Broken Pipe Repair

[Reese]

I'm a new member with an in-ground pool that has a cracked/broken return pipe.

I have 4 returns but of course the one that is cracked in under the longest section of decking.

I there a way to repair a pipe without deck removal? Is there some kine of thin wall pvc or similar pipe that can be used as a sleeve?

Really hesitant in removing deck.

[Watermom]

I'm not the resident plumber around here, so I'll let someone else answer your question. I just wanted to say hello and welcome you to the forum!

[PoolDoc]

The methods I'm aware of for putting an insert into a pipe are for larger pipes than residential pool pipes . . . and would cost more than cutting your deck. That's not to say that there's not something new I'm unfamiliar with.

However there's another issue. When pool pipes fail it's most often:
1. at a joint
2. where a rock or something similar has rubbed through the pipe
3. where the pipe has been frozen with water inside
4. where the pipe is of material -- like black poly with insert fittings, or flex PVC -- that should never have been used in the first place.

An internal repair won't help with #1 or #4 above, and may not help with #3

[Reese]

There are thin wall linings that are used in sewer pipes and I was hoping there was something for 1.5" pvc....but I could be mistaken.

It doesn't look like there are easy fixes but I'll try and find the least painful solution...

thx.

[BigDave]

I've see two methods for rehabilitating pipline in place. Insituform (trade name) in which an expanable elastic lining is blown into an existine pipline and cured in place. The other was to drag a "Pig" through an aging pipline that would break the old pipe in place and pull a new continuous pipe through the broken old pipe. These methods are at the industrial / municapal scale and not suited for pool piping. They are both "spend millions to save tens of millions" types of ventures.

Dig we must.

Or cut / cap that return line until you're ready to cut the deck.

[Reese]

I have seen video of inflatable liner on a sewer pipe but it only looks viable for industrial application/cost.

I think cut n cap can work as I have three other intakes.

Thanks for all the suggestions.