Pool Contractor Blames Installation Errors, Not Vandals

The contractor hired to renovate the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has blamed errors in the repair work for the failure of the pool’s new blue liner, according to a report reviewed by The New York Times.

Atlantic Industrial Coatings said that mistakes during installation led to sections of the liner peeling and blistering. It pointed to inadequate application of primer in some areas and said two materials used for the liner were not compatible, the documents reviewed by the newspaper showed.

Findings Cited On Liner Peeling

Atlantic Industrial Coatings said one of the materials became too hot for the layer beneath it during installation. The company said that overheating caused parts of the liner to bubble, then loosen.

The report described the problems as the result of an oversight during the repair rather than damage from outside forces.

Work Continues Under Warranty

Atlantic is now repairing the pool, which remains drained while the work is carried out. The company said the repairs are covered under warranty.

The liner failure and subsequent dispute emerged months after the Trump administration awarded Atlantic a $14.7 million no-bid contract to renovate the pool ahead of July 4 celebrations marking the country’s 250th anniversary.

Vandalism Claims Versus Installation Errors

The contractor’s account contrasts with claims made by President Donald Trump, who repeatedly blamed vandals for damage to the liner. Trump has said people used knives or other sharp objects to cut the liner.

Federal prosecutors initially brought vandalism charges against Olympic canoeist David Hearn and others accused of damaging the liner. The Department of Justice (DOJ) dropped the cases in July after documents showed the damage occurred during installation.

In acknowledging that some contractor error had played a role, Trump also maintained that vandalism had occurred.

Damage Found Elsewhere, Company Says

Atlantic Industrial Coatings did find cuts to caulking around the edge of the pool that the company attributed to vandalism, The Times reported. However, it said it did not connect those edge cuts to the peeling and blistering of the liner covering the bottom of the pool.

The contractor’s report therefore distinguishes between damage at the pool’s edge and the broader liner failure, which it attributes to problems with materials and workmanship during the renovation.

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12 September 2026