QA

How To Plumb A Swimming Pool

How many inlets should a pool have?

Floor Inlets: • One floor inlet shall be provided for each 10,000 gallons for a pool that exceeds 40 feet in width. Additional floor inlets may be required to ensure uniform circulation throughout the entire pool.

How deep should pool pipes be buried?

How Deep Should Pool Plumbing Pipes be Buried? Your plumbing lines should be about 2 ft underground to protect them from surface soil slip and shift and from freezing temperatures.

What type of pipe is used for pools?

PVC – Rigid PVC (polyvinyl chloride) pipe is a standard for swimming pool piping, as well as many other plumbing jobs. The thickness of the wall of the pipe is known as the schedule, most commonly PVC pipe is made to schedule 40 or schedule 80.

What is drain at bottom of pool for?

Swimming pool main drains are one of two mechanisms used in many pools to circulate and filter their water, the other being skimmers. A swimming pool main drain uses suction to pull pool water through it. Heavy particulate matter that sinks to a pool’s bottom is often sucked away through a main drain.

How many return lines should a pool have?

While many professionals install two returns, some prefer more as a general rule. Builder Guy Wood, for instance, often will place four returns in pools that measure 250 to 600 square feet. A vessel of 600 to 800 square feet will generally have six returns to start.

Can you build your own plunge pool?

A plunge pool can be customized any way the homeowner plans to use it.

Are plunge pools worth it?

The most obvious benefit to a plunge pool is that they enable people who do not have space for a traditional swimming pool to fit a pool in their yard. The smaller size also naturally means that plunge pools are cheaper to buy and install, and they are cheap to operate with heating, filtration, and cleaning.

How deep is a dipping pool?

How big are plunge pools? Because they can be built on-site like traditional pools, the size can vary widely. But plunge pools typically run from 6 1/2 to 10 feet wide and 10 to 22 feet long. The depth ranges from 5 1/2 to 7 feet, and the bottom is almost always flat.

Are pools connected to water supply?

The well water connection is there as a reserve. A swimming pool must have potable water (i.e., treated) within it for health reasons. The nearest source of potable water is either the municipal water supply system, or the pumped and treated water from the family well.

What is the inlet and outlet on a pool?

The pump pushes filtered and treated water back into the pool through a number of inlets, also called jets. The narrow ports of the inlets create extra water pressure so the water is shot into the pool rather than merely flowing into it.

Where should pool returns be?

To give your swimming pool the best filtration you should point your return jet away from your skimmer and downward to get the best circulation and filtration. The top few inches of your pool is usually the dirtiest and for your pump to clean properly it is best to keep the water calm on the top of the water.

How long does pool plumbing last?

The plumbing should be scheduled 40 or better PVC, and if not subject to a lot of direct sunlight should last 15 to 20 years. If it gets brittle or warps it’s time to re-plumb the system. Pinhole leaks are an indicator you have waited too long.

How deep are pool PVC pipes buried?

It’s important that pipes are buried deep so that they don’t freeze. It is usually 3 to 3.5 ft deep.

Does chlorine damage PVC pipe?

Household bleach is a common solution to many situations. It can clean and disinfect a variety of surfaces. But chlorine bleach is also potentially dangerous, especially when you mix it with other chemicals. While it’s generally safe to use on PVC pipes, it might not be as effective as you think for every situation.

Can you use PEX for pool plumbing?

PEX tubing is banned from pool water useage in the United States and Canada. Cross-linked Polyethylene (PEX) Hot- and Cold- Water Distribution Systems, under Limitations on PEX Use, bullet point six: Do not use in swimming pool piping systems.

Does an inground pool need a bottom drain?

Main drains are not required in an inground swimming pool, however, they are strongly recommended and can be extremely useful in some circumstances. This is useful when replacing your pool liner. Main drains are also helpful in the filtering of water and dirt from the bottom of the pool.

Do swimming pools have overflow drains?

Swimming pool builders often install overflow drains near the rim of the pool that prevent flooding most of the time. There are steps you may have to take, however, if the flooding is excessive. After an extreme overflow, you will need to remove water from both the outside and inside of the pool.