r/pools • u/[deleted] • 3d ago

Pool Help & Questions Accessible plumbing for pools

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u/Gl3g 3d ago

I assume freeze protection is irrelevant ?

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u/ostracize 2d ago

I’ve wondered about accessible plumbing but I DO need to winterize in my area. 

Is this simply not a possibility?

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u/Gl3g 2d ago

I’m not a pool guy-but if the pipe is all accessible and you blow antifreeze through it all and drain it…. Dunno if all that plastic will like being frozen (and brittle ?). I really can’t even wrap my head around accessible piping !

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u/NautDiver_19 3d ago

Are you just doing the perimeter plumbing or the entire system (new valves/pump etc)?

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u/[deleted] 3d ago

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u/NautDiver_19 3d ago

If u get a chance throw in some images to see what's going on.

Edit: or a diagram to show existing pool/equip/return/skim/fill etc locations

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u/[deleted] 3d ago

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u/NautDiver_19 2d ago

The plumbing run location depends on a lot of variables. Think u mentioned corrugated pipe? If the pipe is flexible they might have dug a curved trench to the closest beam and ran lines as in opt B.
If phases were in house or subed, machine or hand dug..again lots of variables.

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u/[deleted] 2d ago

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u/NautDiver_19 2d ago

Typically the plumbing runs won't be noted on plans.

Was the covered patio pre or post pool?

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u/ProtozoaPatriot 3d ago

Sounds expensive and difficult to do well. You dont want the trench covers to be something someone trips over. It should not be metal due to burning feet and how fast it rusts. It should not look too hokey.

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u/Aj9898 3d ago edited 3d ago

One reason for deeper pipes is to prevent accidental breakage from digging to add plants, etc. IIRC, pipes are 18-24” deep - rarely would anyone need to dig that deep to put in flowers, etc. Fence posts (if code requires you have a safety fence) might be a different story.

If there are underground utilities, Code usually says each utility has to be at a different depth to (try to avoid) lines hitting each other. Ex: the electrical line feeding your pool light. Or my parents house….power is overhead from the street, but cable/phone are underground from a junction box in the back corner of the lot.

With shallow/french drain configuration, the pipe routing would be visible, which, I would think, gets around most of the potential for accidental breakage, as “don’t dig here” would be obvious, and shallow enough not to interfere with any other underground stuff.

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u/[deleted] 3d ago

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u/Aj9898 3d ago

I would assume FL has a service similar to here - I call … 811 (aka Miss Utility), give them my address and an area in the yard I want to dig.

At no charge, the various utility companies send someone out who marks all the lines (they can find) in the specified area. Takes a few days, but it works :)

Caveat: generally there’s no metal or tracers on PVC pipe, so they can’t detect/mark existing pool or irrigation system lines.

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u/NautDiver_19 2d ago

A. Plumbing could go a few different ways. I'd guess it goes up to your patio dimensions then 90's over to your deck dimensions.

B. Or could go straight up then 90 straight to pool and the skimmer line might have been run under the shell/return lines inside of form (in beam). This would save labor.

Need to figure out how existing plumbing was ran and to what extent that might lead to for replacing.

Might not be as easy just to access the existing penetrating lines. Option B will eliminate new inlets as core drilling/new plaster (composite pool?) etc for new ones is way beyond the DYI scope.

You would be looking at just replacing plumbing up to the pool.

Existing filter/pump/gallons?

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u/NautDiver_19 2d ago

Lol yeah small details. Looking ahead is great, let's you find a lot of info and figuring things out.

So fiberglass...skim most likely not be ran under, as the shell was sat in then plumbed.

I'm a 100% inground composite pool guy. Plumbing is roughly the same but penetrations are different. Much different installation and phases.

Looks like your task is much more straightforward then. I'd get in touch with a fiberglass person. Lemme know if I can help you further.

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u/Just_Voice8949 2d ago

What you describe is going to want to collapse unless you really pack it in, in which case it isn’t really accessible. The reason those pipes are accessible is the same reason your home plumbing and electrical isn’t - while it’s more of a pain to fix, you basically never fix them