Pool plumbing pipes wall sleeves and seals

The concrete building contractor needs to carefully plan all of the necessary penetrations through his walls for pool plumbing, electrical conduits, fire sprinklers and irrigation lines.

Sleeves - Proper Size and Planning

The swimming pool designer or contractor will specify the size of the pipes and conduits that they will have passing through the wall and their approximate location.

It is the responsibility of the contractor who is constructing the concrete walls to provide the appropriate size sleeves for the pipes and conduits to pass.  

Cast in place plastic sleeve with waterstop flange

This DOES NOT mean that the sleeves are merely one size larger than the pipe or conduit.  To properly seal a pipe passing through a sleeve, the proper spacing must be created between the pipe and the sleeve.
 

Mechanical chain link seal inside sleeve cast in concrete wall

This will allow the proper insertion and expansion of  mechanical chain link style seals.

The mechanical seal should be inserted as the pipe is passed through the sleeve during plumbing/electrical installation.  This will ensure that the pipe remains centered in the sleeve during back fill and attachment procedures.

Lack of Planning can be costly

Lazy contractors or those that fail to plan ahead will find themselves in a position of trying to locate flexible waterproof sealers or caulks, that can resist the movement of the pipes and building and the hydrostatic pressure from the soils.

Bootlegging the seal with the use of swelling cementitious sealers (that swell in the presence of water), may exert such force, that it crushes or cracks the pipe or conduit.  This will result in tremendous costs and excavating to repair.  Swelling foam sealers will not resist movement or constant immersion in water.
 
Paolo Benedetti http://www.AquaticTechnology.com 
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa 
International Aquatic Consultant, Watershape Engineering, Expert Witness, Hydraulic Designer, Landscape Design 
Office: 408-776-8220 
Email: info@aquatictechnology.com 

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