Swimming pool Plumbing leaks are an aspect of maintaining your pool that causes some pool owners anxious, however doing PVC plumbing repairs as well as installing new or replacement equipment in the plumbing pipes isn’t difficult. Tools and materials for repairs made with PVC are also easy to find, and all you need is in any home or hardware store. There are also a few typical PVC plumbing fittings within our plumbing parts for pools department. The HiPools Swimming pool builders are committed to providing high-quality work and value for 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, ensuring that their Swimming Pool Construction projects are efficient and creative.
Doing repairs to your pool’s plumbing is a quick weekend job that can keep many hundreds of dollars inside your pockets! In spite of the dramatic image depicted here, the majority of leaks in the pool’s pipes are located above surface and are easy to access.
Fixing Pool Leaks:
Pool Leaks come in many varieties. From small drips, to the massive water gusher. Small drips are often told “It will not take the water out!”, and unless it’s spilling into the motor or causing issues such as the slow drip from an plumbing fitting – or the large drips from the pump isn’t enough to cause any significant loss of water in the pool and generally will not get any worse.
However, larger leaks in the plumbing of pools may cause problems and need to be repaired, which can be done by replacing weak fittings or glue joints by cutting off the old fittings and then gluing replacement PVC pipes and fittings.
Suction Side Leaks
The suction side is all plumbing prior to the impeller for the pool pump that carries water that is under suction or in vacuum. This includes the skimmer as well as the main suction drain pipes and fittings, and valves, that are located in on the side of the pump. A defect on the suction side can draw in air when the pump’s operating and then leak water into the pipes (usually) in the event that it is turned off. The most commonly encountered suction side issue can be caused by a shrunken pipe that fitting with a threaded PVC fitting that attaches to 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. The suction side leaks are repaired with silicone or pool putty for repairs that are temporary however, they will require to be cut and replaced with new fittings or pipe to get the most effective outcomes.
Suction side valves could be damaged or cracked, or leaky, requiring replacement. It can be difficult to simply replace only one suction valve. typically, you need in order to change the whole suction system or the majority of pipes from the bottom to the pump. It could be because each of the Tees as well as 90’s have been bumped up against each the other, or because additional PVC fittings that were used in the previous pipe or fitting repair may make repairs in the future impossible.
Pressure Side Leaks
After the impeller, water will flow under pressure and any crack or gap will release water while the pump is operating and frequently in the event that it’s turned off. Equipment for the pool (pump filter, heater and chlorinator) will let water leak from time time, however today we’re talking about leaks that occur on the plumbing fittings and pipes that connect to the pool as well as all of the equipment used in the pool. The most commonly reported plumbing leaks in the pool that occur on the pressure-side are those caused by glue joints (where the pipe is joined to a fitting, such as MTA, 90deg, 45deg, or coupling) or threaded joint that are in which PVC female and male connectors are constructed.
Under pressure, there’s no solution to patch the leak in the plumbing of an inground pool at the point of pressure. It is not possible to wrap it in leak-stopping tape or pouring epoxy on the area will not work. Wrap it 100 times using duct tape, and you’ll slow your leak but you’re going to leak! The suction side leaks are patchable by using pool putty or any other sealants that are placed on the exterior of the pipe since the sealant draws into the crack by suction. However, pressure-side pool leak repairs are not patchable efficiently on the exterior (or from inside! ) They must be removed and repaired or replaced.
Underground Leaks
The pipes in the pool that are underground aren’t usually the source leaks in the pool, but they may break due to freezing damage trees, tree roots and settling decks, as well as shifting soil. Flex pipe (Flexible PVC pipe) is susceptible to damage through earwigs or chlorine and should not be used for use in underground pools. Removing the underground flexible PVC pipe using the rigid PVC pipe is an standard repair for older pools that are 30 years old it’s so frequent that we’ve created a full blog post about the repair of skimmers made from flex pipe.
If you’re sure there is a leak, then the procedure is to test the pressure of the suspect line(s) and use specialized equipment to pinpoint the exact where the leak is. If the length of the pipe is extremely short or if the whole pipe is damaged, it is possible replacement of the complete pipe and discard the pipe that was in use, and put it in the soil.
If your pool has a small deck (3-4 feet wide) it is possible to select an option to go tunneling underneath the deck, in contrast of cutting through the deck, and then digging. After a couple of days of excavation you could find the skimmer’s pipes discovered, or even dig the place where a return line connects to the wall of the pool. If you can dig enough dirt underneath the deck that you are able to see the underneath of the deck, you can use timbers that are that have been cut to size to hold the deck. If you are only exposing about 1-2 feet of deck then you might not require support.
The other alternative is to cut off the pool deck using the aid of a concrete saw. Then, you can break the deck up, then take out the dirt, and expose the leaky pipe or damaged fitting for the pipe. In either case, it’s an awfully dirty job If you’re ready for the challenge, continue reading.
How to Repair the Leak in a Pool Leak
When a leak in the pool is identified and located whether above ground or below ground it is time to eliminate the bad pipe and replace it the old. Prior to you pull open using a hacksawor reciprocating saw to cut the pipe develop a clear strategy for attack. For more complicated repairs, create an outline of the equipment and fittings. To replace a simple fitting, you’ll require enough space to be equipped to connect your new pipe using the coupling. Create a clear plan of reconnecting the pipes before making the pipe.
When cutting pipes, create a straight cut and then scrub the cut edges using emory cloth or sandpaper. Be sure to leave enough pipe in order to create a strong connection, which is about 2 inches.
It is possible to cut pipe sections in advance However, it’s much more precise to cut new PVC pipe pieces exactly as you require them, and you can measure them again before cutting. I’ve added 1/2 inch to my measurements, as it’s better to be long than too short! It’s a cliché saying it, 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, causing the plastic and creating the solvent weld. Make sure you have a rag on hand to wipe off any glue drips after pushing the pipe into 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 together using an inch of PVC pipe that has been inserted (dry fit and not glue) into the opposite side. This allows you to determine the right angle for the exact direction the fitting must face.
If you are using female threaded PVC fittings apply a silicone sealant such as Blue RTV over the threads and then cover the threads multiple times using Teflon tape, moving in the direction of clockwise (holding the threaded end of the fitting to your). Close a threaded fitting the hand, and allow it to rest for an additional 1 to 1-1/2 rotations using large Channel-Lok(r) kind pliers.
Sacrifices There are many situations, when replacing one fitting, you might need to replace fittings blocking the process of making the new connection. Sometimes, a check valve Jandy valve or union need to be sacrificed to make room for the leaky PVC fitting. You may also need to replace the chlorinator or any other plumbing for pool equipment.
Decent valves are able to be repaired by spending time using a hacksaw blade and a small screwdriver. If pipes are cut from the valve, the glued pipe remains in the port of valve. Cut the pipe’s insides three times using a hacksaw blade (blade only) followed by the sharp flathead as well as a small hammer to cut out all the clear 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 the help of a bushing that reduces the coupling.
It is important to note that the last connection which is made will be secure and generally requires stretching of the pipes or pushing the equipment to make the final glue joint. Pipes and machinery always contain at least an inch or two of play within them So don’t be scared to pull and push as necessary, in order to create the final glue connection.
Other Tips for Pool Plumbing Repair
- Do not reduce PVC pipe’s dimensions by using sleeves or inserts.
- Utilize the smallest number of fittings you can Avoid pipe turns.
- Make use of fresh middle or heavier body PVC glue.
- The two are not compatible! Always glue dry plumbing and fittings.
- Utilize schedule 40 deep socket fittings, to handle pressure-related applications.
- For parts for the plumbing of your pool that cannot be found in the Hardware shop, you can visit an online plumbing retailer.
- Avoid using Flexible PVC pipe under the ground!
Top Custom Pool Builders within Dallas, TX
HiPools is the top tailor-made builder of pools within Dallas, TX because we will always be attentive to your needs and plans. We consider pools to be an integral part of our lives and we’re committed to giving our customers the Best Possible pool. They are fair and honest to our clients, which is why we’re always successful as they make happy customers by providing their custom-designed services to create the perfect pool for you. The company is proud of being considered one of the top pool builders throughout the HiPools region.