Pool liner replacement removes your old vinyl liner, repairs the floor and walls underneath, and installs a new custom-cut liner. In Ontario it usually costs $4,000 to $9,000 for an inground pool and $1,200 to $2,800 for an above ground pool. Limitless Pools measures for free across Kingston, Napanee and Quinte and quotes a fixed installed price.
Signs your pool liner needs replacing
Replace a vinyl pool liner when it leaks in more than one place, has pulled out of its track, has wrinkles that stay once the water warms, or has gone brittle at the steps and corners. Heavy fading alone is cosmetic. Most Ontario liners reach this point after 8 to 12 years.
| What you see | What it usually means | Repair or replace? |
|---|---|---|
| Water loss above a few millimetres a day | Leak in the liner or at a fitting | Run a bucket test first; one hole can be patched |
| Liner pulled out of the track | Shrunk with age, or water was left too low | Sometimes re-seated once; often a sign to replace |
| Wrinkles that don't relax | Groundwater shifted the liner, or it was set poorly | Replace if it is a trip hazard or folding over |
| Brittle, cracking vinyl | End of life, often from low pH or sun | Replace |
| Faded pattern | Sun and chlorine over time | Cosmetic; replace when it suits you |
Recent liner replacements
How much does pool liner replacement cost?
Inground vinyl liner replacement in Ontario usually costs about $4,000 to $9,000 installed, depending on pool size, shape, steps and thickness. HomeStars' August 2026 Ontario guide puts a typical job at $4,500 to $6,500. Above ground liners usually cost $1,200 to $2,800. Use the estimate below, then book a free measure for a fixed price.
Liner replacement planning estimate
A planning range for supply and install before HST, based on published Eastern Ontario prices in 2025 and 2026. It is not a quote. Your measured quote is a fixed price, and water delivery or floor and wall repair is listed separately if needed.
Every cost factor, including water delivery and floor repairs, is broken down in our pool liner replacement cost guide. Source for the Ontario range: HomeStars' Ontario inground pool cost guide.
Liner thickness: 20 mil, 27 mil or 30 mil?
A 20 mil liner is the standard for inground pools and suits most backyards. A 27 or 30 mil liner resists punctures, stretching and fading better, which pays off with dogs, trees, heavy use or a pool you plan to keep 10 years or more. Above ground liners are sold in gauge, which is not the same as mil.
| Thickness | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| 20 mil | Most inground pools, standard use | Lowest cost, most pattern choice |
| 27 to 28 mil | Dogs, kids, trees overhead, long ownership | Costs more; slightly fewer patterns |
| 30 mil | Heavy use, rough floors, steps and benches | Highest cost; stiffer to install in cold weather |
| Above ground (gauge) | Round and oval pools | Gauge has no fixed standard, so compare mil where listed |
See every option, and try patterns on a pool drawing, in our liner patterns and thickness guide.
Choose your liner pattern
Try a liner look on your pool
Mid blue diffusion floor with a classic tile border. A common choice under Ontario maples.
These are sample styles to help you choose a direction. We bring real samples from current pattern books to your free measure.
What a Limitless liner replacement includes
- Free measure and leak check. We measure the walls, floor slope, steps and corners, and check for leaks so the new liner doesn't inherit an old problem.
- Fixed written quote. Liner, thickness, pattern, labour and any repairs we can already see, with the price before HST.
- Custom order. Liners are cut to your measurements, so allow a few weeks between measure and install.
- Drain and remove. We check the groundwater first, then drain, cut out the old liner and inspect the floor and walls.
- Repair what's underneath. Floor patches, wall rust and any foam padding are handled as quoted. Anything new we find is priced before we fix it.
- Install and set. New gaskets at every fitting, the liner set with a vacuum so it sits tight, then filling begins.
- Reconnect and balance. Faceplates, skimmer and returns reconnected, the system started, and the first water balance done.
One of our inground liner jobs, from setting the vinyl to a full pool.
When is the best time to replace a pool liner?
Early fall and late spring are the best times in Eastern Ontario. The ground is dry, groundwater is lower than in April, and vinyl is warm enough to stretch properly. A fall liner can be filled and closed for the winter; a spring liner is ready for the season. Measuring in winter gets you the first spring dates.
Fall liner jobs pair well with a pool closing, and spring jobs with a pool opening.
Liner replacement near you
| Area | Local details |
|---|---|
| Kingston | Limestone and clay soils; groundwater check before draining |
| Napanee and Greater Napanee | Our home base; well-water fills and iron staining |
| Belleville and Quinte West | Scheduled route days; municipal water fills |
| Prince Edward County and Gananoque | Cottage pools; water delivery planned ahead |
Have an above ground pool? See above ground pool liner replacement.
Questions about pool liner replacement
How long does a pool liner last in Ontario?
Most vinyl liners last 8 to 12 years in Ontario; HomeStars quotes 7 to 10. Balanced water, keeping the water level up over winter and a good cover stretch that. Low pH and sun shorten it.
How much does it cost to replace an inground pool liner?
Usually about $4,000 to $9,000 installed in Ontario, depending on size, shape, steps and thickness. A 16 x 32 ft rectangle with a standard 20 mil liner sits near the lower middle of that range.
Can a pool liner be replaced with water in the pool?
No. The pool is drained so the floor and walls can be inspected and repaired, and the new liner can be set with a vacuum. We check groundwater before draining.
How long does liner replacement take?
One to two days on site for most inground pools, plus filling time. Ordering the custom liner takes a few weeks after the measure.
Is 27 or 30 mil worth it?
If you have dogs, trees overhead or plan to keep the pool 10 years or more, a thicker liner usually pays for itself in fewer repairs. For light use, 20 mil is fine.
Can you match my old pattern?
Often, if the pattern is still made. Otherwise we bring current samples to your measure.
Do you replace above ground liners?
Yes. Overlap, beaded and J-hook liners for round and oval pools. See our above ground liner page.
Last updated by the Limitless Pools service team. Questions? Contact us.
