Pool Slave
06-17-2012, 09:52 AM
Hello everyone! I just joined this board because, obviously, I need guidance concerning a pool issue. (Really?) ;)
Here's the situation:
We purchased this place 7 years ago, with in ground pool 16x34, about 30 years old I've been told, steel walls, had the liner replaced last week by professionals. I'm a retired IT professional and there was no way I would touch that part! After starting the pool and letting it run for a couple of days, I asked the company to send someone to perform some line pressure tests. Turns out that I had a leak, so I believed, on one of the return lines. After digging one side of the split, I noticed that the area around the outlet was wet, all sand. So, I continued digging toward the other outlet and found the Tee splitter was leaking from all 3 connections: black poly using barb connectors. The sand was all wet and all the screws on the stainless steel clamps were rusted solid. During the dig, I also found another black poly connection just before the second return. Don't know why that was done, It's like someone ran out of pipe and added another section to complete the run. Also, that black poly was not installed leveled or sloping toward the returns. The bloody pipes are routed around the pool, going up and down causing air lock I guess it is called. One place, they even used a section of flex hose to go around a concrete pad (for the diving board), using barb connectors. This would explain the problems I have been having in winterizing the pool.
After talking to some people and doing internet research, it appears that using schedule 40 (or 80) is the way to go now. Looking at many pool installations on the net, that is was I found out too. I guess using black poly was the way to go 20-30 years ago. So, I decided to remove all that black poly and re-do my plumbing with schedule 40 pipes.
NOTE: I live in an area where there is sand everywhere, so the pipes will be laying on sand and be covered with sand.
So, with this background info, my question now is:
Is there a way that I can replace the 2 return outlet assemblies without damaging my brand new liner? Or should I get the company guys come back and do it for me? I don't want to void the warranty on my liner or, worse, damage it. It already has cost me a mint to get it replaced.
Oh yeah, I chose "Pool Slave" because my dear wife is the swimming addict in the house! :) I don't use it as much as she does, because I am too busy filling my free time with work around the house...that she has on the hunny-do list. :D
Thanks for your time and counsel folks! Love this site!!
Here's the situation:
We purchased this place 7 years ago, with in ground pool 16x34, about 30 years old I've been told, steel walls, had the liner replaced last week by professionals. I'm a retired IT professional and there was no way I would touch that part! After starting the pool and letting it run for a couple of days, I asked the company to send someone to perform some line pressure tests. Turns out that I had a leak, so I believed, on one of the return lines. After digging one side of the split, I noticed that the area around the outlet was wet, all sand. So, I continued digging toward the other outlet and found the Tee splitter was leaking from all 3 connections: black poly using barb connectors. The sand was all wet and all the screws on the stainless steel clamps were rusted solid. During the dig, I also found another black poly connection just before the second return. Don't know why that was done, It's like someone ran out of pipe and added another section to complete the run. Also, that black poly was not installed leveled or sloping toward the returns. The bloody pipes are routed around the pool, going up and down causing air lock I guess it is called. One place, they even used a section of flex hose to go around a concrete pad (for the diving board), using barb connectors. This would explain the problems I have been having in winterizing the pool.
After talking to some people and doing internet research, it appears that using schedule 40 (or 80) is the way to go now. Looking at many pool installations on the net, that is was I found out too. I guess using black poly was the way to go 20-30 years ago. So, I decided to remove all that black poly and re-do my plumbing with schedule 40 pipes.
NOTE: I live in an area where there is sand everywhere, so the pipes will be laying on sand and be covered with sand.
So, with this background info, my question now is:
Is there a way that I can replace the 2 return outlet assemblies without damaging my brand new liner? Or should I get the company guys come back and do it for me? I don't want to void the warranty on my liner or, worse, damage it. It already has cost me a mint to get it replaced.
Oh yeah, I chose "Pool Slave" because my dear wife is the swimming addict in the house! :) I don't use it as much as she does, because I am too busy filling my free time with work around the house...that she has on the hunny-do list. :D
Thanks for your time and counsel folks! Love this site!!