{"id":6147,"date":"2019-11-14T03:28:00","date_gmt":"2019-11-13T17:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nuflow.net\/pool-pipe-repairs-under-swimming-pools\/"},"modified":"2019-11-14T03:28:00","modified_gmt":"2019-11-13T17:28:00","slug":"pool-pipe-repairs-under-swimming-pools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nuflow.net\/pool-pipe-repairs-under-swimming-pools\/","title":{"rendered":"Pool Pipe Repairs Under Swimming Pools"},"content":{"rendered":"

Enquire about our pipe repair services<\/a><\/p>\n

It’s an iconic element of the Australian leisure identity; a summer barbie around the backyard swimming pool. Even in New Zealand, backyard pool ownership rates are surprisingly high – thanks to the wonders of pool heating systems with nearly 10,000 private pools inspected by Auckland Council in 2018 alone.<\/p>\n

But as we float beneath the swaying palm fronds intoxicated by the fragrance of the frangipanis and gardenias bordering the path, how much thought do we give to the vital network of pipes below us that keep the whole thing pumping?<\/p>\n

This article explains just what types of pipes usually lay under and around backyard or residential complex pools, how to identify whether there’s an issue in one of those pipes, and what to do if repairs are needed.<\/p>\n

Who’d put pipes under my swimming pool in the first place?<\/h2>\n

Pipes for new pools<\/h3>\n

\"\"As temperatures rise each summer, many house-hunters in this part of the world have a backyard pool (or room for one) on their list of priorities. When a new house comes complete with the sparkling jewel already installed, it’s easy to forget about technicalities, such as where the pipes have been put, but if you’re having one built in your yard it can suddenly become obvious that a future problem in those pipes could cause headaches.<\/p>\n

When Amy and Rob had a pool installed in their Gold Coast hinterland property, complete with spa jets and a water feature, they had no idea how extensive the pipe network required would be.<\/p>\n

“I really hadn’t thought about things like pipes,” Amy said.<\/p>\n

“I mean I guess if I’d put my mind to it I’d have figure out the water has to get from the filter box to the pump and back again, and that the spa jets needed air and whatever, but I’d been more concerned with things like where I wanted the steps and what colour tiles would work best than to be thinking about pipes.<\/p>\n

“When the plumber finished the first stage of his work, however, I remember standing there looking at the network of PVC pipes he’d laid in the dirt under where the pool was going and it suddenly struck me what a nightmare it would be to have to fix one of them if they broke at some point.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Other reasons you might have broken pipes under a swimming pool<\/h2>\n

Swimming pools built above existing pipes and drains<\/h3>\n

Apart from the pool’s own water and drainage system, there can be complications when above-ground or shallow pools and spas, or even an in-ground pool’s surrounding decking, pergola or paving, are constructed over the top of (or near) existing sewer or storm water drainage pipes.<\/p>\n

When drainage plans are out-dated, incorrect or simply ‘missing in action’, pools and other structures can be built above them by subsequent owners, some of whom don’t even give a second thought to where the existing underground services lie.<\/p>\n

Even if there is an awareness of the possibility of the new pool being above pipes, some backyards are configured in such a way that there is little option other than to install the pool as planned and hope for the best in terms of whether the pipes will need repairs in the future or not.<\/p>\n

Tree root invasion by surrounding landscaping<\/h3>\n

Then there’s the issue of what’s planted around the pool. There’s no doubt the landscaping around a pool can often go a long way toward enhancing its exotic or tropical appeal. But sadly, without professional landscaping advice many homeowners fall into the trap of planting certain species of plants that have the ‘look’ and are low maintenance, but which also have highly invasive root systems.<\/p>\n

One such example is the hardy almost invincible rubber tree which is seen in many Australian backyards. In dry times, the roots of such trees seek out whatever water sources they can find, and cracks or poorly glued joins in PVC pool pipes can mean they enter and crack those pipes wide open with careless abandon.<\/p>\n

Recent trends<\/h3>\n

\"\"Finally, contemporary urban dwelling trends toward higher-density living, smaller and maintenance-free yards, and high-end, built outdoor entertaining spaces with individualised, boutique pool and spa options and extensive paving and landscaping all add up to increased potential for serious issues when the pipes beneath these spaces fail.<\/p>\n

Many inner-city terraces and homes are extending their living spaces by enhancing their yards in this way, with stunning results, but when things go wrong and they find they need a pool pipe repair, or that they have a broken sewer pipe running beneath their much-loved, inground plunge-pool, the consequences can be devastating.<\/p>\n

Common signs of broken pipes under swimming pools<\/h3>\n

All of the above means it’s important for relevant homeowners to be aware of the warning signs that indicate there could be trouble brewing in the pipes under their pool.<\/p>\n

Pools can leak water through any of the pipes, fittings, joins or bends in the plumbing system or through the shell of the pool itself. Broken, blocked or collapsed pipes under or beside swimming pools and their surrounds can be very costly and difficult to identify, because water around a pool is expected. It can take months or even years for someone to recognise that the wet area of deck, garden or paving is there rain, hail or shine and even when no-one’s swum for a week.<\/p>\n

But wet areas around the pool aren’t the only way of recognising you might need a pipe repair under your pool.<\/p>\n

Signs of a broken or leaking pipe under a swimming pool include:<\/p>\n