Proper way to plug return jets

[The Cabana Boy]

I plan to use rubber expansion plugs and the water level will remain a few inches above the return jets. The jets, I believe to be Pentair, consist of three parts: a retainer; the eyeball; and a threaded eyeball socket.

I took the three parts into my local pool supply store and the rep sold me plugs that fit into the eyeball socket, but the plugs are too small if I remove the eyeball socket. Is it okay to remove just the retainer and eyeball and plug -- or should I get larger plugs and also remove the eyeball socket to plug?

 

[pwrstrk]

What would be better than the rubber plug would be to use a threaded PVC plug. Just remove the socket and screw in the plug. It should have an o-ring to seal it. ?

 

[run53]

I plan to use rubber expansion plugs and the water level will remain a few inches above the return jets. The jets, I believe to be Pentair, consist of three parts: a retainer; the eyeball; and a threaded eyeball socket.

I took the three parts into my local pool supply store and the rep sold me plugs that fit into the eyeball socket, but the plugs are too small if I remove the eyeball socket. Is it okay to remove just the retainer and eyeball and plug -- or should I get larger plugs and also remove the eyeball socket to plug?

I never get a good airtight seal using my threaded plugs. I always see tiny air bubbles while the mighty mac is on. Even after replacing the o-ring and/or using teflon. I wonder if my return fittings are somehow compromised.

I think I will try the rubber expansion plugs next year.

 

[samt]

I never get a good airtight seal using my threaded plugs. I always see tiny air bubbles while the mighty mac is on. Even after replacing the o-ring and/or using teflon. I wonder if my return fittings are somehow compromised.

I think I will try the rubber expansion plugs next year.

I switched over 3 or 4 yrs ago to the rubber plugs and they work fine. I only use the o ring type in my skimmers with no problems.

 

[pwrstrk]

With the threaded plug you can try some paste thread sealant on the threads. Make sure it's rated for PVC.
For large dia fittings I always use the paste sealant. ?

 

[run53]

With the threaded plug you can try some paste thread sealant on the threads. Make sure it's rated for PVC.
For large dia fittings I always use the paste sealant. ��

I've tried that too this year. The blue stuff. Unfortunately, I'm not sure the threads are the problem. May be the faceplate like the original poster. I am closed up now and use antifreeze as a backup, just in case. But when i open up next year, I will experiment with the faceplate and a blower to see if i can get to the bottom of this.

 

[GMS1]

If you use paste thread sealer, just make sure it's the non-hardening kind and rated for pool chemicals such as chlorine.

 

[The Cabana Boy]

Just FYI - I decided not to use the rubber plugs because I was concerned they would not seal with the two slots that are inside the eyeball sockets. Instead, I removed the eyeball sockets and used threaded plugs with o-rings. I did use silicone lube on the o-rings but did not use sealant on the threads. I figure using sealant on the threads might be a good back-up but the o-ring should make an adequate seal.