Noob from OKC taking on liner install

[GaryT]

I had a return line leaking water behind the liner.
Upon closer inspection I discovered that I had cracked the thread with the winter plug.
I put a bit of silicone on the crack each spring.
Saved digging up the cement

[okcnewbie]

Gary- I wish I could be so lucky. I actually bought a couple of rubber plugs from a leak detection website. The plugs fit a few inches beyond the threads. I was going to try and isolate the two returns but I'm afraid to do much more digging close to the pump/and filter. If I dig anymore I risk damaging the suction lines that are under the cement.

[okcnewbie]

I rented a cement saw from home Depot and cut a couple 1 1/2 foot strips out of the concrete directly over the returns. Let's just say Tim the tool man would love this tool. .... Very cool. Started digging down to the return and didn't finish last night. There are many roots from nearby bushes. I still can't see how the fitting is stabilized. So far all I can see is PVC.

[PoolDoc]

Diamond blade concrete saws are SO much better than those nasty carborundum blade saws I used in the 80's: incredibly noisy, incredibly dusty, & incredibly slow. I have a little 4" diamond circular wet saw I use occasionally.

[okcnewbie]

Dug down to both of the returns and removed them. A sharp chisel made quick work of the dirt and roots. I'm going to run the returns outside of the cement about 1 ft underground. I guess I should use PVC.



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[okcnewbie]

Installed the new return lines. I probably should have installed a new skimmer as well. Liner is supposed to be in this week. I ordered and have a pool trowel to help me work on the bottom of the pool.

[okcnewbie]

Pictures of my little rig for testing for leaks and some of the new plumbing. ......(sending)