Quick connects plumbing question

[jadedreams]

Hi everyone - I've got a quick question. When I bought my house it had an inground vinyl pool and someone used what seems to be a radiator hose and 2 metal clamps to connect the line coming from the pool into the pump. There's about a 4-6 inch gap between the 2 sections and both are 1 1/2 pvc pipes. Well, every now and then one of the clamps comes lose and voila I have a water fountain. So, I'm finally tired of fighting it and want to fix it the right way.

Sounds like the quick connects might be what I need - would you agree and can I find those at lowes/home depot? Thanks!

[duraleigh]

Hi, Jade,

If I understand your post, you want "unions". Available HD or Lowes...about 4-6 bucks. Used for being able to disconnect the pump from the sytem without cutting the plumbing.

If the line from the pool to the pump comes loose, you should loose prime....not have a water fountain. Sounds like you are on the pressure side of the pump. Nevertheless, the fix is the same. Post a pic for confirmation, if you get a chance.:) :)

[Poconos]

Sounds like you either don't have enough overlap of the hose on the pipes or you need better hose clamps. May also want a couple clamps on each end. I posted a couple pics in this thread

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=294&highlight=advice+pipes

and the hoses are on their 6-7th season now. Nice thingsabout hoses compared to unions are 1) -- Cost, and 2) -- noise reduction and 3) -- don't need exact alignment.
Al

0002109PumpB4VibMount.jpg (http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/attachment.php?attachmentid=14&d=1144255881)
0001782FilterValveAssy.jpg (http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/attachment.php?attachmentid=15&d=1144256085)

[jadedreams]

Dave, you are right the connection is the one going from my pump to the filter which causes the water fountain. That's what I get for trying to do a quick post while I was at lunch :)

But I do have the problem that these 2 aren't totally in alignment as Poconos talked about. I've attached a couple of quick pics, perhaps a longer hose with better (and newer) clamps would do the trick. Thanks again.

[duraleigh]

Hi, Jade,

Thanks for the pics...big help. The issue you may have in a longer hose at that point is the lack of space between the pump and the 90 elbow.

You could maybe redo the section from the filter to the rubber connector, but, if you do that, you should be able to line both sides up a little better...which I think was your problem to begin with.

Like Al said, the unions require very good alignment. I think they look really nice. Either way, you've got some options. Don't get the rubber connectors you see in the PVC sections at HD/Lowes. They're made for drain pipes only and will bulge badly under even minimal pressure. ( It looks like you may have that on there now) :)