How to Fix a Busted Pipe on an In-Ground Pool

Look at the area around the pool for wet or soggy areas. Within this area, determine the spot that is the dampest or closest to the center. This point is the origin of the leak and the area where the busted pipe will likely be found. If no wet areas are visible, check for a pump that produces air bubbles or the location where dirt may be entering the pool.

Use a garden trowel to carefully dig about three inches below the surface of the ground at the spot where the leak is originating. The pipe can be buried up to 12 inches under the ground, so it is important to be careful not to dig too vigorously or too deeply at once. Continue digging until the pipe is reached.

Look at the exposed pipe for cracks or broken pieces. Once you've identified the break, dig further along the length of the pipe, if necessary, to expose the entire damaged area.

Make the hole larger by using the garden trowel to remove all soil, so that 18 inches of the pipe is exposed in either direction from the cracked or broken area, along the length of the pipe. Remove all soil four to six inches in all directions from the pipe, so that there will be ample space to work during the replacement step. Brush excess mud from the outside of the pipe.

Determine the size of the pipe to be replaced. Use a PVC pipe cutter to remove an undamaged, one-inch section of pipe directly adjacent to the location of the break. Measure the diameter between the inside walls of the piece of pipe that was just removed. Record the value. Use a PVC pipe cutter to remove the busted area of pipe. Use a tape measure to find the length of the pipe needed to fill the gap in piping left by removing the busted pipe. Record the measurements to be used at the local hardware store when purchasing replacement pipe.

Clean any mud from the ends of the pipe where the replacement pipe will be attached, so that the glue can be allowed to set. Apply primer to one end of the replacement pipe. Wait about 10 seconds and lightly apply PVC glue onto the area that was just primed. Slide the pipe into a PVC coupler by using a slight twisting motion. Repeat this process for the other end of the pipe and then when actually attaching the replacement pipe to the main line. Check the label on the PVC glue to determine how long it will take before the glue is cured and water can be run through the pipe.