Exacavation for new pool

Hi all,

I am planning to put in a swimming pool at my house and contacted dial-before-you-dig/SA Water, and got myself a sewer plan. I am having a little trouble interpreting the plans but it seems to suggest that there may be an underlying sewage pipe either right under, or very close to where I am going to place the pool.


My questions are:
1. Can anyone tell me what the standard depth (if there is a standard) of the main sewer pipe leading out to the street? The pool people will probably need to dig to a depth of 3m - is this likely to damage the sewer pipe?

2. On the plans provided by SA Water, there is a pipework diagram with letters eg. IP, L, J and T, followed by numbers eg 3/6, 4/6, 4/9. What do these mean eg. L 4/6. Do they provide any information about the location of the pipes?

3. What is the cheapest way to go about diverting the pipework, should I need to? The pool installers suggest that I have a plumber "on-standby" while they do the excavation, so that the sewer can be repaired and diverted should it be broken. It seems like a silly exercise just to call a plumber out to stand around while they dig a big hole that may or may not involve the sewer. Should I get someone out to definitively locate the pipework first? Who is the best to do this, an excavator, or a plumber?


4. Anyone have experience with dial-a-digger in Adelaide? They seem to provide a comprehensive service according to their website, from underground pipe location, to excavation and concrete cutting? What do people think about their pricing/service? In addition to potentially diverting the sewage pipe, I will need to remove a concrete driveway, a section of brick wall, and level the site. Can anyone recommend any other service provider/contractors for the job?

Any input appreciated.:U

1. No such thing as "standard depth" per se. There may be a cleanout or inspection hole near the street, from which the depth at that point may be established. Back to the house, there's generally a minimum slope required by code, but that only defines the minimum depth (actually highest elevation with respect to sea level).

2. This is only a wild guess, without a picture of the notations. They sound somewhat like pipe fittings. The fraction-like expressions could represent pipe diameter transitions. Generally, smaller pipes lead to larger pipes to reduce blockage.

Hopefully, someone in Adelaide will chime in regarding local services for pipe locating. If that turns out to be too dear, relocating or re-designing the pool might be an option.

Joe

I'll chime in with.....Are you sure you really, really want a pool? We put one in 4 years ago, the kids grew up and don't use it and it costs a fortune to maintain! Does look though.

I would have a plumber on standby just in case you hit the sewer pipe. Perhaps ask him to have your job last in the day just in case.

We hit a sewer pipe on our pool dig and it was 5m away on the plan :rolleyes:. No biggie though.

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Originally Posted by ZoomJC

Hi all,
3. What is the cheapest way to go about diverting the pipework, should I need to? The pool installers suggest that I have a plumber "on-standby" while they do the excavation, so that the sewer can be repaired and diverted should it be broken. It seems like a silly exercise just to call a plumber out to stand around while they dig a big hole that may or may not involve the sewer. Should I get someone out to definitively locate the pipework first? Who is the best to do this, an excavator, or a plumber?

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Perhaps the pool installers might like to pay to have a plumber on standby while they dig the hole.... they will have a pipe map after all :)

Personally I would like to know for sure exactly where the pipes are and how deep they are before I start digging, there are mobs around that will locate pipes for you, no idea of the cost though...

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Originally Posted by Terrian

Perhaps the pool installers might like to pay to have a plumber on standby while they dig the hole.... they will have a pipe map after all :)

Personally I would like to know for sure exactly where the pipes are and how deep they are before I start digging, there are mobs around that will locate pipes for you, no idea of the cost though...

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But the pool is going in isnt it? Does it matter. Cave trolls could be living down there and they still gotta come out :)

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Originally Posted by dazzler

But the pool is going in isnt it? Does it matter. Cave trolls could be living down there and they still gotta come out :)

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true, but if you know where the pipes are exactly, you will now what you are going to have to do, rather than have a nasty surprise :) (please, no toilet flushing !!!)

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Originally Posted by Terrian

true, but if you know where the pipes are exactly, you will now what you are going to have to do, rather than have a nasty surprise :) (please, no toilet flushing !!!)

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I once fitted a dishwasher and took out the s bend under the sink to drill it out. Then washed my hands - in the sink :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by dazzler

I once fitted a dishwasher and took out the s bend under the sink to drill it out. Then washed my hands - in the sink :rolleyes:

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ROFL, that just made my night :-)