Cracked autofill pipe under decking

pers785 · Sep 28, 2022

Hello all,

New to the forum, and a new homeowner with a pool. One of the first things we had to do was get a gate installed as we have a energetic 2 year old that darts towards the water.

We had a lifesaver fence installed where they drill into the decking to install sleeves and poles 3 days ago. Turns out during the install (by a reputable company) they got near a PVC pipe but didn't feel that they cracked it. He showed me the area, we didn't see any water leaking, and being a new pool owner, I didn't even know what that piping was for, but in retrospect it's obviously for the autofill.

Finally turned on the autofill (not really autofill as I manually control it from the water outlet in our backyard), and I saw water leaking from that area that the sleeve of concern is installed. Once I turned it off, the water stopped.

Messaged the installer this morning, and while I wait to hear back, I'm freaking out if this is going to be a big repair requiring drilling a huge square into the concrete or if I'm missing some simple repair that might work.

Attaching pictures below. The blue circle is the sleeve/pool fence where the water leaks out of when I turn on the water line for the autofill. The red line is what appears to be line of path of the PVC. From the skimmer it angles initially, then I believe it's a straight shot.

Any words of wisdom appreciated, and hopefully I can freak out a bit less once I get a better idea of what's going on.

Thanks!

Bperry · Sep 28, 2022

You have two choices:

1. Don’t use the fill pipe anymore.
2. Concrete saw and jackhammer.

pers785 · Sep 28, 2022

Bperry said:
You have two choices:

1. Don’t use the fill pipe anymore.
2. Concrete saw and jackhammer.

Time to get a few quotes.

Any idea of ballpark range if it's a straightforward situation for them to hammer out the concrete, repair, replace concrete and match decking/paint?

I'm kind of freaking out here as a newbie

wireform · Sep 28, 2022

At this point there really isn't any other choices but to cement saw it and get it repaired. Cement never matches but with time it'll blend but don't expect it to blend perfectly color wise ever. It will also need to be buried deeper and then close to the termination come back up if he's going to put that fence peg in the same spot.

Bperry · Sep 28, 2022

That’s one of the benefits of a paver deck. Repairs like that can be “easily” hidden. I don’t know that there’s anything you can do to match old and new.

pers785 · Sep 28, 2022

Would most just repair and deal with a mismatched deck?

Or stop using the fill line and figure out another solution?

This sucks.

wireform · Sep 28, 2022

I think it would be owner preference but if you want the auto fill the repair needs to get done.

Bperry · Sep 28, 2022

pers785 said:
Would most just repair and deal with a mismatched deck?

Or stop using the fill line and figure out another solution?

This sucks.

Personally, I’d repair it. Someone using it who doesn’t know it’s leaking could cause a lot of damage in the future.

pers785 · Sep 28, 2022

Bperry said:
Personally, I’d repair it. Someone using it who doesn’t know it’s leaking could cause a lot of damage in the future.

Someone would need to educate me, but the other reason I feel like it'd have to be repaired is wouldn't there be a chance of the pool having retrograde flow through the fill line during heavy rain or floods?

Water going through the skimmer, through the fill opening and then pouring out of the cracked location 3 feet away? Im assuming enough water around that area would cause some damage

Again, I could be completely wrong but that part also worries me and makes me want to repair it vs just not use it. Unless its possible to plug the fill line so no backflow can go in reverse

Bperry · Sep 28, 2022

pers785 said:
So

Water going through the skimmer, through the fill opening and then pouring out of the cracked location 3 feet away? Im assuming enough water around that area would cause some damage

Yes, that’s why I would repair.

pers785 · Sep 29, 2022

Bperry said:
Yes, that’s why I would repair.

So got a date for a repair but not till end of October as they want their pool autofill plumbing technician to do it.

Im happy to wait, but does anyone believe I need to plug the hole for fill line in the skimmer to prevent any retrograde flow pouring through the crack?

I live in coastal Texas, so my concern is a fee heavy thunderstorms/hurricane leading to the pool overfilling? Or am I overthinking this and don't need to worry about it.

Thanks!

Bperry · Sep 29, 2022

pers785 said:
So got a date for a repair but not till end of October as they want their pool autofill plumbing technician to do it.

Im happy to wait, but does anyone believe I need to plug the hole for fill line in the skimmer to prevent any retrograde flow pouring through the crack?

I live in coastal Texas, so my concern is a fee heavy thunderstorms/hurricane leading to the pool overfilling? Or am I overthinking this and don't need to worry about it.

Thanks!

Is the fill outlet submerged under water or open to air?

pers785 · Sep 29, 2022

Bperry said:
Is the fill outlet submerged under water or open to air?

Currently open to air.

It's in the skimmer at the very top of it.

Photo below, and it's at a bad angle, but it's about 4 inches from the top of the deck

Search

Cracked autofill pipe under decking

pers785

Member

Attachments

Bperry

pers785

Member

wireform

Bperry

pers785

Member

wireform

Bperry

pers785

Member

Bperry

Enjoying this content?

pers785

Member

Bperry

pers785

Member

Attachments