- Jul 17, 2009
- 61
Hello everyone,
I have a leak in the pool plaster/shell and also leaking suction line. I have a salt system and original 1970' copper plumbing. I decided to replaster to pool and also fix the plumbing.
My pool loses about 0.5-1" per day and that requires me to add water 1.5 hours of full flow water to the pool every week. This is getting me a $400 water bill, and nightmare trying to control the chemistry when i always add fresh water and lose chemicals...
Received an estimate to change the whole existing plumbing to PVC. That includes 4 returns, new skimmer, vacuum line and a 3 feet under the surface suction "drain", that also requires cutting concrete that i have around the pool. All plumbing for $2200.
My question is about the main drain that the contractor want to eliminate. He is saying it is not really needed as i could use the vacuum line and the automatic cleaner to do the "drain function". His reasoning is that if I want him to plumb a new drain line too, he will need to cut into the pool shell, install new PVC, have a re-bar work done as the shell is now compromised, then needs a shot-crete job done to fill the concrete. He claims this extra would cost me another $5000 and really doesn't make sense. He will basically shut the old main drain, and they would replaster it so it would not even be visible.
The suction will be done using a new skimmer, a 3 feet under the water level "mini drain", and the vacuum auto cleaner that i would connect to the special line. He will also provide a 3 way valve to control the suction plumbing.
What is your take one it, does it make sense? Can i really be happy about getting rid of the main drain, getting brand new plumbing and no leaks for $2200?
btw: the re-plaster job with replacing 150 lf of tile will run me an additional $5300.
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40' x 20' gunite, pentair IC40 SWG, 10 Fafco solar panels, 60 sf Pentair DE filter
I have a leak in the pool plaster/shell and also leaking suction line. I have a salt system and original 1970' copper plumbing. I decided to replaster to pool and also fix the plumbing.
My pool loses about 0.5-1" per day and that requires me to add water 1.5 hours of full flow water to the pool every week. This is getting me a $400 water bill, and nightmare trying to control the chemistry when i always add fresh water and lose chemicals...
Received an estimate to change the whole existing plumbing to PVC. That includes 4 returns, new skimmer, vacuum line and a 3 feet under the surface suction "drain", that also requires cutting concrete that i have around the pool. All plumbing for $2200.
My question is about the main drain that the contractor want to eliminate. He is saying it is not really needed as i could use the vacuum line and the automatic cleaner to do the "drain function". His reasoning is that if I want him to plumb a new drain line too, he will need to cut into the pool shell, install new PVC, have a re-bar work done as the shell is now compromised, then needs a shot-crete job done to fill the concrete. He claims this extra would cost me another $5000 and really doesn't make sense. He will basically shut the old main drain, and they would replaster it so it would not even be visible.
The suction will be done using a new skimmer, a 3 feet under the water level "mini drain", and the vacuum auto cleaner that i would connect to the special line. He will also provide a 3 way valve to control the suction plumbing.
What is your take one it, does it make sense? Can i really be happy about getting rid of the main drain, getting brand new plumbing and no leaks for $2200?
btw: the re-plaster job with replacing 150 lf of tile will run me an additional $5300.
=====================================================================================
40' x 20' gunite, pentair IC40 SWG, 10 Fafco solar panels, 60 sf Pentair DE filter