How far underground are swimming pool pipes buried?

Question

I am looking for a leak in my inground pool pipes, and I need to know how far I must dig. I suspect a tree root is getting into the pipe, and letting air into the filtration system.

Answer 1

Some are fairly deep and others may not be. The drain in the bottom of the pool will deep. The pipes for the side outlets will probably be more closer to the surface...probably just as deep as they are on the wall of the pool. The climate really shouldn't have any bearing on the depth of the pipes as the freezestat should turn on the pump when it's cold enough. This will prevent the pipes from freezing.

Answer 2

generally, leaks occur at pipe connections (for ex. 90's .. 45's coupling's etc). and since you say your getting air into the system that tells me that it is a supply line  to the filter , and most of the leaks I've dealt with have been around the skimmer where your connections are made...Your local pool company should have a way of finding the leak... It involves isolating the lines with plugs then using a special vacuum ... find out which line loses pressure and you found your leak.... i'ts alot less costly and messy digging around blindly.........

Answer 3

It varies greatly with the part of the country your in.  But, seeing how most pools are conduscent to warmer climates, I would guess that your lines are from 12" to 24" deep, in order to avoid freezing in the Winter.

Farther North, some lines could be as deep as 3' or more to avoid freezing.

Good luck with it.