piping issues

Hi all, We've had our pool 20,000gal round ag pool for about 3 weeks. In that time I've had the setup crew back twice. The first time they needed to switch the hoses around-the return was coming out the skimmer and the eye was taking in water. Next, one of the return joints was leaking water-the pipe was cracked, and I didn't know how to fix it. Now there's a leak at one of the joints that has a twist on piece. We tried to tighten it-didn't work-and then took it apart and put it back but it still leaks. We called the installer-his work is guaranteed-and he'll come back if it doesn't stop dripping but he told us that all above ground pool piping leak and we should expect this. I couldn't believe it. What do you say. Denise

Well, I can tell you that my piping does not leak, and I would not be able to take it if it did. That is called sloppy plumbing, can you post a pic of the culprit and someone can tell you what to do to fix it. It may just need more thread sealant, I am positive you can fix it yourself if you PB is not cooperating with the help here on this board.

It may need more thread sealant, it may need more teflon tape, it may need teflon lube on the o-rings, it may need a second hose clamp, it may need to be replaced with proper glue-on Schedule 40 fittings.

The great thing about modern residential pools is that all the plumbing is done with PVC hard pipe, PVC flexible pipe, and flexible hosing--very little metal piping of any sort. This makes home-owner repairs super-simple.

A picture of the problem area would help.

It's not TERRIBLE to have drips on A/G pools, and it is quite common. That doesn't make it right. There should be none, but it's not as serious as on an inground.

Hi CarlD,

You mentioned flexible pipe and flexible hosing for pool plumbing, can you advice what types are better, for example, can I use pool vacuum hose, is PVC better then vinyl, braided, etc.. Since I will be moving my pump and filter, I would like to replumb with flexible tubing/pipe/hose. Any feedback will be appreciated.



Thank you,


WD.

I like TigerFlex flexible PVC. You use this EXACTLY the same way as hard PVC--glue on Schedule 40 fittings. Be sure to use the blue glue.

What I really like about TigerFlex is you can mix and match it to suit your needs with hard PVC.

Here's an example: How I re-plumbed my return. The black corrugated hose goes to my solar panels. I've since re-done this, but everything to the left of the corrugated is the same. You can see how the T/F ties to the hard PVC at the return. All of this pops off in seconds at the end of the season and the T/F can be easily manuevered out of the pool's structure--it's flexible.

http://home.earthlink.net/~dashmanc/pool/return.jpg

Now here's the way I used both around the pump. The vertical from the pump is T/F, and the horizontal is hard PFC. The T/F gives me some flexibility, but the hard keeps it up and looking cleaner. Additionally, the hard PVC comes out of the filter for the return, then changes over to T/F.

http://home.earthlink.net/~dashmanc/pool/Filter05.jpg