With the pool closed for the season and other outdoor projects winding down as we settle into winter (we're in NJ), I'm starting to think about early spring projects and budgeting.
As described in this thread - Filter Pressure Too High...? - our pool has a partially crushed return line that seems to be getting worse each year. I'm thinking that early spring, before we open the pool and the lines become full of water, will be the best time to do this work. Before I start calling contractors, I'm trying to understand my options and rough cost estimates for each.
Here's are the options I see:
1. Locate problem spot, cut/remove existing concrete, fix pipe, patch concrete
Pros - Cheapest, don't need to re-drill for cover anchors or child fence post holders
Cons - Ugly patch, won't fix other deck issues (cracked plastic expansion joints, severely sloped deck on one side), possibility of more crushed sections downstream, no opportunity to upgrade plumbing or add a pool light
2. Completely remove existing deck, re-run all plumbing, install a pool light, install new deck
Pros - Best overall solution
Cons - Probably very expensive, need to re-drill for cover anchors and child fence post holders, can this be done with the pool in place? (liner was just replaced two years ago)
3. Locate problem spot, cut/remove existing concrete, fix pipe, patch concrete, pour new concrete over the existing slab
Pros - If this is even possible, probably a good middle-of-the-road solution that fixes the current plumbing issue and addresses the other deck issues; could even cut more concrete and install a pool light
Cons - Is this even possible?, doesn't help prevent other plumbing issues downstream, still need to re-drill for cover anchors and child fence post holders, how is the coping dealt with given the increase in height of the deck?
4. Run a new return line using some kind of horizontal boring technique that doesn't require cutting the deck
Pros - If this is even possible, probably less expensive, no ugly patch in the deck, don't need to re-drill for cover anchors or child fence post holders, might be able to install a pool light the same way
Cons - Is this even possible?, due to our layout, would only be able to run a single return this way, doesn't address the other deck issues
What do you guys think? Other options I'm missing? Any comments on ballpark costs?
Thanks.
As described in this thread - Filter Pressure Too High...? - our pool has a partially crushed return line that seems to be getting worse each year. I'm thinking that early spring, before we open the pool and the lines become full of water, will be the best time to do this work. Before I start calling contractors, I'm trying to understand my options and rough cost estimates for each.
Here's are the options I see:
1. Locate problem spot, cut/remove existing concrete, fix pipe, patch concrete
Pros - Cheapest, don't need to re-drill for cover anchors or child fence post holders
Cons - Ugly patch, won't fix other deck issues (cracked plastic expansion joints, severely sloped deck on one side), possibility of more crushed sections downstream, no opportunity to upgrade plumbing or add a pool light
2. Completely remove existing deck, re-run all plumbing, install a pool light, install new deck
Pros - Best overall solution
Cons - Probably very expensive, need to re-drill for cover anchors and child fence post holders, can this be done with the pool in place? (liner was just replaced two years ago)
3. Locate problem spot, cut/remove existing concrete, fix pipe, patch concrete, pour new concrete over the existing slab
Pros - If this is even possible, probably a good middle-of-the-road solution that fixes the current plumbing issue and addresses the other deck issues; could even cut more concrete and install a pool light
Cons - Is this even possible?, doesn't help prevent other plumbing issues downstream, still need to re-drill for cover anchors and child fence post holders, how is the coping dealt with given the increase in height of the deck?
4. Run a new return line using some kind of horizontal boring technique that doesn't require cutting the deck
Pros - If this is even possible, probably less expensive, no ugly patch in the deck, don't need to re-drill for cover anchors or child fence post holders, might be able to install a pool light the same way
Cons - Is this even possible?, due to our layout, would only be able to run a single return this way, doesn't address the other deck issues
What do you guys think? Other options I'm missing? Any comments on ballpark costs?
Thanks.