How to Plumb an In-Ground Pool

In-ground pools add beauty and recreational enjoyment to your home. Family and friends can gather for hours of fun and fellowship. Installing an in-ground pool can get expensive. If you do part of the work yourself, you can save some money.

Instructions

1. Save money on your in-ground pool (or repair an old, deteriorated one) by doing the plumbing yourself. You can purchase an in-ground pool plumbing kit to make this project simpler and to give you detailed instructions concerning problems you may run into. Swimming pool supply stores often carry these kits for retail purchase. If they don't have one in stock, they will usually order one for you. You'll need to measure the outside perimeters of your pool to determine what size kit you'll need to purchase.

2. Install your skimmer baskets in the side of your pool and the drain in the bottom of your pool. Basically, they just slide in. Both have couplings for 1 ½-inch pipe. The drain could have a coupling of up to 3 inches in diameter when you plumb an in-ground pool.

3. Prepare your PVC pipe by measuring the lengths needed. Cut with a hacksaw or PVC saw. An electric cut-off saw can also be used for this. After cutting, de-burr the inside of the pipe and also the outside for a smooth fit. Clean the outside of the pipe with PVC cleaner where couplings will be fitted.

4. Glue your PVC pipes in the area where your have laid them out around the perimeter of the pool. Use 1 ½-inch coupling to attach your straight runs of PVC pipe. Use 90-degree couplings or 45-degree couplings for whatever turns you have laid out around the perimeter as you plumb your in-ground pool.

5. Cap off the ends of your pipes so dirt and debris will not get in. Leave caps on until time to hook up to your pump or filters.