The Swimming Pool Plumbing leaks are an aspect of maintaining your pool that causes some pool owners anxious, however performing PVC plumbing repairs or installing replacement or new equipment in the plumbing pipes isn’t difficult. Repair tools and materials made of PVC are also easy to find, and everything you require is available at any home or hardware store. We also carry a variety of typical PVC plumbing fittings within our plumbing parts for pool department.
The HiPools Swimming pool builders are dedicated to providing top quality work that is worth the price. To assist the customer in every way, you should be sure they supply you with the most up-to-date pool equipment as well as accurate technical specifications to ensure that our Swimming Pool Construction projects are efficient and creative.
Doing repairs to your pool’s plumbing could be a straightforward weekend job that can keep thousands of dollars within your pockets! In spite of the dramatic image that is used, the majority of leaks in your pool’s plumbing are not in the surface and easy to access.
Fixing Pool Leaks:
Pool Leaks come in many varieties. From small drips, to the huge water gusher. For smaller drips, I’m often told “It will not take the water out!”, and unless it’s pouring into the motor or causing issues or causing problems, the slow drip on an plumbing fitting – or the slow flow from the pump isn’t enough to cause any significant loss of water in the pool and generally will not get any worse.
But more extensive leaks in the pool plumbing could cause issues and require to be repaired, which can be done by replacing weak glue joints or broken fittings by removing the old ones and gluing on fittings made of PVC pipes and fittings.
Suction Side Leaks
The suction side is the entire plumbing system prior to the impeller of the pool pump, that carries water that is under suction or in vacuum. This includes the skimmer as well as principal drain suction pipe, the fittings, and valves that connect to on the side of the pump. A problem with the suction side draws in air when the pump’s operating and then leak water to the outside (usually) after the pump has been turned off. The most commonly encountered suction side issue can be caused by a shrunken pipe which is a one with threads PVC fitting that is inserted into an opening on the back of the. It’s so common that we’ve written an entire blog article on fittings on the pump for repair. Leaks in the suction side can be repaired using silicone or pool putty for repairs that are temporary but they’ll require cutting out and replaced by fittings or pipes that are new to get the optimal outcomes.
Suction side valves could be damaged or cracked or leaky, requiring replacement. However, it’s not easy to simply replace only one suction valve. usually, it’s necessary for the suction manifold to be replaced or the majority of the pipes from the bottom to the pump. This could be due to the fact that each of the Tees or 90’s bump up against each and the other, or other PVC fittings left from the previous pipe or fitting repair may make repairs in the future impossible.
Pressure Side Leaks
After the impeller is installed, the water is pushed through the impeller, and any small crack or void can leak water while the pump is operating and frequently even when it is shut off. The equipment in the pool (pump filter, heater or chlorinator) will be prone to leaks from time time, but we’re talking about leaks in the plumbing fittings and pipes that connect to the pool, as well as the equipment used in the pool. The most frequent plumbing leaks in the pool from the pressure angle are the glue joint (where pipes are glued to a fitting, such as an MTA, 90degor 45deg, or coupling) or threaded joint that are in which PVC female and male connections are constructed.
Pressure is a problem, and there’s no way to repair the leak in the plumbing of an inground pool at the point of pressure. You cannot wrap it up with leak-stopping tape or pouring epoxy on the area will not work. Wrap it up a hundred times using duct tape, and you’ll slow down the flow, however it’s likely to leak! The suction side leaks are patchable using pool putty or other sealants , on the outside of the pipe since the sealant draws into the crack during suction. However, pressure-side pool leaks cannot be repaired efficiently by the external side (or from inside! ) The repair must be removed and repaired or replaced.
Underground Leaks
Underground pool pipes are not the main cause leaks in the pool, but they could be damaged by freezing damage trees, tree roots settlement decks, shifting decks as well as shifting soil. Flex pipe (Flexible PVC pipe) is susceptible to damage by earwigs and chlorine and should not be used for use in underground pools. Removing the underground flexible PVC pipe using the rigid PVC pipe can be a typical repair for older pools that are 30 years old it’s so frequent that we’ve written a complete blog post about repair for skimmers made of flex pipe.
If you’re sure it is underground leaks, your next procedure is to test the pressure of the suspect line(s) before you use specialized equipment to pinpoint the exact site of the leak. In the event that the length of the pipe run is extremely short or if the pipe is severely damaged, it is possible replacing the whole pipe and discard the old pipeand leave it in the soil.
For pools that have a narrow deck (3-4 feet wide) You can choose an option to go tunneling underneath the deck, in contrast of cutting through the deck, and then digging. Within a couple of minutes of excavation, you will get the skimmer pipes discovered, or even dig the place where a return line connects to the wall of the pool. If you are able to dig enough dirt beneath the deck that you are able to see the bottom of the deck, you can use timbers that are that have been cut to size to hold the deck. If you are only exposing the deck for a couple of feet it is possible that you do not require support.
The other alternative is to cut off the deck of the pool with the aid of a concrete saw. Then, you can break the deck up, then remove the dirt and expose the leaky pipe or damaged fitting for the pipe. In either case, it’s an awfully dirty job and if you’re willing to go for it, keep reading.
How to Repair the Leak in the Pool Leak
When a leak in the pool is identified and located in the ground or beneath then the following step would be to remove the bad pipe and replace it the old. Prior to you pull open using a hacksaw or reciprocating saw to cut the pipe create a strategy. If you are dealing with complicated repairs, draw an outline of the fittings and other equipment. For simple fitting replacement , you’ll require enough space to be equipped to connect your new pipe using an coupling. Plan out a plan for reconnecting the pipes before making the pipe.
When cutting pipes, create a straight cut then clean the edges of the cut using emory cloth or sandpaper. Make sure that you leave enough pipe for you to form a solid connection of about 2 inches.
It is possible to cut pipe sections in advance however it’s better cutting the new PVC pipe sections as you require them, and you can measure them again before cutting. I always add 1/2 inch to my measurements because it’s better to be long than to be too short! It’s a cliché is to use, Measure Twice Cut once!
Make use of PVC primer on pipes and fittings for 30 seconds before adding massive quantities of new PVC glue. The primer cleans and softens pipe, which heats the plastic, resulting in the solvent weld. Make sure you have a rag on hand to clean up any glue drips after pushing the pipe through the fitting, and then keep it there at a constant temperature for 10 secs.
When gluing 90’s or 45’s and 45’s, put them to an inch of PVC pipe that is inserted (dry fit not connected) into the opposite side. This will help you get the correct angle, in the exact direction the fitting should be facing.
To use female threaded PVC fittings apply a silicone sealant such as Blue RTV over the threads and cover the threads multiple times using Teflon tape, moving in the direction of clockwise (holding the threaded part of the fitting to your). Close a threaded fitting by hand, then allow it to rest for an additional 1 to 1-1/2 rotations using large Channel-Lok(r) kind pliers.
sacrifices Many instances, in order to replace one fitting, you might need to replace fittings blocking the process of making an entirely new connection. Sometimes, a check valve, Jandy valve or union need to be sacrificed to make room for the leaky PVC fitting. It is also possible to replace the chlorinator or any other plumbing for pool equipment.
The Jandy Valve are able to be repaired when you spend time using a hacksaw blade and a small screwdriver. If pipes are cut from an valve, the glue pipe remains in the port of valve. Cut the pipe’s insides three times using a hacksaw blade (blade only) followed by an abrasive flathead and a small hammer to cut out of the black PVC pipe, but without damaging the valve. Another option to preserve the Jandy Valve is to go over the outside using an 2in coupling. Then, reduce the coupling to 1.5 inches by using an bushing that reduces the coupling.
It is important to note that the last connection that is created will be secure and typically requires some bends of the pipes or pushing the equipment to make the final glue joint. Pipes and other equipment will always contain at least an inch or two of play within them So don’t be scared to pull and push when necessary, in order to create the final glue connection.
Other Tips to Repair Pool Plumbing
- Don’t cut down on PVC pipe’s dimensions by using sleeves or inserts.
- Make sure to use as few fittings as you can Avoid pipe turns.
- Use fresh middle or heavier body PVC glue.
- Water and glue don’t mix! Always glue dry pipe fittings and pipes.
- Utilize the schedule 40, deep socket fittings for pressure-related applications.
- If you need parts for your pool plumbing that can’t be found in the Hardware store, go to an authorized plumbing store.
- Do not use Flexible PVC pipe for underground use!
Top Custom Pool Builders located in Dallas, TX
HiPools are among the top customized Best pool builders in Dallas, TX because we will always be attentive to your requirements and plans. We consider pools to be an everyday thing and we’re passionate about giving our customers the Best Possible pool. They are fair and honest with their customers, and we always succeed because they have happy customers thanks to their custom-designed services to create the perfect pool for you. The company is proud of being considered one of the best Pool Builders throughout the HiPools region.
