leach line instead of drain pipe for spa???

[throttle]

I am in a bit of a holding position apparently. Waiting to order new spa for havasu backyard, It is going to be partially recessed into ground. A "vault" is built to with a concrete slab and brick sides to drop spa into, leaving access for maintenance of course.

So, it needs to have a drain. The dealer of the spa sends someone over to look at what needs to be done, after he looks at it he then brings someone else out "two weeks" later to look at it, however then I am told its too "labor intensive" and he doesn't know how to bid the job. Obviously this puts the order of spa on hold until we can confirm the work can be done. Two more weeks go by (maybe 3), they send a plumbing company out to look at it, the plumbing company flat out said, "too, busy, too labor intensive, wont do it".

This gives me the impression that the dealer may not want to sell a spa (?) as he should have some pull with his contracted workers (?) to get this done for them.

I take it upon myself to call another plumbing company last Friday, the guy shows up at 7am on Sunday to take a look and suggests putting in a Leach Line, now I am confused. Can we really use a leach line in back yard for this? Do I want to do it this way? I am kinda thinking it will backfire on me somehow with an odor, backup or maybe some kind of sink hole that my fireplace, bar and bbq area all fall into(?)

Any thoughts or experiences with this, lets hear it.

 

[Moody]

Saw cut slab 18"x18"x18" and install sump pump with a float switch. Run pipe to low ground. $300 pump. $800 labor and misc materials?

 

[McRib]

Why is it to labor intensive? Is it because it's triple digits now and the tweaker labor force of havasu doesn't want to work in the heat? Does a lot of concrete need to be beat up to run this drain from the spa area?

 

[throttle]

Saw cut slab 18"x18"x18" and install sump pump with a float switch. Run pipe to low ground. $300 pump. $800 labor and misc materials?

the yard and area where the vault will be built is all dirt still, completely un-landscaped from when I had house built.

I forgot to mention that I think the part that they are saying is "too labor intensive" is digging the trenches to run drain pipe across back yard and down the side of the house (mainly down the side of the house where its too narrow to use a backhoe).

 

[throttle]

Why is it to labor intensive? Is it because it's triple digits now and the tweaker labor force of havasu doesn't want to work in the heat? Does a lot of concrete need to be beat up to run this drain from the spa area?

everyone in havasu is swamped with work now, and imo they are handpicking the jobs they want to do. Another pool guy told me two months ago he was so busy he couldn't do the job.

no concrete to bust up, just digging ditches so we can bury the bitches.

 

[Forensic]

the yard and area where the vault will be built is all dirt still, completely un-landscaped from when I had house built.

I forgot to mention that I think the part that they are saying is "too labor intensive" is digging the trenches to run drain pipe across back yard and down the side of the house (mainly down the side of the house where its too narrow to use a backhoe).

How deep does it have to be? I'm thinking a trencher from the local equipment rental and your done in a day.

 

[Roaddogg 4040]

I wouldn't use a leach line at all. You need to make sure that you can get water out of the hole in case of a big rain storm and a leach line won't do that for your. The sump deal is a really simple set up to install and use. They are used all over the U.S. in homes with basements and work quite well, most of the time. Shouldn't be a big deal to get done even in Havasu. Well, maybe a little pain in the ass here in Havasu but nothing that a little effort on your part can't overcome...:thumbsup

Steve

 

[McRib]

Do you have a labor ready home Depot Mexican work force out there? Get two and 2 shovels throw some money at them and a few beers with a sammich and get er done!

 

[mjc]

Do you have a labor ready home Depot Mexican work force out there? Get two and 2 shovels throw some money at them and a few beers with a sammich and get er done!

I have found little to no home depot work force anywhere in Havasu when I wanted some things done

 

[throttle]

How deep does it have to be? I'm thinking a trencher from the local equipment rental and your done in a day.

View attachment 410867

I have a guy that does trenching, he actually graded the property when it was built, he has been coming over a lot lately to move dirt and gravel for me with backfilling the retaining walls. He is on my top 5 list of peeps that do what they say and show up in havasu. Unfortunately, my schedule this past several days didn't work with his, but in talking with him over the phone this was his thought too! My fingers are crossed for him to be able to do this as I know of his other work puts this small job to shame.

the leach line thing really is what I am trying to learn more about, even tho I don't think its the way to do my job.

 

[Havaduner]

Are you saying the "vault" needs a drain for rain water/spilled spa water? or the Spa needs a drain line to the street/sewer? Is this a city code thing?
MY above ground spa has a drain line, but it doesn't go anywhere. I've got a sump pump and a hose. If I need to drain it I run the hose to the street and turn on the pump.

 

[t&y]

The leach line is heavily dependent on the ground abosorbing the water... as I'm sure you know... You would have to calculate it's total volume/ability to drain and exceed that of the vault you build for your spa and then some. Probably a bit more than a single line if you're sinking the thing in the ground. Rent the trencher and handle it. I ran sprinkler line for a 1/3 acre worth of back yard in a few hours with one of those things. Just make sure you know where ALL your plumbing and gas lines are before you run that trencher anywhere near your house.

 

[throttle]

Are you saying the "vault" needs a drain for rain water/spilled spa water? or the Spa needs a drain line to the street/sewer? Is this a city code thing?
MY above ground spa has a drain line, but it doesn't go anywhere. I've got a sump pump and a hose. If I need to drain it I run the hose to the street and turn on the pump.

if the spa needed to be drained or when you come over and do a big belly flop the water will have someplace to go other than fill the vault space around the spa. I will tee into the drain line across the yard for the decking and the bar area too (not the sink tho, that goes to sewer).

 

[Old Texan]

Are you saying the "vault" needs a drain for rain water/spilled spa water? or the Spa needs a drain line to the street/sewer? Is this a city code thing?
MY above ground spa has a drain line, but it doesn't go anywhere. I've got a sump pump and a hose. If I need to drain it I run the hose to the street and turn on the pump.

This was my thought as I read the thread. The only time you'll have a lot of water is when and if you drain the spa.

It's all about the local codes as to this being acceptable.

Edit: How many belly flops does one do in a spa???????? Or is there some X-Rated action going on here?:yikes

 

[t&y]

if the spa needed to be drained or when you come over and do a big belly flop the water will have someplace to go other than fill the vault space around the spa. I will tee into the drain line across the yard for the decking and the bar area too (not the sink tho, that goes to sewer).

Wait.... So you are running a leach line to an "t" in an exisisting drain line? How is that hard at all? Sound like your sales people are either really lazy or like you said, don't want to sell the spa.

 

[McRib]

Do be honest I don't think a leach line is a bad idea. How much water would ever drain on it's own? Stand alone spas require a valve to be opened manually to drain right? The only time you'd dump the spa is to change the water which would maybe be 1 time a year. For that you could rent a pump and hose from HD and be done in 10 min. You dont have to drain all the water when changing it. You will loose for water to summer evaporation more than anything.

 

[throttle]

Wait.... So you are running a leach line to an "t" in an exisisting drain line? How is that hard at all? Sound like your sales people are either really lazy or like you said, don't want to sell the spa.

No existing line, but the vibe I'm getting here continues to support what I want done. The drain lines need to be dug and brought down the side of the house to the street and pass on the leach line deal.

 

[throttle]

Do be honest I don't think a leach line is a bad idea. How much water would ever drain on it's own? Stand alone spas require a valve to be opened manually to drain right? The only time you'd dump the spa is to change the water which would maybe be 1 time a year. For that you could rent a pump and hose from HD and be done in 10 min. You dont have to drain all the water when changing it. You will loose for water to summer evaporation more than anything.

The volume calculation and absorption ratio are key factors. The spa runs so clean that it does need to be drained. But if it did, it's almost 800 gallons of water (not including spilled drinks and someone peeing in it). I just don't know anything about the leach deal.

 

[HavasuHank]

Do be honest I don't think a leach line is a bad idea. How much water would ever drain on it's own? Stand alone spas require a valve to be opened manually to drain right? The only time you'd dump the spa is to change the water which would maybe be 1 time a year. For that you could rent a pump and hose from HD and be done in 10 min. You dont have to drain all the water when changing it. You will loose for water to summer evaporation more than anything.

I agree with Ribby. A leach line sounds like a pretty good idea.

 

[Mandelon]

Is the drain line for rain water so the spa doesn't sit in what is essentially a giant shower pan and get swamped?
Or is the drain line for the spa when you drain the water out of it?

 

[HavasuHank]

What about a french drain?

 

[Havaduner]

This was my thought as I read the thread. The only time you'll have a lot of water is when and if you drain the spa.

It's all about the local codes as to this being acceptable.

Edit: How many belly flops does one do in a spa???????? Or is there some X-Rated action going on here?:yikes

I will not comment on the x rated action,,,, but, I can tell you my spa has many times been over capacity on people, and I've done many a belly flop!!

 

[Havaduner]

Cam,
Sounds like this could easily be a DIY project, or better yet, rent the trencher, get the materials and tools and have an RDP get together!! You'll have an over engineered project that will be done in no time!! Just make sure to keep the beer locked up till after the equipment is done running!:drink

 

[Bobby V]

Get rid of the concrete pad and install gravel. Dig it down about a foot. You can pour a curb to have the spa set on if your worried about the spa sinking.

Or if your really want a concrete pad you have them install large weep holes. This is what we do in the vaults we install for our fire mains.

 

[pipemn]

Get rid of the concrete pad and install gravel. Dig it down about a foot. You can pour a curb to have the spa set on if your worried about the spa sinking.

just a thought how deep is this "vault" you could have some grade issues trying to gravity out of it,also deep vault=deep trenches=more digging,if your soil conditions are anything like most havasu material the "ditch witch"type trenchers don't usually fair well

 

[Warlock1]

Forget the leech line idea and the french drain idea. You shouldn't build this with the mindset of draining the thing every now and then. You need to build the drainage system with the thought of the monsoons that happen out here. Remember the flooding that occurs on this side of the mountains when the skies open up and dump for 30 minutes or more. Ask me how I know....

 

[GET SOME]

Is the drain line for rain water so the spa doesn't sit in what is essentially a giant shower pan and get swamped?
Or is the drain line for the spa when you drain the water out of it?

X2 you will need something to drain the vault if you are back in OC for work. If there was no vault you could get a harbor freight sump pump and drain it where ever you want.

 

[throttle]

I think the pictures may help you guys understand more. I think it's pretty clear where I plan on dropping it in. The dirt will get dug out, a vault built that needs to drain either to the street or a leach line in back yard. If you look closely I put in a 4" drainpipe under the wall footing. The wall is about 40" high. The top of the spa will be about 0-6" taller.

The spa is about 38" high, however about half of it will sit in the vault. Then the decking goes around the vault.

All good input, thanks guys!

 

[Heylam]

I would just put some weep holes in the bottom of the wall, and then grade the yard so any runoff would be routed down the side yard to the street. Wouldn't be any different then before you ever started construction as far as runoff, just wouldn't allow the vault to collect and hold water.

 

[throttle]

I would just put some weep holes in the bottom of the wall, and then grade the yard so any runoff would be routed down the side yard to the street. Wouldn't be any different then before you ever started construction as far as runoff, just wouldn't allow the vault to collect and hold water.

So if I need drain the spa, just 800 gallons of water erode the back and side yard?

 

[Heylam]

No, spa will have an attachment for a hose for drainage. Just drain from hose to street.

 

[throttle]

No, spa will have an attachment for a hose for drainage. Just drain from hose to street.

That thought sits better with me than the way I perceived your first post.

 

[Heylam]

People drain their pools in Havasu all the time. All done through hose to street, and you're talking thousands and thousands gallons of water.

 

[2Driver]

Can you legally drain to the street? In a lot of cities you can't. If you can there's your answer.

I'm confused are you on septic or sewer?

 

[Heylam]

Havasu pools aren't tied in to sewer and drain to street. Only can drain between 10 pm and 6 am.

 

[awesome1]

If your on city sewer your plumbing from house should go out the front of house. But there should be a clean out somewhere along the back that is usually put in incase they have to snake the drain under house. Maybe look for it and based on your elevations maybe you could tie into it and run it thru the house plumbing. Then just install a pee trap somewhere inline to keep odor out.