Replumbing-What should I know?

mcleod

Gold Supporter
Jan 2, 2022
163
east texas
Pool Size
16171
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
I'm going to replace my equipment pad-it's sinking like the Titanic. Of course, the filter and pump have to be moved, which creates the opportunity to change the plumbing (I'm dumping a tablet dispenser). To what do I need to pay attention? @Dirk has mentioned that I don't want DWS(?) PVC, which is what I'll find at a box store. If not at box, then where do I find it? He also mentioned I should get Sweep 90's elbows.
I want to use universal connectors everywhere I can, and 3-way valves. The biggest challenge (for me) will be to get the required number of inches leading into the SWG and still connect to the 3-way without creating a pretzel.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

McLeod
 
I'm going to replace my equipment pad-it's sinking like the Titanic. Of course, the filter and pump have to be moved, which creates the opportunity to change the plumbing (I'm dumping a tablet dispenser). To what do I need to pay attention? @Dirk has mentioned that I don't want DWS(?) PVC, which is what I'll find at a box store. If not at box, then where do I find it? He also mentioned I should get Sweep 90's elbows.
I want to use universal connectors everywhere I can, and 3-way valves. The biggest challenge (for me) will be to get the required number of inches leading into the SWG and still connect to the 3-way without creating a pretzel.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

McLeod
DWS is not the same as PVC. You just need to use schedule 40 rated stuff which is at any home store.

I assume you’ve figured out why your pad is sinking and corrected that?
 
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I don't want DWS(?) PVC, which is what I'll find at a box store
Mine have both. I stick my finger on the inside and if the collar goes to my fingernail, it's a drain fitting. If it goes to the 1st knuckle, it's pressure rated. The fitting is also thicker but you might not remember from feeling the weight next time 5 years from now. You will likely have at least one finger to check the collar tho. :ROFLMAO:

Both fittings will be stamped DWV bevause the presure ones are backwards compatible. I was thisclose to losing my stuff on my PB before realizing that. It would have been embarrassing.
The biggest challenge (for me) will be to get the required number of inches leading into the SWG and still connect to the 3-way without creating a pretzel.
A couple 90s will make no noticeable difference in flow. They put many underground to never be seen again, but people lose their mind over the 5 they can see.

So yes it nice to avoid them when unnecessary, just because 'every little bit helps', but no it won't matter in the grand scheme of things if you have to add a couple.
 
DWS is not the same as PVC. You just need to use schedule 40 rated stuff which is at any home store.

I assume you’ve figured out why your pad is sinking and corrected that?
Two possible sources. Time & gravity. And the use of soaker hose at the foundation to keep the soil from pulling away. A Texas thing as I understand it.
 
Two possible sources. Time & gravity. And the use of soaker hose at the foundation to keep the soil from pulling away. A Texas thing as I understand it.
You might google some articles on that Texas foundation watering thing. Supposedly bunk. Water in the ground never makes the ground more stable. Your equipment pad may be evidence of that.
 
Thanks for that nudge! I will look that up. At worst, I won't lay out soaker hoses in the small section of the exterior wall.
 
Thanks for that nudge! I will look that up. At worst, I won't lay out soaker hoses in the small section of the exterior wall.
One article I read said that ONLY in Texas is that a thing. Don’t know if that’s accurate or not but does make it suspicious.
 
that I don't want DWS(?) PVC, which is what I'll find at a box store. If not at box, then where do I find it? He also mentioned I should get Sweep 90's elbows.
Both HD and Lowe’s carries each type of pipe. The DWS is usually further down the aisle away from the schedule 40 PVC. It should be well marked. The only thing that is hard to find at HD or Lowe’s is the sch. 40 PVC sweep elbows. They have them in the DWS section so don’t ask a rep as they point you in the wrong section. You may need to order online or find a plumbing supply store.
Also the unions at HD/Lowes tend to be bulky so you can purchase proper unions for your pump (if the pump does not come with them) online at Amazon.

Purchasing 3-way valve can be Amazon or at sites such as Polytec. You include the length of your valve body in the length needed before a pump or a SWCG so it is not just straight pipe. An if it is only 8” and not 10” - no big deal. Avoid putting a 90 elbow directly leading into a flow sensor or pump or SWCG. do you the best you can and don’t fret if not perfect because most are working in a limited space between items unless you have a very large pad.
 
Both HD and Lowe’s carries each type of pipe. The DWS is usually further down the aisle away from the schedule 40 PVC. It should be well marked. The only thing that is hard to find at HD or Lowe’s is the sch. 40 PVC sweep elbows. They have them in the DWS section so don’t ask a rep as they point you in the wrong section. You may need to order online or find a plumbing supply store.
Also the unions at HD/Lowes tend to be bulky so you can purchase proper unions for your pump (if the pump does not come with them) online at Amazon.

Purchasing 3-way valve can be Amazon or at sites such as Polytec. You include the length of your valve body in the length needed before a pump or a SWCG so it is not just straight pipe. An if it is only 8” and not 10” - no big deal. Avoid putting a 90 elbow directly leading into a flow sensor or pump or SWCG. do you the best you can and don’t fret if not perfect because most are working in a limited space between items unless you have a very large pad.
Both HD and Lowe’s carries each type of pipe. The DWS is usually further down the aisle away from the schedule 40 PVC. It should be well marked. The only thing that is hard to find at HD or Lowe’s is the sch. 40 PVC sweep elbows. They have them in the DWS section so don’t ask a rep as they point you in the wrong section. You may need to order online or find a plumbing supply store.
Also the unions at HD/Lowes tend to be bulky so you can purchase proper unions for your pump (if the pump does not come with them) online at Amazon.

Purchasing 3-way valve can be Amazon or at sites such as Polytec. You include the length of your valve body in the length needed before a pump or a SWCG so it is not just straight pipe. An if it is only 8” and not 10” - no big deal. Avoid putting a 90 elbow directly leading into a flow sensor or pump or SWCG. do you the best you can and don’t fret if not perfect because most are working in a limited space between items unless you have a very large pad.
Thank you for that. Does anyone hv
 

Shopping for pool PVC parts can be confusing. Especially at the "big box' stores where they have PVC suitable for house plumbing mixed in with PVC suitable for pools. It is important to check the markings and select the correct PVC pipes and fittings for use in a pool.

Pool PVC (polyvinyl chloride) should be marked "Schedule 40". Schedule 40 PVC is made for water under pressure. If the pipe has ASTM D 1785 on the pipe, it's suitable for pressure applications. A rating of ASTM D 2665 means non pressure applications and should not be used for pools.[1]

A pipe can be dual rated ASTM D 1785 and ASTM D 2665, but it has to say ASTM D 1785 if it's going to be used for pressure.

The pipe should also be labeled NSF-PW (National Sanitation Foundation - Potable Water) and Schedule 40 PVC.

You may also find Schedule 80 PVC in stores. Schedule 80 PVC is designed for higher pressure applications and can be used in place of Schedule 40 PVC.

Note: ASTM D1785 is for pipe.

ASTM D1784 is the specification for the PVC material.

ASTM D2466 is the correct rating for the fittings.

 

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Shopping for pool PVC parts can be confusing. Especially at the "big box' stores
It's incredibly easy at the box stores. Walk down the aisle and go straight to the empty bin. *Thats* the one you wanted. Nobody buys the other ones, which is why they have 100s of them. Maybe you get lucky and somebody put yours down in the window aisle, or maybe next to the cinderblocks. When unsuccessful go to no fewer than 4 other HDs and/or Lowes with the same result.

I hate them both with the fire of 1000 suns.
 
On the topic of DWV vs. Schedule 40 you'll want to check, check, and check again when you purchase your pipe. Some yahoo left a DWV in the Schedule 40 stack at my local Home Depot and now I've got one random spot on my plumbing that's actually DWV and needs to be replaced.

Other hard-won wisdom, keep your unions in-line with the socket the section of pipe is threaded into.

This way you can tighten that threaded end perfectly and never have to worry about having a piece over/under-tightened. This will also prepare you for error-correction, like those times you forget to put Teflon tape or pipe dope on a thread like I am bound to do. On the first photo you should see a union installed in-line to the male-threaded pipe which is installed on the return. On the second photo you'll see one union is in-line to the flow-valve intake and easy to work. Unfortunately, the second union is installed perpendicular to the threaded flow-valve return/output. This means I cannot remove the second piece without removing the first because the pipe turns into it... dummy me.

You'll also see the DWV... 😬
 

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I'm going to replace my equipment pad-it's sinking like the Titanic. Of course, the filter and pump have to be moved, which creates the opportunity to change the plumbing (I'm dumping a tablet dispenser). To what do I need to pay attention? @Dirk has mentioned that I don't want DWS(?) PVC, which is what I'll find at a box store. If not at box, then where do I find it? He also mentioned I should get Sweep 90's elbows.
I want to use universal connectors everywhere I can, and 3-way valves. The biggest challenge (for me) will be to get the required number of inches leading into the SWG and still connect to the 3-way without creating a pretzel.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

McLeod


Shopping for pool PVC parts can be confusing. Especially at the "big box' stores where they have PVC suitable for house plumbing mixed in with PVC suitable for pools. It is important to check the markings and select the correct PVC pipes and fittings for use in a pool.

Pool PVC (polyvinyl chloride) should be marked "Schedule 40". Schedule 40 PVC is made for water under pressure. If the pipe has ASTM D 1785 on the pipe, it's suitable for pressure applications. A rating of ASTM D 2665 means non pressure applications and should not be used for pools.[1]

A pipe can be dual rated ASTM D 1785 and ASTM D 2665, but it has to say ASTM D 1785 if it's going to be used for pressure.

The pipe should also be labeled NSF-PW (National Sanitation Foundation - Potable Water) and Schedule 40 PVC.

You may also find Schedule 80 PVC in stores. Schedule 80 PVC is designed for higher pressure applications and can be used in place of Schedule 40 PVC.

Note: ASTM D1785 is for pipe.

ASTM D1784 is the specification for the PVC material.

ASTM D2466 is the correct rating for the fittings.

Wow! thank you. It's raining so a trip to the box store is close at hand.
It's incredibly easy at the box stores. Walk down the aisle and go straight to the empty bin. *Thats* the one you wanted. Nobody buys the other ones, which is why they have 100s of them. Maybe you get lucky and somebody put yours down in the window aisle, or maybe next to the cinderblocks. When unsuccessful go to no fewer than 4 other HDs and/or Lowes with the same result.

I hate them both with the fire of 1000 suns.
This makes me smile. It's worse even in the rural parts of the country.
 
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It's worse even in the rural parts of the country.
Plumbing suppy stores (not aisles) on the other hand are awesomesauce. Ferguson is a big chain but there's plenty of Mom and Pops too that the actual plumbers go to.

You waltz in, tell Pop what you need and he writes it all down for his son to go fetch from the back. 5 mins later you have a big box of parts and they'll dole any related pro advice you might not have thought of.
 
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Ferguson has about a 10X markup for residential walk-in customers, just sayin.
Still better than HDs algorithm that knows Harry Homeowner will pay $22.95 for a 2x2 square of sheetrock because he only needs a patch and the little piece fits in his car.

*edit. I'm sorry, it's $7 for the 2x2 piece or $13.65 for the 4x8. :roll:

*edit edit. They're also probably out of the little one too if you need it. :ROFLMAO:
 
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