Pool Renovation - Can you fix main drain with pipe through pool shell?

[rwilson001]

Going through a full renovation including making the main drain operational again. Since the old pipe was compromised, the contractor decided to cut a channel through pool shell to install a new drain. See photos. I’m worried that the pipes are too shallow and don’t allow for enough concrete fill? Any advice on whether this is being done correctly or not would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

 

[PoolGate]

Too bad you didn't come here first. Main drains are totally unnecessary and we would have advised to simply abandon it for good. No way I'd let them cut into my pool shell.

 

[Bperry]

Going through a full renovation including making the main drain operational again. Since the old pipe was compromised, the contractor decided to cut a channel through pool shell to install a new drain. See photos. I’m worried that the pipes are too shallow and don’t allow for enough concrete fill? Any advice on whether this is being done correctly or not would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
View attachment 520176 View attachment 520175
View attachment 520177View attachment 520178

The pipe should be covered by at least several inches of concrete. Without cutting all the way through the shell, the advice I’ve seen is to NOT cut a “V” trench like that because the concrete patch won’t have anything to lock it in place. Ideally the cut goes straight down or at an angle so the bottom of the trench is wider than the top of the trench. I’d also want to see new rebar in that trench.

 

[duraleigh]

What does your pool builder say? Have you considered eliminating main drain?

 

[rwilson001]

Thank you. Do you think I should have the pool builder stay the course as is, build the trench deeper so there’s several inches of concrete on top of the pipes, or abandon the main drain and fill it all in?

 

[rwilson001]

Thank you. Do you think I should have the pool builder stay the course as is, build the trench deeper so there’s several inches of concrete on top of the pipes, or abandon the main drain and fill it all in?

 

[Bperry]

Thank you. Do you think I should have the pool builder stay the course as is, build the trench deeper so there’s several inches of concrete on top of the pipes, or abandon the main drain and fill it all in?

Ask him what the warranty is on the shell leaking when he’s done.

 

[ajw22]

I don't see where any rebar was cut by the trench, which is good.

If you try and go deeper with the trench you will probably hit rebar and if it is cut compromise the pool structure.

I think you will be ok with a layer of hydraulic cement over the trench and then plaster to waterproof it all.

The situation is not ideal but any remedy will only make things worse.

You want a good plaster job.

 

[ajw22]

Ask him what the warranty is on the shell leaking when he’s done.

Shell will only leak if the plaster leaks.

Gunite/concrete is not waterproof to begin with.