Swimming pool Plumbing leaks are a part 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 easy to use, and everything you require is available at any hardware store or home shop. 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 that is worth the price. To assist customers in every way, they make sure they supply you with the most up-to-date pool equipment and precise technical specifications, ensuring that their Swimming Pool Construction projects are efficient and creative.
The process of making 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 your pool’s plumbing are not in the surface and are readily accessible.
Fixing Pool Leaks:
Pool Leaks come in many types. From small drips, to the huge drip. For smaller drips, I’m often told “It isn’t going to take the water out!”, and unless it’s pouring into the motor or causing issues or causing problems, the slow drip on the plumbing fitting or the slow flow from the pump will not cause any significant loss of water in the pool and generally will not become any more severe.
However, larger leaks in the plumbing of pools may cause problems and need to be repaired, which can be done by replacing damaged glue joints or broken fittings by removing the old ones and gluing on replacement PVC pipes and fittings.
Suction Side Leaks
The suction side refers all plumbing prior to the impeller for the pool pump that carries the water in suction or vacuum. This includes the skimmer as well as principal drain suction pipe, the fittings, and valves, that are located in on the side of the pump. A problem with the suction side draws in air when the pump’s running and let water leak into the pipes (usually) after the pump has been turned off. The most frequent 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. This is so frequent that we’ve put together an entire blog article on fittings for the pool pump repair. The suction side leaks are repaired using silicone or pool putty to make an interim fix however, they will require cutting out and replaced with new fittings or pipe for the most effective outcomes.
Suction side valves could be damaged or cracked, or leaky, and eventually require replacement. It can be difficult to replace just an individual valve located on suction. usually, it’s necessary in order to change the whole suction system or the majority of the pipes from the bottom upto the pump. It could be because every one of 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 could make it impossible to repair future repairs.
Pressure Side Leaks
After the impeller is installed, the water will flow under pressure and any crack or gap will release water when the pump is in operation and, often, even when it is shut off. Equipment for the pool (pump filter, heater or chlorinator) may let water leak from time time, but we’re talking about leaks in the plumbing fittings and pipes that connect to the pool as well as all of the equipment used in the pool. The most frequent leaks from the plumbing of the pool that occur on the pressure-side are those caused by glue joints (where the pipe is joined to a fitting such as an MTA, 90degor 45deg, or coupling) or threaded joints which are in which PVC female and male connectors are constructed.
Under pressure, there’s no way to repair an inground plumbing leak from the pressure angle. You cannot wrap it up with leak-stopping tape or pouring epoxy on the area will not work. Wrap it 100 times using duct tape, and you’ll slow down the flow, however it’s going to leak! Side leaks from suction 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 on the exterior (or from inside! ) The repair must be removed and repaired or replaced.
Underground Leaks
Underground pool pipes are not the main cause of leaks in pools, however they may break due to freezing damage trees, tree roots and settling decks, and shifting soils. Flex pipe (Flexible PVC pipe) is susceptible to damage through earwigs or chlorine and should not be used for use in underground pools. The replacement of underground flexible PVC pipe using stiff PVC pipe can be a standard repair for older pools that are 30 years old it’s so frequent that we’ve written a complete blog post about the repair of skimmers made from 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 is extremely short, or if the pipe is damaged, you may choose replacement of the complete pipe, and then discard the pipe that was in use, and put it in the soil.
If your pool has a small deck (3-4 feet width) it is possible to select to tunnel beneath the deck as opposed of cutting through the deck, and then digging. Within a couple of days of excavation you will find the skimmer’s pipes removed, or you can dig up the point where a return line joins the wall of the pool. If you can dig enough dirt underneath the deck that you are able to see the bottom and use large timbers 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 down the deck, 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 and if you’re willing to go for the challenge, continue reading.
How to Repair the Leak in a Pool Leak
If a leak in the pool is identified and located whether above ground or below ground then the following step would be to remove the bad pipe and replace it the old. Prior to you pull open using a hacksawor reciprocating saw to cut the pipe create a 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 taking the pipes apart.
When cutting the pipes make a straight cut and then scrub the edges of the cut using emory cloth or sandpaper. Make sure that you leave enough pipe for you to form a solid connection, which is about 2 inches.
It is possible to cut pipe sections in advance However, it’s much more precise cutting the new PVC pipe pieces exactly as you require them. So you can measure them once more before cutting. I’ve added 1/2 inch to my measurements, as it’s better to be long than to be too short! It’s a cliché saying it, Measure Twice Cut once!
Make use of PVC primer on pipes and fittings for about 30 seconds prior to adding large quantities of new PVC glue. The primer cleans and softens pipe, which heats the plastic and creating the solvent weld. Use a rag to wipe off any glue drips when you press the pipe through the fitting, and then keep it there until it is held for 10 seconds.
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 not glue) into the opposite side. This will help you get the correct angle, in the precise direction in which the fitting should face.
To use female threaded fittings made of PVC, apply a silicone sealant such as Blue RTV over the threads and apply several wraps to the threads using Teflon tape, moving in the direction of clockwise (holding the threaded part of the fitting in your direction). Then tighten the threaded fitting the hand, and allow it to rest for an additional one to 1-1/2 turns using large Channel-Lok(r) kind pliers.
sacrifices Many instances, in order to replace one fitting, it is necessary to replace fittings blocking the process of making an entirely new connection. Sometimes, a check valve Jandy valve, or union has to be sacrificed to make room for one leaky PVC fitting. It is also possible to install the chlorinator again 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. When pipes are cut from an valve, the glue pipe remains inside the port of valve. Cut the pipe’s insides three times with a hacksaw (blade only) after which you can use the sharp flathead as well as a small hammer to break off all the clear PVC pipe, but without damaging the valve. Another method to keep the Jandy Valve is to go over the outside of the valve with two-inch couplings, and then reduce the coupling to 1.5 inches by using the help of a bushing that reduces the coupling.
A end-to-end connection which is made will be secure and generally requires bends of the pipes or pushing the equipment to make the glue joint. Pipes and other equipment will always come with at least an inch or two of play Don’t be afraid to pull and push when required, to form the final glue connection.
Other Tips for Pool Plumbing Repair
- Don’t cut down on PVC pipe’s dimensions by using sleeves or inserts.
- Make sure to use as few fittings as you can and avoid turning the pipe.
- Make use of fresh Medium or Heavy Body PVC glue.
- The two are not compatible! Always glue dry plumbing and fittings.
- 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 an Hardware shop, you can visit an authorized plumbing store.
- Avoid using the flexible PVC pipe for underground use!
Top Custom Pool Builders within Dallas, TX
HiPools is the top tailor-made building of pool located in Dallas, TX because we will always be attentive to your needs and plans. Pools are for us an everyday thing and we’re passionate about providing their customers with the Best Possible pool. They are fair and honest to our clients, which is why we always succeed because they have happy customers thanks to their custom-designed services to create the pool of your dreams. The company is proud of being considered one of the best Pool Builders throughout the HiPools region.
