Plugging floor returns

[dshuster]

I had a leak between my pump and pump housing which I had my pool guy replace all the seals and gaskets. I also have a leak in the picture below marked with a red circle. When I spoke to the pool guy, he said since I have floor returns, they would have to get divers to go down there and plug the returns. I am new to pools and have not gone through a closing since we moved into this house back in March of this year. How do they plug the floor returns for closing a pool? Also, when replacing the leak area would you put valves right under the 90 degree piping to close it off in the future?

Thanks
-Dimitry

 

[Bama Rambler]

I got confused?? You started off talking about a leak and then it sounded as though the pool guy said they'd have to plug the floor returns in order to fix the leak, but then you wanted to know how they plug the returns for closing?? I'm really confused now!

 

[dshuster]

Sorry about the confusion! I thought plugging the pool returns for a leak or closing it would be the same.

Thanks
-Dimitry

 

[jblizzle]

If the leak (pipe) is above the water level, then you do not need to plug anything for the repair.

 

[Bama Rambler]

Unless the equipment is below the pool there is no need to plug anything. The water will not rise up in the plumbing.

As for as closing a lot of people don't plug them. They blow air into them and then air lock them with the valves. If they do plug them they have to dive down and install plugs.

 

[dshuster]

The pool equipment is downhill from the pool so I assume if I cut the pipes, the water would start coming out. I am attaching pictures.

Thanks
-Dimitry

 

[Bama Rambler]

Since the equipment is below the pool you will have to stop the flow somehow. Looks like diving is your best bet.
How many floor returns are there?

 

[mpnret]

How bad of a leak due you have at that point? You may want to try putting a stainless steel hose clamp on the fitting at that point. Sometimes it is enough to stop the leak until you feel like doing the long term fix.

 

[dshuster]

The pool has three floor returns and one drain. Pictures attached. Btw, how do you plug floor returns? Can you put some kind of suction bucket or cap on the floor returns to stop the flow temporarily?

Thanks
-Dimitry

 

[jblizzle]

Not to alarm you, but there is a frog on the bottom of your pool

 

[dshuster]

I noticed that after I took the picture.

Thanks
-Dimitry