Skimmer plug got sucked through and is stuck

[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!!

[ScottsdaleSwim]

No kidding!
Great ideas...and thanks for playing devils advocate.
Definitely a knot in the middle. Didn't even cross my mind.

I can't wait to try it. In the meantime we're trying to keep her pool algae free with cya levels at 200-300 perhaps more.

Then I'll be off to the "stain" board.

Thanks again.

[doggie]

Here, the pool service company charges 75.00 for a service call. One thing is for sure, we'd have saved ALOT of money if we had just called him first thing this spring when our filter pressure was low. Instead we tried the 'do it yourself' method, and made things way worse. We ended up with all sorts of problems and set us back about 3 weeks until the pool was useable.

IMHO, I'd think about calling an expert in and let him deal with that.

But good luck either way.

[waste]

How come I miss all the fun ones when they are first posted??
I would have to say that the odds of getting it all the way through the line to the pump are astronomicly low ! The way to get it back in reach (though not out, yet) is to apply lots o pressure/ volume to the pipe ie, one of the vac/ blowers the 'pros' use to set liners and blow lines. This should get it back up to the threads (but on the wrong side of them). Once you can reach it, loosen the wingnut (ie, decompress the plug) - do not remove the wingnut, it's your best grip on the plug. If you want to keep blowing on the line, you can, but you should be able to pull it out with vice grips. (Although some of the other advice already given might make an easier job of it)
The biggest problem I can see is aplying the pressure only to the skimmer line, though CarlD's answer covers hacking into the pipes (the connectors he was talking about are called Fernco's or 'no hub couplings' and should be available at any decently stocked hardware store). If you are going to cut the pipes at the filter system, install a valve on each line before reconnecting them. As it will be Sat before you 'do battle' with it again, you've got plenty of time to plan your strategy. If I can be of further assistence, or if what I've said leaves more questions than it answers, I'll check this post daily. Good Luck!!

[ScottsdaleSwim]

I talked to a guy today that says he uses a drain king that attaches to a garden hose to create pressure in the line. I guess he gets golf balls stuck in his skimmer line often. No skimmer basket? No idea...Not really sure that will be enough but that will be the first go. Then we'll try the rope method.

doggie- I thought about calling a "professional". I have to at least try first...
It's hard to know if the "professional" will even know what he/she is talking about. If I had a referral then I would consider it a little more but I have little faith in the pool company's in my area.

I'll keep you posted for sure.

I have a ton of other questions about the equipment for her pool.

[ScottsdaleSwim]

So- we tried the drain king last night. Didn't work. I think because the plug isn't completely plugging the pipe..it lets too much water by to build up pressure. Even putting a tennis ball over the suction hole doesn't create enough pressure.

We're hesitant to use the rope method now because we don't want to turn the pump on. The pressure from the pump might pull the plug closer to the pump or wedge it even tighter.

A thin coat hanger type wire won't even pass the plug because we can't see into the stinkin' pipe.

We dug to the line where it 90's to go to the pump last night. Today we'll cut it just before the 90 so we can have a straight shot at it. We'll use something rigid to cram into the pipe like 1" pvc.
We'll lubricate the pipe from the skimmer hole to the plug.
Any ideas on a type of lubricant? Something heavy that will sink and then I'll use a plugged piece of hose to push it to the plug.

My friend that's helping is a pipe fitter so he's doing everything he can without cutting the kook deck...
because that's gonna be a mess.

The good thing is- Once we get it out, we're already down to the spa and pop up jet pipes that don't work so if there's something stuck in a couple of them we can fix it while we're in there.