So sad, a leak in my just finished pool ...???

[MarkC]

Now that I think of it I can't shut off my returns either. My bad.

[waste]

ValAZ, posted below is the response I tried to send you to a private message you sent me.


Just had my IG pool done a week ago, and there's a leak in one of the return lines.

First question: do you know of any reason why a shotcrete sub would need to cut the caps off of the lines which are under pressure? Mine did - and now that I've got this leak, I suspect they did to cover up that they punctured or cracked a line.

Second question: I am concerned about running the pump and water getting behind the tiles and down into the plaster, which is 7 days old. Would this cause damage? I am not running it, and it is going to be 4 - 7 days before I get all of this fixed. In the meantime, I am brushing the pool even though it's not getting filtered.

Valerie[/QUOTE]

Valerie, I'm never too busy to help the members of the poolforum - it's the least I can do as repayment for all that I've learned. Unfortunately, I have zero experience with the 'cut the pipes after the shell is shot' school of plumbing which is why I didn't coment when I saw your post on the forum. I see you plan on doing a little digging this weekend - a good idea because whoever fixes the leak will probably be charging you 'time and materials' and the digging will take the most time. If you discover the source of the leak and think you might want to tackle it yourself, I and others from the forum will gladly walk you through the process.
As for running ther filter, I think you're best off not running until the leak is fixed, lest you etch the new plaster (it needs to be kept wet, but doesn't like direct pressure while it's curing). Keep up with the brushing, unfortunately you can't filter out the liberated 'stuff'. As an idea, I don't know how feasable it would be for you, some pool service companies (and hotels with pools) have portable vacuums (pump and filter on a hand truck)- might it be possible to get a service company out to do one vacuuming with one of these(or rent a hotel's unit for the afternoon)? - Just a thought
Anyway, thanks for the confidence in me - sorry I couldn't live up to it ;(
- Ted A/K/A: Waste

[ValAZ]

We dug as far back as we could, but the deck there is 4 feet wide and we are just not going to be able to get to it. We'll have to knock out a section of the deck and then see what we've got. Boo hoo - temps are in the 80's now and we want to swim! The deck sub said they'll cover it if it looks like they did it, and told me to backcharge the shotcrete sub if it looks like their mistake. Just hate it when you get that *odd* feeling about something, don't act on it, and then later find out you should have, ya know? I should have capped those pipes back up under pressure again ... I'll know on the next pool! = /

[waste]

Val, it's not your fault! Don't flog yourself over it. Are you sure you can't dig it out yourself? It's your pool and you came here to not have to rely on the pool companies. If you can't do it, please post what they propose, I'm still trying to save you a few $.

[ValAZ]

My 6'2" son had half his body under the deck ... still haven't hit the pipes yet. I opened one of the returns closest to get some water in the pipes to see if he could trace the leak and found a sliver of cracked pipe and a small chunk of gunite. Grrr.

The deck sub called and said to hammer out the 4'x5' section of deck and then replace it woud be $800. More than I thought, but he said it was only materials and labor, no profit?

I'm not sure just how much dirt we can remove from under this chunk of concrete before we'll be endangering someone's life.

[waste]

Valerie, you are on the right track, you've found the pipe AND the cracked section. Keep excavating around the pipe to determine the extent of the damage (letting a little water into the pipe was a very good idea) As long as you keep the excavation down to ~2' wide, you shouldn't have to worry about the deck comming down on you (or your son). It seems to me that you are on the edge of solving this problem yourself (though, whoever is responsible for the broken line in the first place should be doing the work). Please keep us informed as to the progress

- Waste

[KurtV]

Val, We had to go about 5 feet under the deck/steps and it wasn't a problem. I vote that you keep digging (especially since I'm not doing the digging).

You can hire a leak detection company to pinpoint the leak; that might save you some effort. They'll use sound detection equipment and seem to be generally well regarded. Look up American leak detection in your local phone book (they're a franchise type outfit and about the only game in town as I understand it).

Here's a picture of our tunnel:

[ValAZ]

the pool light conduit and the return pipe. Got at least a nice 4" crack in the pipe.

So I guess the battle begins. I KNOW the owner of this company is just going to go ballistic on me when I call him to get him to cover this. Trouble is, I want MY plumber and MY decking sub to fix this. I don't think that's unreasonable, right?

Any advice on how to handle this when I call in the a.m. would be appreciated.

Val

[duraleigh]

Hi, Val,

In 27 years of business, I ended up coming back to these two ideas when I had to resolve a sticky issue (and try to keep the lawyers out):

1. Put yourself on the other side of the argument. Listen to your words from the opponent's side. Are you asking for something reasonable?

2. Financial leverage is always the King in any negotiation...do you have any?


Dave S.

[stever13]

the pool light conduit and the return pipe. Got at least a nice 4" crack in the pipe.

So I guess the battle begins. I KNOW the owner of this company is just going to go ballistic on me when I call him to get him to cover this. Trouble is, I want MY plumber and MY decking sub to fix this. I don't think that's unreasonable, right?

Any advice on how to handle this when I call in the a.m. would be appreciated.

Val

How did shotcrete rebar get between the conduit and the return? Seem odd if the rebar was (or should have been) there first. Oh well s#$t happens. I had a pipe leak near the completion on my pool when my clean up crew drove their tractor over the pipes. Luckily is was not under a deck. My plumber fixed it no charge. It was an easy fix and I could have done it myself.

If I were you, see if your plumber will take care of it no charge. If not, fix it yourself. Work a deal with your deck sub and tell him you will use him for a later project on your home or reccomend him to neighbors and tell him to do the job for a much more reasonable amount. I only paid $4.50 a square foot for my deck with acrylic topping. Good luck. You still made out big time as owner/builder. I know I did.