Adding a New Pool Return

by Dave
(Woodridge IL USA)

I would like to plug my existing return water inlet and add a new one 2 sections away. This is for convenience since we recently added a deck that covers the return.

How to I cut through the pool wall without getting metal shavings between the liner and the wall? It is a Doughboy pool.



Hi Dave. Here are the steps you should probably follow to add a new return opening. Drain the water to about the half way point and remove several of the top rails in the area you will be working in. You can now remove the top caps, retaining rods and coping. Use cloths pins to hold the liner in place until you are ready to work in behind it.

A piece of flat metal can be taped over the existing return hole to block it off. This should be placed on the inside of the wall. It is helpful to run the tape up and over the sidewall to prevent the plate from slipping.

The return hole should be cut with a hole saw, double check but I think it is 2". A wet towel can be used on the inside of the pool to catch the metal shavings, there usually aren't to many, at least not with a sharp hole saw. A helper can hold the liner back out of the way and hold the towel against the wall under where you will be cutting the hole. Cut the hole from the outside going in. When the hole is cut use the towel to clean the wall inside and out.

The pool can now be put back together, the liner cut and the return installed.