Pool leak from return line; repair help

[jpage123]

Hey guys. Question regarding return line repair.

Scenario: My pool water level was dipping so I suspected a leak. I marked water lines for a couple of weeks and noticed more loss with pump on versus pump off indicating return lines may be the issue. I walked around the outside of our concrete slab and noticed damp soil in one spot (we had a hot summer even for Texas standards so this was notable). Then I noticed the cement adjacent to the pool had been patched above where two return lines enter the pool and it looked like a prior repair job (we moved in a year ago). I dug out the damp ground near the slab trying to tunnel under to the pipes. I wasn't able to get to the pipes but when I left my pool pump on for 2 hours, the hole I dug filled up with water letting me know I was in the right spot. I rented a concrete saw and cut out the prior patch of cement and dug down to the two return lines. The one that was previously repaired looked good. The other had a leak from the 45 elbow connector (pic attached).

Question: I removed the leaking 45 elbow. The return line that I had to cut is full of water. I've let it drain and drain and removed multiple 5 gallon buckets worth of water but it keeps coming. The pump is obviously off. I want to make the repair but not sure if I continue to drain the line until its dry and I can make the repair in a dry field or do I make the repair with water everywhere? I have it capped for now. The pipe is 1.5" diameter and travels probably 80 feet or more back to the pump so there could be a ton of water that I would have to keep scooping out of the hole. Is there something I'm missing?

(Once I get the pipes are repaired, I'm planning to fill it back in with dirt and do the concrete work myself. I was quoted around $400-500 for leak detection and over a $1000 for all of the digging and repair.)

Thanks for any help,

Cody

 

[Texas Splash]

Cody, welcome to TFP! As for the return line repair.... Been there. Just a couple months ago. Make sure you have all return jets plugged so that no water can get to that return. Several jets may be on one trunk line. Check I make sure your valves are closed at the pad as well.

This was my mess.

Plumbing Assessment & Repairs

After several months of debate and testing that has confirmed I have plumbing leak on both the pressure and suction sides, I've finally decided to go in. My priority is the suction line right now since I have a Frakenplug installed in my cracked return jet, but since I had to rent a concrete...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Texas Splash]

To answer your question, you want the repair areas, pipes, connections, etc, to be clean and dry before you prime and glue.

 

[HermanTX]

Question: I removed the leaking 45 elbow. The return line that I had to cut is full of water. I've let it drain and drain and removed multiple 5 gallon buckets worth of water but it keeps coming. The pump is obviously off. I want to make the repair but not sure if I continue to drain the line until its dry and I can make the repair in a dry field or do I make the repair with water everywhere? I have it capped for now. The pipe is 1.5" diameter and travels probably 80 feet or more back to the pump so there could be a ton of water that I would have to keep scooping out of the hole. Is there something I'm missing?

Is the water coming from the pool side? On the equipment side, do you have a valve that can be shut off to the return?

You will need to plug the return in the pool or drain water below the returns.

if the pipe is open (where you removed the 45 deg fitting) can you place a coupling on it with a connection to a hose and let it drain away from the hole? A snug fit on the pipe should be fine as there is no pressure.

 

[jpage123]

To answer your question, you want the repair areas, pipes, connections, etc, to be clean and dry before you prime and glue.

Thanks! I bought a little pump and am pumping water from the cut return line right back into the pool. I was using 5 gallon buckets until I thought to just run it back into the pool. Not worried about pool chemistry at the moment.

 

[jpage123]

Is the water coming from the pool side? On the equipment side, do you have a valve that can be shut off to the return?

You will need to plug the return in the pool or drain water below the returns.

if the pipe is open (where you removed the 45 deg fitting) can you place a coupling on it with a connection to a hose and let it drain away from the hole? A snug fit on the pipe should be fine as there is no pressure.

I was getting dripping from the pool side but tightened the return plug and that stopped. It’s now just from the pump side. This should just be residual water in the line. I bought a cheap pump that I have resting in the open end of the cut return line and I’m pumping it right back into the pool. I’m not sure how much water is in the line but apparently quite a bit. I plan to just leave it going until the hole is dry. I also turned off the valve To the return line at the pad.

 

[HermanTX]

I was getting dripping from the pool side but tightened the return plug and that stopped. It’s now just from the pump side. This should just be residual water in the line. I bought a cheap pump that I have resting in the open end of the cut return line and I’m pumping it right back into the pool. I’m not sure how much water is in the line but apparently quite a bit. I plan to just leave it going until the hole is dry. I also turned off the valve To the return line at the pad.

That will work. I use a very similar pump for general needs.
Be sure to dry fit all before starting to glue it.

 

[jpage123]

That will work. I use a very similar pump for general needs.
Be sure to dry fit all before starting to glue it.

Will do thank you!

 

[jpage123]

I'm late posting but wanted to follow up.
The final repair is below. I turned the pump back on and repair looks good.
The leak from the return line ended up being that I hadn't capped the return lines within the pool. Once I placed the plugs and tightened them the water stopped. Rookie mistake.
Thanks for all of the help.

 

[Texas Splash]

Nice little loop you have there. Check that off the "To-Do" listing. Now onto a 100 other things. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.