Pool Systems Introduction: Difference between revisions
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→Static Line (Water Level Monitoring)
Matt Parnell (talk | contribs) |
Matt Parnell (talk | contribs) |
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A static line (water pipe) can be used to monitor pool water level from a remote location. In the past, a 2" PVC water line for this purpose was run between the pool and the pump house. The "inlet" is located on the west side the dive well, just below the gutter trough. It is run into the pump house, at which point an electrical probe was used to establish water level for automatic fill. | A static line (water pipe) can be used to monitor pool water level from a remote location. In the past, a 2" PVC water line for this purpose was run between the pool and the pump house. The "inlet" is located on the west side the dive well, just below the gutter trough. It is run into the pump house, at which point an electrical probe was used to establish water level for automatic fill. | ||
The electrical probe and associated electronics were removed from the pump house in 2020, having been (apparently) out of service for some time. | |||
The static line is abandoned, no longer usable as described in the history section below. | |||
=== History === | === History === | ||
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An investigation spanning 2020-2021 determined that at least two prior events have rendered this pipe unusable. | An investigation spanning 2020-2021 determined that at least two prior events have rendered this pipe unusable. | ||
In 2020 the pool closing contractor was asked to perform a pressure test on the pipe. Upon pressurization, water and air bubbled from the ground just outside of the pump house entry door. The site was later excavated by hand. Observed damage to the pipe suggests that it was crushed during installation of a fence post footing (2014). Further digging revealed that damage extends well under the concrete pool deck. It is not clear whether the fence contractor (and B&G) knew that this pipe was already abandoned at the time. | |||
Despite a poor attempt at capping off the static line at the pool, water was observed to flow out of the pool into the ground (shortly after pool opening in 2021). This raised the urgency of the repair as a not-insignificant amount of treated/heated pool water was being continuously lost into the ground. It is assumed that this had been happening for many years. | |||
Plumbing and concrete contractors were brought in during | Plumbing and concrete contractors were brought in during July 2021 to make repairs. At this point, it was assumed that damage was relatively contained, and a full repair would be feasible. Unfortunately, it was found that damage to the pipe is extensive, extending well beyond that caused by the fence installation. It is believed that many years of water expansion (and ground heave) led to widespread cracking; the pipe was not drained. Given the situation, a decision was made to cut out a small section of concrete by the pool entry point (near the gutter) to find a portion of "good pipe" to cap. Priority shifted to strictly stopping water leakage; the static line would be abandoned. Shockingly, it was discovered that the pipe was broken off within a couple feet of exiting the pool, with no apparent effort made to cap. A repair downstream would never have been possible. It is not clear when this break was made, but it seems possible it extended back into the late 1990's during concrete replacement. | ||
As of July 2021, the pipe is capped off near the pool to eliminate all leaks. Concrete has been re-poured. A portion of pipe has been left in the event that a new static line is ever run. Due to budget constraints, no new static line was run; what is left in the ground is abandoned. The 2" pipe in the pump house will be capped off and labeled. | As of July 2021, the pipe is capped off near the pool to eliminate all leaks. Concrete has been re-poured. A portion of pipe has been left in the event that a new static line is ever run. Due to budget constraints, no new static line was run; what is left in the ground is abandoned. The 2" pipe in the pump house will be capped off and labeled. | ||