BAD POOLS
And what should have been done
Here we will show some examples of the consequences of bad pool practices, and some examples of what should be.
This is a photo of a job where we contracted to tear out a non-Leisure Pool that had a catastrophic failure. This pool was backfilled with
sand, which partly contributed to it's demise. When we started pulling back the concrete apron we documented what happens to sand when it's used as a backfill material. It settles, everytime.
"So, what do you backfill with?" you ask. click here...
Same pool here, different mistake. They glued their PVC Flex
directly into the pool return. This puts undue force on the joint since the flex needs to turn and follow the side of the pool to get around to the trench where the drain and return lines are going to the equipment pad.
PVC Flex is a tricky animal. But, if done correctly it is the best way to plumb a pool. What should have happened here is the end of the flex glued to a 90* elbow FIRST, and then the elbow glued to the return fitting. This allows you to ensure that the flex has maximum glued surface area in contact with it's terminal fitting, AND the elbow allows you to point the flex directly parralel with the pool side on it's way to the plumbing trench.
Brand new, unaltered polyester resin dries white. So, why is the back of this pool brown??
This a result of mixing resins. Which for things like a shower stall or bathtub might be ok. But for a fiberglass pool, it is a vital part of the structural integrity. For example with mixed resin you get 5500psi for flexural strength, 5000psi for tensile strength, and it starts distorting at 98*F. Versus high performance isophthalic resin that Leisure Pools uses has 21,650psi for flexural strength, 16,000psi for tensile strength, and doesn't start distorting until 215*F.
This pool is not installed yet. In fact it just sitting in a field with a phone number spray painted on the side of it (which contrasts great versus the cheap mixed resin brown color).
I don't know how, or why, this pool split like this. But I do know that now that I can see how thin the wall is, that it was bound to happen sooner or later. So, how thick should a fiberglass pool be?? click here...
This pool is another victim of sand backfill (the pressure at the main drain got to be so great that it put a 4' long crack in the fiberglass). Notice the bulge in the wall, and wavyness of the wall at the tile.
Solution: Use a pool with a stronger wall, and gravel backfill.
Because I think it's such an important point. Here's somemore sand backfill photos for you. This one busted the main drain fitting.
I didn't even bother with an arrow on this last one. Just imagine the stress that drain fitting was under with that much bow in the wall.
DEAR, LORD!
Flex pipe above ground, no shut offs, no unions before and after equipment, dwv fittings instead of SCH40, and just flat ugly.
PRETTY!
This is NOT how you plumb a fountain.
Much better.
