Connecting Pool Fill Line to Sprinkler System

[joelq]

We're having our pool built right now (they're doing Tile & Coping as I type this, and are on their 2nd day of stonework - MAN, that's hard work!), and they will soon be doing the decking, which means they will be re-routing my underground sprinkler system soon.

We didn't pay for the PB to attach a sprinkler system zone to the pool's fill line. Right now, the PB is planning to attach the fill line to a spigot, and has actually plumbed the fill line into the gunite. I was wondering if I could do the plumbing to attach the fill line directly to my sprinkler system myself. The folks that did our original sprinkler system used 13-strand sprinkler wire, and two of the strands are currently unused, which should mean I have room for two additional zones (the controller will have to be upgraded as all its zones are in use already.)

My question has to do with the plumbing - do I just have to run PVC from the water supply line to an inline sprinkler valve, then from the valve directly to the pool fill line? Is there anything that needs to go in between? Also, can I connect both the sprinkler supply line as well as the spigot (which the PB is connecting) to the pool fill line? I figure once it's time to fill the pool, this would allow me to get more water into the pool quicker.

Any suggestions welcome!

[rmeden]

Yes, to add add water via your sprinkler system, just add a valve and link it to the pool fill line. That's what I have, and it works great. Even if I'm not doing it automatically, it's nice to be able to add "an hour" (1.5 inches) of water to the pool. (I use a separate "program" for the pool fill on the sprinkler controller)

I'm not sure why your PB won't do this at no charge... espeically if they are already tearing up and fixing the sprinkler system. I would think it's easier/cheaper than the spigot method.

If you have a "T" going to the spigot, what happens when the sprinkler system fill is running? You may need a check valve. I don't see the need... if you sprinkler fill is out of service, just use a hose.

Robert

[y0manda]

heh he's going to hook up a seperate sprinkler valve to fill your pool?
Mine and most of the people that had it installed was a seperate unit that has a float that releases the water once the float drops a little, kinda like the float in the back of your toilet tank.

http://www.poolandspa.com/catalog/pr...0817000017.cfm

[rmeden]

never thought of that.. I could have used it instead of the sprinkler valve (or in conjunction.. to avoid a run-away fill).

[Davenj]

I had the unit y0manda referenced when our pool was installed. Talked to the installation crew, they installed it in the pool wall (vinyl) for nothing. I then plumbed it the house water supply before backfill. We also ran the overflow line from it. Works very well. I turn it off a couple of times just to make sure I'm not losing any water (leaks). Paranoid!

[joelq]

I actually purposely did not want an auto-fill installed specifically for the reason that I wouldn't notice a pool leak until I saw a huge water bill.

I think the "sprinkler fill" works best for me as I can just program in a set number of minutes each week. Also, here in Frisco, TX, we've got water restrictions this Summer in which we're allowed to fill the pool and water the lawn only one day a week (although I'm not sure how they would know if I was filling on an off day! ) The City has been shutting people's sprinkler systems at the curb if they are caught watering their lawns on an off day.

[Davenj]

It's pretty easy to tell when the autofill is running. I can hear it in the house, water running. At the pool you can see the cold water entering the pool. The kids let me know also, cold water!

[capecoraldipper]

If you don't have a fill line plumbed in can you just "y" into one of the returns? I'm thinking just use a check vavle to hold back the pool water from the sprinkler line.

[rmeden]

I don't see any harm in that... as long as you have the check valve.