Patch it underwater — no draining needed

Yes, you can fix a small vinyl liner leak without draining the pool.

Grab an underwater vinyl liner patch kit — they come with a special glue that cures even when submerged. You don’t need to drain anything. Just locate the leak (a little food coloring or leak dye helps), clean the area with a pool scrubber or your fingers, cut a patch that overlaps the hole by at least an inch on all sides, apply the glue to both the patch and the liner, press it on, and hold for about 30 seconds. Let it cure for 24 hours before running the pump.

I’ve done this more than once. It works for punctures up to about the size of a dime. If the leak is at a seam, a fitting, or larger than a quarter, you’re probably better off draining and doing a proper weld. But for a random hole from a falling branch or a dog’s nail? Underwater patch kit, ten minutes, fixed.

Just don’t rush the cure time. Future You will thank you.