Is my gunite shell compromised after this return plumbing repair was made?

[BSpooldude]

I recently had a new pool built, completed about two months ago. Soon after, I noticed we were losing about an inch of water per day. The pool builder performed a leak check and found a leak at one of the return jets. To fix it, they had to remove part of the decking and a large section of gunite.

The leak is now repaired, but should I be concerned about the large hole they had to dig into the gunite? Is this a minor issue, or should I monitor it more closely? Additionally, I noticed they used a 90° P-trap instead of running the pipe straight for the return jet. Any idea why a P-trap would be necessary here?

I’ve attached before and after pictures of the leak and repair for reference.

 

[Blackdirt Cowboy]

They dropped the repair down into what you are calling a p trap to facilitate using glue together fittings. Otherwise they would have had to use a compression fitting to keep it straight and that’s no bueno. I’ll let a gunite expert comment on that issue.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

The hole in the gunite shell needs to be filled in with fresh cement. The area should be dug out a bit to give good clearance, the exposed cement should be cleaned and prepped and then they should fill the hole back in. If they cut any rebar, then the new rebar needs to be tied in to the existing structure.

You should ask the builder doing this repair for a complete review of the process they plan to use to fill the hole back in. It should absolutely not be left that way.

 

[BSpooldude]

Thanks, everyone, for your responses. I spoke with the PB, and they confirmed that they will fill the hole before reinstalling the decking. I wish they had informed me earlier, but at least I have clarification now.

 

[setsailsoon]

Thanks, everyone, for your responses. I spoke with the PB, and they confirmed that they will fill the hole before reinstalling the decking. I wish they had informed me earlier, but at least I have clarification now.

If it was me I'd have them get it good and flushed out. I'd make sure the repair procedure is approved by the structural designer that stamped the original drawings. Also get an extension to the shell warranty if it wasn't lifetime.

Chris

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

It appears that the deck work is in contact with the pool shell.

 

[BSpooldude]

What will happen if the pool decking is touching the pool gunite shell?

 

[BSpooldude]

It appears that the deck work is in contact with the pool shell.View attachment 613859

What happens if the pool decking touches the gunite shell?

 

[JoyfulNoise]

The decking should be a separate “body” relative to the pool so that the deck can move independently of the pool. Without a proper expansion joint between the pool and deck, the deck could push against the coping and/or bond beam of the pool and cause cracks and damage. See this wiki article for more details -

Expansion Joints and Coping - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[setsailsoon]

Your design drawings should have some engineering notes about this.