New pool plumbing issues

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G

gastrek

Member
Aug 25, 2021
10
Bay Area CA
Pool Size
23000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Hi,
Our pool builder started the plumbing yesterday. I specifically asked that the main drain be a home run back to the equipment pad. He agreed, but did not understand what I said. Looks like they connected it to a skimmer... I’m losing patience with this builder. They have a long history of not listening and not writing things down. I feel like I have to watch their every move for mistakes.

My question is, on the second skimmer, there is a pipe that tee's off into 2 pipes that come out into what will be the the pool wall. Any ideas what these are for or why they would do this?

The only thing I can think is, we have told them we do not want a Polaris sweeper, we will buy a dolphin type cleaner. But he was insisting we have a sweep line because it’s impossible to add one later. Are these for a sweep line? Is this how it would be typically plumbed? Should I tell them to remove these pipe? And just drop the sweep line completely?

(Ignore the cut end PVC to the right of the skimmer, that's where they cut into the lawn sprinklers...)

Thanks
Steve
 

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It's an equalizer line for the skimmer. Basically if the water gets towards the bottom of the skimmer or below it, the water will get sucked in through the equalizer lines. Used to be that there would only be one, but new code states that they need to be treated the same way as a traditional floor drain would for anti-entrapment purposes.
 
Actually I was incorrect, the code states that equalizers are not to be used in new construction. ANSI/PHTA/ICC-7 is the code, there's a short bit on skimmers there.
 
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G,

Codes are often different in different places. I would just let your pool builder do his thing. It is obvious that your main drain is going to be run back to the equipment pad and I would not worry about the equalizer lines for more than a micro-second.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
It's your pool your money and your way. Now is the time to make things right. At this point it's a home run to the equipment pad for the main drain not run it via the skimmer. If you have the MD home runed then in my opinion if the MD valve is left always in the slightly open position you don't need those equalizer lines at the skimmer. If and when a skimmer blockage arises the MD would keep the pump going.
 
I'll talk to them about the equalizer lines. To me, at this point it seems pointless, and simpler is better. No one has advise on the sweep line? I really don't think it is needed either as we will not get a Polaris sweeper or pump.
Last question (for now) would it be best to run the 2 skimmers back to the equipment pad and valve them there, or can they be tied together and a single home run back to the pad?

Thanks for all the comments. The people on this site are amazing!
 
The sweeper line as you call it can be there even if not used. The skimmers need to be plumbed separately all the way home so when a problem surfaces with one it can be completely shut off.
 
Well, they fixed the main drain! It now runs back to the pad. The also removed the equalizer. But I now see a new pugged fitting near one of the main drain pipes that was not there last time. I'll ask them about it tomorrow, but thought I'd ask here, any idea what that plug is near the main drain pipe?
 

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That plug may be where a hydrostatic relief valve will be installed.

 

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If it is for a hydro-static relief -- that is very odd. I cannot see a need for that in your location.

Another member in Simi Valley had the same thing and the plaster folks messed up and it was a leak. I would be very careful that it is handled properly. And also determine why it was installed.
 
Great information in this thread! I have two friends that just had pools installed and they both have a single equalizer coming off their skimmers. I was planning on doing the same, but after I read this thread I'll skip it and just seal off that port.
 
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