Aboutroger Expertise Any questions regarding pool,spa pumps and motors. Any pool and spa operations, problems, chemistry and maintenance. Filters, Heaters, Cleaners,Salt Water Systems. Also consider solar power to heat your home, spa and pool using the power of the sun.
Experience Over 8 years as a field service technician in pools over 40 years as an electronic field service technician in process control and metrology (precision measurement). Having worked in depth with pool and spa leaks and solutions we are the experts. Years of rebuilding motors. Insulation testing and Solar power.
Organizations ALLExperts spa volunteer
ALLExperts pool volunteer
Publications Perhaps one day pool and spa articles.
Education/Credentials Electronics technology
Pool and Spa certified tech
Precision Measurement certified tech
Awards and Honors AllExperts Volunteers of the Month
Past/Present Clients Doctors, Dentist, Lawyers and their thieves.
We are replacing an existing patio around our inground pool with Cambridge pavers on 1" of sand and 4" of underlying concrete.
It's not an inexpensive project. I had the 2 skimmer & 3 return lines pressure tested. I'm told the skimmers hold the pressure well and he gave them a 90% rating. The returns were given a 70% rating (he suggested not using a too restrictive nozzle on the returns to minimize water loss). I have never notice a consistent or usual drop in water level. The pool was installed in 1982 with 1 1/2" hard black line (27 yrs old).
Question:
Should a pool owner expect to replace an inground pools "plumbing" after a certain period of time and if so when (after 25, 30 yrs, etc.?)?
I obviously want to know if I should replace the lines before the new patio is installed.
Thank you (also, how much do you think that should cost for an 18 x 36 pool with a 12 x 12 L?) Thanks again.
Ron
Answer If the deck of the pool was removed exposing the deck support replace the black pipe with new glue in flex pipe and fittings. The black pipe is poly pipe which could last forever but as this pipe can not be glued all wall fittings are barb with hose clamps and the barb fittings break down over time and leak. The main drain has to stay poly pipe as it can be plugged down the road. But if its possible to dig to skimmer and returns at this point change to PVC flex pipe. If you choose this way run a separate line for each skimmer back to the pump and same for returns we no longer Tee anything underground. As far as cost you need to measure the lengths needed from each skimmers and returns and price the flex pipe locally.
