PLUMBING PRINCIPLES
Plumbing is completed prior to concrete finishing. All openings are covered to ensure that concrete does not enter, harden and block the pipes. The basic plan is to push water in one general direction. Strategically placed water inlets recycle and filter water efficiently and the water is then sucked out and returned to the pool. The more outlets you have, the less pressure from each individual outlet that will exist. The number you have is dependent on size and shape of your pool and the size of your pool pump. It is important to have a plumbing plan for your builder at the shell stage, as 40mm pipe will be placed in the steel and pushed through the back of the form work to be connected after concrete has cured. Depending on adjacent structures to your pool, plumbing may have to be completed internally and covered with concrete. This may take some pre-planning and failure to allow for this can be the result of major delays. After backfilling occurs it is important to have you pool plumbing pressure tested to ensure that there are no leaks in the system where water can be lost.
OWNER BUILDERS YOU NEED
- 40mm pipe and fittings (primary)/ 50mm pipe and fittings (secondary)
- plumbing glue
- Skimmer box
- plumbing plan
- skimmer box
TOOLS NEEDED
- Grinder
- Hand saw
- 40mm hole cutters
- Tape measure
- Duct tape/ PVC caps
THINGS TO WATCH FOR
- Suctions may be required for water features, extra pumps, large pools and heating of pools. Where more than one suction exist water suctions must be at least 1m apart to meet current safety Standards and preferably manifolded. There have been reported cases where individuals have been caught in suctions below the water line.
- Heating. Generally not a requirement in Perth, but if you think you may want heating at some stage it is important to make these arrangements during the shell stage. Pipes can be put in place and left unused. If arrangements have not been made prior then it would almost be impossible to add heating to a pool after it has been finished.
- The main problem that many pool owners face is pressure of the water returns so that the process of cycling and recycling of water is not completely efficient. Water returning to a pool will flow back via the nearest outlet and remaining water will filter out to the next opening. This can be fixed with some simple design alterations by manifolding of plumbing. this is easily explained by the following simple diagrams A and B. Where circulation problems are likely to exist it is not necessarily from an inadequate pump but more likely from scenario A. Pressure can be equalised from all outlets by the system found in scenario B where plumbing has been manifolded.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF
- Where will my pump be placed.
- Will I have heating.
- Are there structures behind my pool or on top of my pool that stop me from placing plumbing pipes behind it.
Amazing how simple it can be to communicate with people and have them understand a certain topic, you made my day.
Plumbing Perth