Leak issue, looking for advice on how to proceed.

[hmh098]

I hired a leak detection company that detected a leak in the return lines without specifying where the leak might be. Their solution is to run new returns coming close to 10k after tax.

I don't have this kind of money, and I also think it's unreasonable.

I have a rather obvious area where the water pools and causes the liner to bubble, I dug there and tunneled under the deck and found nothing.

Then I moved to the closer return, cut the deck and started digging. This pipe goes so deep and I think I'm close but it's getting more difficult to keep going deeper. And frankly a little less safe. Now I'm basically level with the pool ground and the pipe still goes down, I assume for another few inches but at this point I'm not sure. The ground seems to be flat at that point and I noticed a plastic film around the pipe I'm hoping that shows in the last picture.

Looking for advice on the best solution here and whether it's worth it to keep digging vs running new lines myself.

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

If you are willing to trench and dig then run new return lines yourself. Rent a trencher. In your area your lines need to be deep to get them below the frost line.

The digging and trenching is the hard part. Cutting and gluing PVC should be the easy part.

I think you are seeing why the company recommended abandoning the old lines and running new lines.

 

[oldprophet]

Welcome to TFP.

If you are willing to trench and dig then run new return lines yourself. Rent a trencher. In your area your lines need to be deep to get them below the frost line.

The digging and trenching is the hard part. Cutting and gluing PVC should be the easy part.

I think you are seeing why the company recommended abandoning the old lines and running new lines.

If money is an issue you can run a PVC pipe over the deck as a return line.. It's a temporary fix but will give you time.
,

 

[hmh098]

Welcome to TFP.

If you are willing to trench and dig then run new return lines yourself. Rent a trencher. In your area your lines need to be deep to get them below the frost line.

The digging and trenching is the hard part. Cutting and gluing PVC should be the easy part.

I think you are seeing why the company recommended abandoning the old lines and running new lines.

Thank you, to be frank I always understood why they recommended it the problem is the cost and not even entertaining any potentially lower cost options.

I agree on the work part, it shouldn't be too difficult to run the new lines though I'm still not convinced about the depth requirements.

Why go below the frost line if lines are to be blown each year for winterization? If I'm going to dig 4-5 feet down I'm back where I started with lines being inaccessible and almost impossible to repair.

 

[hmh098]

If money is an issue you can run a PVC pipe over the deck as a return line.. It's a temporary fix but will give you time.
,

That's not a bad idea, thank you. But I'm thinking I'm already 5 ft deep with the pipe exposed, the least I could do it get it piped. I do have a small deck close to the pool equipment, I could perhaps go above ground in that section.

Do you think it's possible to run it with one return only? Say saving the second return repair for next year?

 

[ajw22]

Why go below the frost line if lines are to be blown each year for winterization? If I'm going to dig 4-5 feet down I'm back where I started with lines being inaccessible and almost impossible to repair.

Winterization plugs may leak during the winter and let water in. Blowouts don't get 100% of the water but what is left settles to the pipe low points which should be below the frost line.

Do you think it's possible to run it with one return only? Say saving the second return repair for next year?

A pool will run fine with one return to circulate the water.

 

[hmh098]

Winterization plugs may leak during the winter and let water in. Blowouts don't get 100% of the water but what is left settles to the pipe low points which should be below the frost line.



A pool will run fine with one return to circulate the water.

That is perfect, I can do the one return rerun relatively easy since it's close to the equipment and is already exposed.

 

[oldprophet]

That's not a bad idea, thank you. But I'm thinking I'm already 5 ft deep with the pipe exposed, the least I could do it get it piped. I do have a small deck close to the pool equipment, I could perhaps go above ground in that section.

Do you think it's possible to run it with one return only? Say saving the second return repair for next year?

Yes. One return would be fine for circulation. I've done this with several pools and it gives you time to make good financial decisions