Cutting main drain line to relocate equipment

I need to cut my main drain line between the valve and the pool to relocate my equipment inside the poolhouse I'm building. The point where I need to cut it is about 18" below the winter water level.

I'm sure I could cut the line and cram a rubber plug in there before the hole filled up, but how can I make a good solvent joint at the cut? Maybe I should have done it when the water was warm and I could have put a bucket over the drain and held it down with the pole.:(

I've heard that plumbers have a method of freezing the water in a line to allow repairs where the water can't be shut off. Will this work on an inch-and-a-half line?

I have heard of plumbers using bread to plug up copper pipes with water in them so that they could solder on a new joint. The bread soaks up any residual water and then will eventually disintigrate and make its way out of the system... I am not sure with 1 1/2 pipe though, that would take one large french stick to plug that one.

John, The only thing I can think of is to either lower the water below the pipe or 'take the dive' and plug the MD. I've experienced similar situations in the past and have yet to come up with another way to do it. It may be possible to temporarilly cover the drain with a sheet of vynal, etc. to slow the water down and use some 'blue' wet/ dry quick set pvc glue to make the final connection (plumb the line backwards from the pump and make the 'wet' connection the last one). Sorry, but that's the best I can come up with, though I'll let it percolate in the brainpan and ask my co-workers.

A plastic bag over the main drain might work. The suction/weight of the water should hold it down and seal it but there still might be a small amount of water that gets through. Use a large garbage bag and put it in position with a pole.

Of course if it doesn't work, you will have to drain the pool down below the level.

A sandbag over the trashbag would probably really hold it down.

How about a rubber mission coupling? If the joints are together it should work out fine. I have used them probably a thousand times in my former career and they will pass a pressure test.

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Originally Posted by sevver

How about a rubber mission coupling? If the joints are together it should work out fine. I have used them probably a thousand times in my former career and they will pass a pressure test.

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I'm concerned about the amount of water coming in when I cut it. Can I put one on blind under a couple of feet of water?

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Originally Posted by MarkC

A sandbag over the trashbag would probably really hold it down.

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I have a bucket with a very rounded edge large enough to cover the drain. I was thinking about putting that, with a sandbag on top, over the drain. Maybe a trashbag held down by a weighted bucket?

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Originally Posted by JohnT

I'm concerned about the amount of water coming in when I cut it. Can I put one on blind under a couple of feet of water?

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I have put them on blind under water many times. It is a simple matter of tightening a band with a nutdriver. I have repaired live watermains under several feet of water several feet deep underwater with the walls coming down around me, trust me it won't be too hard. But you should have everything ready in advance so it will be a quick swap.

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Originally Posted by sevver

I have repaired live watermains under several feet of water several feet deep underwater with the walls coming down around me, trust me it won't be too hard.

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:eek: :eek: :eek: Doesn't sound like fun.