Leaning Equipment Pipes - 18 months after construction

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J

JMPool99

Bronze Supporter
Jul 31, 2021
129
So Cal
Pool Size
22000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
Our pool is only about 18 months old. We have expansive soil where we are and had a soils engineer who does most the pools in the area engaged from day one of the project. All the engineering was done per the soils engineers recommendations.

The last 18 months I've observced that the pool pipes are all starting to lean. Simply put, the pipes are starting to look a bit like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. I'm concerned that something is going to break underground given the ongoing and progressing strain.

I chceked photos and measurements from when we first built and all the pipes were perpendicular coming out of the ground. I have one main pad that's concrete where most the equipment sits -- this pad is still level and no evidence it has moved (it's against the house so that serves as a reference point). I have two plastic pads that may have shifted some. Regardless, ALL pipes are leaning and ALL are leaning in the same direction.

Anyone ever experience this or have any thouhts? I've probably been fortunate something hasn't broken yet??

Attached is a photo of one example the pipes. The lines in the fence are a good example. The fence is perfectly level and perpendicular to the ground - I checked.


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AQUA~HOLICS said:
At the time the trenches were dug did they over excavate and back fill prior to laying the pipes or did they lay the pipes directly on un disturbed earth?
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Good question -- I watched each step of the process but I can't recall exactly. I vaguely remember them putting some dirt back in before laying pipe, but it wouldn't have been much. I say that because I think they had to even out the bottom of the trenches to make the height level.
 
Looks to me like settling in the pipe trench is causing the pipes to lean. The trench was not properly backfilled and the pipes supported.

Post wider pics of your equipment pad so we can see how many pipes are leaning.

I would figure out how to release the tension on the pipes before something fails. Either dig up the ground along where the pipes come up or cut and replumb.
 
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It's a little hard to tell from the photos (it's a tight area so hard to get good shot with perspective).
  1. The pipes for the main equpiment pad (that is concrete) are leaning toward the pad. It has gotten progressively worse over time. The three pipes together are the ones that are most noticeable. But it's less severe than the two other smaller pads that are not concrete. The concerete pad they're on is against the house and has not moved at all and appears to still be pretty darn level in both directions. So, to your points, it seems like the PIPES are moving.
  2. The smaller pads are much worse. The worst is the one with the blue arrow in the photo. This maybe a combination of PIPES moving AND pad based on some of the comments here.
We do have expansive soil and I have seen some shifting of the decking (pavers) around the pool, but everything has moved together.

I'm also attaching a photo of a level that shows how far off it is.

Only 18 months old. I would think this is a builder issue normally under warranty?

Dig down some and cut to releive the tension on the pipes, then how can the "offset" to the pads be handled? IS there a flex style pipe or something (short sections like 2-3"?) that would allow the pipes to be at an angle even though the pad is still level? What a mess.
 

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The movement of the soil needs to be corrected first or you will be dealing with this until it stops settling on its own.
Strongly suggest not using any flex style pipe as a fix unless it’s for temporary use.
Typically the equipment pad is set in place first then plumbing/electrical trenches are dug, this may explain why the main equipment pad is not moving but the adjacent pipes are.
Has the builder been informed?
 

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Builder hasn't been informed yet. I was trying to understand the problem a bit first -- thanks for all the info.

The pad was set after they dug the trenches.

Any thougts on what might be a "fix" for the soil issues? Again, trying toget any idea of possibilities.

Thanks for all th replies.
 
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