Broken Lawn Irrigation Under Pool Floor

[IsThisWhereIPutMyName?]

So unbeknownst to me I had a main supply for our lawn irrigation run under our above ground pool.

This week the line busted. Luckily I caught it quickly but there is now a decent size divot where the water disturbed the sand under the liner. Maybe 18 inches wide by 4 inches deep.

So it doesn’t seem so bad, my biggest worry is just that there may now be a stone or something that will be more likely to rip the liner.

When you inadvertently start digging a hole it’s probably best to stop digging, but since I have a pipe leading directly to the damaged area would it be possible use some low pressure water from a hose or air compressor to blow some sand back in? What level of stupid is that idea?

 

[Floorguy]

I would think if its a machine made for it sure (pipe with sand and air coming out) but for a backyard handyman (as most of us probably are) ... ehhhh maybe not.

Maybe contact a concrete lifting company.. see what they think. I mean they have to pump stuff where you cant see... See if they have a "expandable" type foam or something

 

[IsThisWhereIPutMyName?]

Thanks - yeah I think this is a job too small for anyone to come out and do. It’s not terrible, just a little annoying. I may just stomp as best I can around the edges to level it off a bit. I mean it would only need about 1 cubic foot of sand to smooth it out again.

 

[Floorguy]

do you have access to it from the side?

Maybe dump some sand, then use (whatever size the hole is) a piece of PVC, with a cap or plug.... Pour some sand (or whatever media) and use that to push it in.

Itll be tricky to make sure it doesnt go downward, or upward (unless you have like foam under it, protecting the bottom)

 

[IsThisWhereIPutMyName?]

do you have access to it from the side?

Maybe dump some sand, then use (whatever size the hole is) a piece of PVC, with a cap or plug.... Pour some sand (or whatever media) and use that to push it in.

Itll be tricky to make sure it doesnt go downward, or upward (unless you have like foam under it, protecting the bottom)

No it’s right in the middle of the pool so it’s pretty inaccessible. My only bet (other than draining the pool) is through the irrigation line. Best case is that the 1 inch supply pipe is severed / detached from the other end of the pipe. When I cut it from outside the pool I could in theory blow some material through and stomp it around in the pool to level it off. I was thinking maybe to pour a few cups of muddy sand into the pipe and then use my compressor to clear the line / push the sand to the end. Sand might be too heavy so I was also thinking small pelletized styrofoam.

 

[CJadamec]

Your best best is going to be leave it alone. You would know by now if something sharp wash pushing into the liner. Just keep and eye on the depression to make sure it doesn't keep getting bigger.

The more you try to play with it or inject something into the area the more likely you are to actually poke something into the liner.

The only good way to fill in the hole is to drain the pool and pull the liner.

Enjoy your new and rather small deep end.