Skimmer plug got sucked through and is stuck

[CanuckPool]

I would be concerned about debris collecting and not being able to get past the plug and evenutally clogging it all together.

[MarkC]

If your rubber plug was the type that uses a wing nut on a screw to compress the rubber and the wingnut was on the screw far enough so that some threads were still visible, go to home depot and by a threaded coupler and a 3ft threaded rod that matches that thread size. Get an extra nut of the same thread size. Spin on the nut up the rod an inch, spin on the threaded coupler about half way on. spin the nut down to the coupler and thighten the two together so they don't spin on the rod. Take this device and slide it down the pipe and with lost of trial and error thread it onto the threads on the rubber plug. Then if your lucky you can pull it out. Let us know how you got it out.

[ScottsdaleSwim]

It's surrounding by concrete and fairly new cool deck.

Anything that I use has to make the bend...because it sucked it down enough to make the bend. And I think that's where we're really buggered.
We didn't really force the 'snake' because we didn't want to lodge it further down the line.

The skimmer line is about 1.5 inches at the opening, at what point does the pipe (pvc) get larger? Because the inlet from the ground to the pump is at least a 2" inch pipe.

A lot of water is getting passed this plug. Enough so that we could prime the pool and run the pumps and it doesn't increase the pressure. It must be wedged just so. It's a trapezoid shaped plug. I don't believe it's threaded either.

The only way to isolate the skimmer is to use another plug..or that weighted space ship looking disc thing.

We painted all of her pvc white. it was brown and beginning to looked cracked...and then identified each line with a sharpee. We never found a valve to isolate the drain or the skimmer line- hence the plug.
The pump timer switch is about 40 feet (on the outside of the front of the house) from the actual pump so it makes it difficult to shut it down when you're testing any of the valves. You almost neeed three people checking suction, pressure and one to flip the switch.
AAAAAh!
It's sort of a nightmare.
I heard that there's a flexible tool with a grabber on it...you feed it down, it grabs and locks on to the item and then you can rip it out.

I like the idea of drilling it to bits because I don't see how the heck we'll pull it out once it's back to the hole.

Whoever mentioned dishwashing soap...yes yes! great idea. We're going to try the drain king while the level is high and then we'll start using a lubricate. Probaby via hose and someone with a lot of blowing power.

I will keep you posted and if you think of any other ideas...please!

[ScottsdaleSwim]

This was another idea. Basically let the suction pull one end of the rope to the skimmer basket. Tie a large knot and then pull it back through after lubricated the front end of the pipe (the area between the skimmer inlet and the stuck plug)
We can't get over to her house until Saturday and it's making me crazy!

Thanks for all the input~

[CanuckPool]

Great idea! Just be careful... you basically have to tie your knot big enough so that when you pull there is enough surface area to pull against the plug. Too small and it just may slip through the space it came through... make the knot too big and you may risk it getting stuck itself around a bend on the way back to the plug. Another caution... if you are pulling the knot , it may get wedged at the plug and get stuck itself. Sorry to be devils advocate... good luck!

[Poconos]

Put the knot in the middle of the rope so you can still pull from the pump end if it gets stuck. Lets you pull either way.
Al

[CanuckPool]

Thank god there are smart people in this world!!