husband has removed the niche. I guess now we need to have wiring run and install. Since we can't find anyone to help us, does anyone have any instructions on how we may install this? My husband is able to work on this. We also have a friend who is a bricklayer/mason. Help!!

[drandolph]

Are you just trying to pull in a brand new light ? if it was built in 1976 then yes you would have to install a whole new light if you already pulled out the wire from the existing light then you will have to snake the new wire for the new light back in. if the existing wire is still there then you can just tape it together with electrical tape and pull it through with the old wire lots of times if its that old It may not want to pull through very easy I'd suggest having a pool professional do it because electricity and water are very dangerous please make sure while attempting this all breakers are off

[Sunnyside]

I have replaced many vinyl liners and have come across many unique situations. It's sometimes hard to offer sound advice when I'm not looking directly at the pool but here's what I think:

Your old niche is useless to you because you can't find the type of light that will fit in it. There's also a good chance that with the water loss, your wall panel is rusted (most vinyl liners are installed over galvanized steel walls).

Remove the liner and repair the rust damage (if any). Now measure the diameter of the hole and condemn it with a round disc 1/16th thick (preferable something stainless steel). We found some really good stuff at the dollar store (randomly) that we were able to use (kids round magnet board). Screw it into the pool wall use metal screws with a pan head. Any good hardware store would have some variation of what you need. You could even patch over the old hole with a new piece of metal with a hole cut out.

Now you don't have to install a new light but if you do... you can simply dig a hole and cut a new hole of the correct size into a new location. A pool company should easily be able to do this. Dig a new trench for the electrical (get an electrician if you're not comfortable).

Anyhow, like I said... too many unknown variables. Perhaps attach a few pictures of your setup?

Bruce