New here - In ground pool return replacement

[Pool Slave]

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.

Thanks for your time and counsel folks! Love this site!!

[Watermom]

Hi PoolSlave and welcome to the Pool Forum! I had to chuckle when I read your reason for choosing your username.

I'm going to let some of our equipment people answer your plumbing questions but just wanted to pop in here and say hello and let you know that your post had been read. It may be kinda slow around here today since its father's day, so sit tight until someone comes around who may be able to help.

[Pool Slave]

Hi! Thanks for letting me in. Yeah, I'm the pool slave here.... The pool has to be clean and in running conditions as much as possible and the water has to be crystal clear all the time, the season is short enough as it is. Or else I'm in deep trouble with She-Who-Must-be-Obeyed!!

[Watermom]

Or else I'm in deep trouble with She-Who-Must-be-Obeyed!!

What? Your wife is my twin sister? (Says the mom of 3 boys who is also She-Who-Must-be-Obeyed!)

I think I'm gonna enjoy having you around here. I like your attitude!

[Pool Slave]

Hehehe, I think there are a few She-Who-Must-be-Obeyed around the world. Life is too short to be taken too seriously, beside, I have a 3 year old (going on 16) that carries more weight here than the big boss, than keeps me young. I almost know, by heart, all the Dora, Diego, Thomas the train and Backyardigans video in the house!! LOL

Hoping to bump this up so someone gives me an opinion.

[PoolDoc]

I'll ask Waste to look, if he has a chance -- he's done about 100 times more liners than I have. BUT . . . to just get those returns, I'd get them to do it. You can get the digging down down, and expose the piping on the back sides, but let them remove and replace the returns.

That way, there's no question about the warranty 3 years from now. (Hopefully, you won't need it, though.)

[waste]

Welcome to The Forum!

IF you are sure that the 'through the wall fittings' are shot - your liner is new enough to replace them, after draining the pool~3" below them.

If it's a black poly pipe connection issue, that can be dealt with, without lowering the pool.

[Pool Slave]

Thanks for your responses gents. Indeed, it is the 2 outlets that are leaking on the outside of the pool wall. All the screws are rusted and, after being exposed for a few days, the area around and below the outlets are always wet. This was in addition to a leaking Tee connection, all 3 connections were leaking and all the screws were rusted solid, almost like welded by rust. I fixed that but, after re-assessing the whole pipe work around the pool, mostly black poly, I decided to replace everything and do it correctly. The black poly was going up and down along the pool, air locks a plenty, which explains why I always had issues in winterizing the pool and clearing the water lines.

The technicians are coming over tomorrow morning to replace the 2 outlets. The chap I talked to yesterday does not like the idea of having schedule 40 hard pipe connected directly to the outlets. He favours the flexible PVC connection, mainly because, here in Ontario, it gets very cold in winter and he's concerned that the sand movements, freezing and thawing, will eventually break the connectors. They have done hundreds of pool installations around the Ottawa area, so I will trust his recommendations, but I will still install the rigid sched 40 pipes for the rest, which will be buried at 18 inches below the surface. I do need to have that slope toward the returns for proper drainage in the fall.

I could post some before/after pictures if anyone is interested.

The final digging spree will be done today as I drain the pool. It's going to be hard work as they forecast a temperature of 34C today. Ugh...

Any other tips/suggestions for the piping installation?

Thanks folks, I appreciate your assistance!

Pool Slave