Return Plumbing depth

[njpoolowner27]

Hello,

I have a question that I haven't seem to found a firm answer on.

Small background, North/Central NJ, Vinyl lined older pool circa 1980's, single skimmer, surrounded by concrete patio. The skimmer return line runs under the concrete, and is badly cracked.. somewhere under there.

To avoid breaking up all the concrete, I am able to run a line out to the grass, trenching it all the way around to the pump setup, only adding a small amount of distance.

My question is, how deep do I need to bury the schedule 40 pipe? I have seen anywhere from 18" to 4ft. From what I gathered it's really a matter of opinion. But my current plan is 18" with some paverbase under/around/on top of the line. I do blow them out every winter.

Is that a good plan?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

 

[PoolStored]

Check for state and local codes, but 18" is standards. Your plan is fine.

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

In Northern NJ, the frost level is about 20" deep. I would look to bury water pipes at least that deep.

 

[wireform]

Whatever you do don't use flex pvc.

 

[PoolStored]

Whatever you do don't use flex pvc.

AND don't use DWV fittings.

 

[njpoolowner27]

Whatever you do don't use flex pvc.

Yes.. that was what was here when I bought the house, and it seems both return lines are cracked under the concrete somwhere.... won't make the same mistake.

 

[njpoolowner27]

Welcome to TFP.

In Northern NJ, the frost level is about 20" deep. I would look to bury water pipes at least that deep.

Hm, ok so not much deeper.. I am using an 18" trencher, so I'll dig down a bit deeper by hand. I could rent a deeper trencher but I'm afraid to go too deep. There's a buried electrical cable that supplies the pool house somewhere in the area.. I hope they put it down 36" like they were supposed to but I wouldn't bet on it.

 

[PoolStored]

You need to call 811 BEFORE you dig. Hitting a gas line or electrical line will not be good for your health. Get it marked!

811 In Your State

 

[njpoolowner27]

I will call.
But these are lines installed by the previous homeowner, not the electric company. its 10/2 direct burial cable run from the house to the poolhouse to run the subpanel for the pump/lights/etc.

 

[PoolStored]

The point of 811 is that they will mark all existing UTILITIES like Gas and Electrical lines...so you know where they are before you trench...

"Call Before You Dig"

Link for NJ. Link-->New Jersey One Call: Dig Safely with Free Markout Requests

 

[njpoolowner27]

The point of 811 is that they will mark all existing UTILITIES like Gas and Electrical lines...so you know where they are before you trench...

"Call Before You Dig"

Link for NJ. Link-->New Jersey One Call: Dig Safely with Free Markout Requests

Hm interesting, as I understood it 811 marks utilities that are owned by the utility company, not private ones like in this case. If I needed to mark ones that I owned I would have to hire a private utility mapping service

 

[PoolStored]

You are missing the point. I'm not trying to find your pool pipes or electrical. I'm trying to ensure you don't hit an electrical or gas service line.

You are correct on YOUR lines...like the pool equipment feed...you would have to get an your own device or a private mapping service.

 

[njpoolowner27]

You are missing the point. I'm not trying to find your pool pipes or electrical. I'm trying to ensure you don't hit an electrical or gas service line.

You are correct on YOUR lines...like the pool equipment feed...you would have to get an your own device or a private mapping service.

Oh, I'm following you, yes I was planning on calling either way. I know where my lines are in the front from previous digging. Not sure about the back.

I thought you meant they would be able to detect the private electric line. Thanks for all the advice!

 

[wireform]

If it's a nice guy and you tell him where you want to trench he may give you another 5 minutes and do a quick scan, have seen this scenario once.

 

[PoolStored]

Was going to suggest the same. You need to be there when they come, they don't tell you when they will come, nor will they notify you when they arrive...

 

[Bill1974]

You can probably rent the equipement to trace gas and electric line or buy something off of Amazon. Or just hire a pro to mark them.

Depth I would say the deeper the better. All depends on how deep you can or want to dig. Ideally you would slope the returns to the pool so when you blow them out and if you put anti freeze in them it would flow to the end. Also being deep enough that if someone ever mounts anything to the deck or installs safety cover anchors there is no risk of finding a line. If you are going in lawn or flower beds, deep enough to not be in sprinkler line depth or effected by tree or shubs roots.