TL;DR: Replacing the Pentair 79206700 large plastic light niche is a major project taking 6–8 hours and requiring advanced skills. The niche is the housing embedded in the pool wall that holds the light fixture. Replacement is necessary when the niche is cracked, leaking, or damaged beyond repair. Professional installation strongly recommended due to complexity and potential for pool damage.
SEO Summary: This 2026 guide provides complete step-by-step instructions for replacing Pentair 79206700 large plastic light niche including removal, installation, and sealing procedures.
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Table of Contents
Component Overview and Function
The Pentair 79206700 large plastic light niche is the housing embedded in the pool wall that holds and protects the pool light fixture.
Product Description:
- Part Number: Pentair 79206700
- Type: Large plastic light niche (wet niche)
- Material: Durable plastic (UV-resistant)
- Size: Large (accommodates standard pool lights)
- Installation: Embedded in pool wall during construction
- Function: Houses and protects light fixture
Function and Purpose:
- Provides watertight housing for pool light
- Protects light fixture from pool structure
- Allows light removal for service
- Maintains electrical safety underwater
- Provides proper light positioning
- Essential for safe pool lighting
Components:
- Niche body (main housing)
- Mounting flange
- Conduit connection
- Mounting tabs or brackets
- Gasket surface for light fixture
- Grounding lug
Why Niches Fail:
- Age and UV degradation (15–25 years typical)
- Physical damage during construction or service
- Freezing damage in cold climates
- Chemical damage from unbalanced water
- Improper installation
- Ground movement or settling
Signs You Need Replacement
Recognizing failure symptoms helps determine if replacement is necessary.
Water Leakage:
- Water behind pool wall (visible wet spots)
- Water in light conduit
- Moisture in junction box
- Pool losing water (leak at niche)
- Visible cracks in niche body
- Most serious sign requiring immediate attention
Physical Damage:
- Cracked or broken niche body
- Damaged mounting flange
- Broken conduit connection
- Warped or deformed niche
- Missing mounting tabs
- Visible structural damage
Light Installation Issues:
- Light won't seat properly in niche
- Light gasket won't seal
- Mounting screw holes damaged
- Light falls into niche
- Difficulty securing light fixture
Electrical Problems:
- Repeated GFCI tripping
- Corrosion at connections
- Water in electrical components
- Grounding issues
- Unsafe electrical conditions
Tools and Materials Needed
Proper tools ensure safe, efficient replacement.
Required Tools:
- Jackhammer or demolition hammer
- Chisel and hammer
- Reciprocating saw
- Drill with masonry bits
- Trowels and finishing tools
- Wire cutters and strippers
- Measuring tape
- Level
- Safety glasses, gloves, and dust mask
Required Materials:
- Pentair 79206700 large plastic light niche
- Hydraulic cement or pool patch
- Waterproof sealant
- Conduit and fittings
- Electrical wire (as needed)
- Bonding wire (#8 AWG copper)
- Plaster or pool finish material
- Reinforcement mesh (if needed)
Optional But Recommended:
- Concrete saw for clean cuts
- Vacuum for debris removal
- Underwater epoxy
- Pool patch kit
- Professional pool plasterer
- Upgrade to LED pool light bulbs for energy savings
Preparation and Safety
Proper preparation prevents mistakes and ensures safe replacement.
Safety First:
- Turn off ALL power to pool equipment at main breaker
- Lock out breaker (prevent accidental power-on)
- Verify power off with voltage tester
- Drain pool completely (required for niche replacement)
- Never work with power on or pool full
Pool Draining:
- Drain pool to below niche location
- Complete drainage typically required
- Properly dispose of pool water per local regulations
- Protect pool finish during draining
- Plan for pool refill after completion
Workspace Preparation:
- Clear area around pool
- Set up adequate lighting
- Have all tools and materials ready
- Protect surrounding areas from debris
- Ensure safe access to work area
Professional Considerations:
- Niche replacement is complex and risky
- Potential for major pool damage if done incorrectly
- Requires pool finishing skills
- May require structural repairs
- Strongly consider professional installation
- Cost of professional vs. DIY damage
Removing Old Niche
Careful removal prevents additional damage to pool structure.
Light Fixture Removal:
- Disconnect power at junction box
- Remove light fixture from niche
- Disconnect wiring
- Remove conduit if necessary
- Set aside for reinstallation or replacement
Niche Exposure:
- Mark area around niche for removal
- Use chisel to remove plaster around niche
- Expose niche mounting flange completely
- Remove plaster 2–3 inches beyond niche
- Work carefully to avoid damaging pool shell
Niche Removal:
- Cut through niche mounting tabs
- Use reciprocating saw or grinder
- Carefully pry niche from pool wall
- May need to break niche for removal
- Remove all niche pieces and debris
- Clean opening thoroughly
Opening Preparation:
- Inspect pool shell for damage
- Repair any cracks or damage to shell
- Clean opening completely
- Remove all old sealant and debris
- Ensure opening size correct for new niche
- May need to enlarge or modify opening
Installing New Niche
Proper installation ensures watertight seal and long niche life.
Niche Preparation:
- Remove new niche from packaging
- Inspect for shipping damage
- Test-fit in opening before final installation
- Verify conduit connection aligns
- Ensure proper orientation
Conduit Connection:
- Connect conduit to niche
- Use proper fittings and sealant
- Ensure watertight connection
- Route conduit to junction box
- Pull new wire if needed
- Verify adequate wire length
Niche Positioning:
- Apply waterproof sealant to niche back
- Position niche in opening
- Ensure level and properly oriented
- Verify mounting flange flush with pool wall
- Check that niche face aligns with pool surface
- Secure temporarily while sealing
Securing Niche:
- Anchor niche to pool shell
- Use appropriate fasteners for pool type
- Ensure niche cannot move
- Verify level and alignment maintained
- Check conduit connection secure
Sealing and Waterproofing
Proper sealing prevents water intrusion and ensures long-term reliability.
Initial Sealing:
- Apply hydraulic cement around niche perimeter
- Fill gap between niche and pool shell
- Work cement into all voids
- Ensure complete coverage
- Smooth surface for plaster application
- Allow cement to cure per manufacturer instructions
Waterproofing:
- Apply waterproof membrane around niche
- Extend beyond niche area
- Ensure complete coverage
- Allow proper curing time
- Verify no gaps or voids
Plaster/Finish Application:
- Apply pool plaster or finish material
- Match existing pool finish
- Feather edges to blend with existing finish
- Ensure smooth, even surface
- Professional plasterer recommended
- Allow proper curing (typically 7–14 days)
Final Sealing:
- Apply additional sealant if needed
- Seal any visible gaps
- Ensure watertight installation
- Verify niche face clean and ready for light
Testing and Verification
Thorough testing ensures watertight installation and safe operation.
Leak Testing:
- Fill pool slowly
- Monitor niche area for leaks
- Check behind pool wall if accessible
- Inspect conduit for water
- Verify no water intrusion
- Allow 24–48 hours for observation
Light Installation:
- Install light fixture in new niche
- Ensure proper gasket seal
- Tighten mounting screw securely
- Verify light seats properly
- Check electrical connections
- Upgrade to LED color pool light bulbs
Electrical Testing:
- Verify all connections tight and dry
- Test ground continuity
- Restore power at breaker
- Test GFCI operation
- Turn on light and verify operation
- Check for any electrical issues
Final Inspection:
- Inspect niche installation quality
- Verify no leaks after 48 hours
- Check light operation
- Ensure finish quality acceptable
- Document installation for records
Conclusion and Key Takeaways
Replacing the Pentair 79206700 large plastic light niche is a major project requiring advanced skills and complete pool drainage. This critical component houses and protects the pool light fixture, and proper replacement ensures safe, leak-free operation. Professional installation strongly recommended due to complexity and potential for costly pool damage.
Essential Takeaways:
- Light niche is housing embedded in pool wall for light fixture
- Replace when cracked, leaking, or damaged beyond repair
- Requires complete pool drainage for replacement
- Turn off ALL power before starting work
- Remove old niche carefully to avoid pool shell damage
- Clean opening thoroughly before installing new niche
- Connect conduit securely with watertight fittings
- Position niche level and flush with pool wall
- Anchor niche securely to pool shell
- Seal completely with hydraulic cement
- Apply waterproof membrane around niche
- Match pool finish for professional appearance
- Allow proper curing time before filling pool
- Test for leaks thoroughly before final approval
- Professional installation strongly recommended
- Use quality LED pool lights for in-ground pools
- Upgrade to color changing LED bulbs with remote control
- Consider LED lights with color memory and synchronization
- DIY replacement risks $2,000–$10,000 in pool damage
- Shop quality pool lighting from our pool parts collection
Follow these replacement steps systematically if attempting DIY, but strongly consider professional installation. Improper niche replacement can cause major pool damage, structural issues, and costly repairs. The investment in professional installation ensures proper waterproofing, structural integrity, and long-term reliability.
