Do I want a hydrostatic valve?

[ChristopherDB]

I was reviewing my engineering plans sent to the city and it shows a hydrostatic valve was supposed to be in the main drain. The builder either chose not to do this or forgot. I asked them to put one in and they said they never do because it leaks or ends up causing more problems than it's worth. Instead they just screwed in a PVC cleanout plug.

Is the valve really not work the headache they are claiming or should I insist on one being installed?

Assuming if the pool was to ever be drained we would unscrew the plug, do I even care that I don't have a hydrostatic valve or are there other benefits that would warrant me to go back to builder and put in the valve per plans.

I'm in South Florida and pool is gunite.

 

[ajw22]

Whatever trouble a hydrostatic valve may cause will be less trouble then a popped pool will cause. If the valve springs rust then the valve is unscrewed and replaced. Not a big deal.

A popped pool is a big deal and what the valve prevents.

What should you do when the pool needs to be drained for replastering? Or your equipment pops a big leak and drains your pool while you area out? Which we have seen happen.

There are many pics on the net of popped Florida pools. Likely from builders like yours.

Maybe you have the same builder as this member...

Hydrostatic valve, Hydrostatic cap, vs well point with sump pump vs

Hello community! Well point with sump pump vs Hydrostatic valve vs hydrostatic cap question/advice. I'm having a pool installed in southwest Florida. The PB put gravel underneath the entire bottom of the pool shell, put a 2" well point tube at the deep end that ran until the Gunite was shot...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[ChristopherDB]

PB said they installed a channel drain under the pool that is plumbed back to the equipment pad which a pump should be attached to in the event the pool is drained. They were willing to put in the valve but again advised not necessary and they haven't done it in the last 1000 pools they built. Also said they would only warranty it for 1 year due to all the issues they anticipate. Thoughts?

 

[ajw22]

PB said they installed a channel drain under the pool that is plumbed back to the equipment pad which a pump should be attached to in the event the pool is drained.

I don’t understand that. Show me some pics of how that is installed.

They were willing to put in the valve but again advised not necessary and they haven't done it in the last 1000 pools they built. Also said they would only warranty it for 1 year due to all the issues they anticipate. Thoughts?

Get the hydrostatic valve.

There are YouTube videos showing how it is replaced. Not a big deal if it has a problem.

 

[CrystalRiver]

Not to mention, if the engineering plans sent to the city call for the valve, your permit probably requires the valve.