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[CantSwim2047]

Getting my first pool built and the builder installed the equipment yesterday. I'm looking for some feedback on the job that was performed. The job looks clean and neat, but I'm unsure a bit why they did things they way they did.

For example, why put a valve actuator on the line into the pump?
Why a valve actuator after the SWCG?
Other?

And the way the valves are located and oriented, isn't there a valve combination that could completely shut off suction while the pump is running? And the same for shutting off the return side completely? Is this typical of pool installs?

 

[jblizzle]

Yeah I'm not really sure what the point of some of those actuators is. Generally there is no need to change your suction lines between the floor and the skimmers. If I didn't know better looking at that pad I would think you have a pool and spa combination and the automation valves are used to switch between pool mode and Spa mode

 

[Jimrahbe]

CS,

I give him a B+ for neatness, but an overall F because in my mind it is a serious mistake to ever bring your plumbing up through concrete.. I understand there are sleves there, but if you ever need to change something in the future is will be much harder to do..

I have no idea what Skimmer returns are?????

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[cfherrman]

Hey check those sweeps, they might be dwv and not sch 40 sweeps.

If they don't say sch40 on them, total waste of money

 

[Arizonarob]

I agree with Jim, that equipment pad should be all gravel on top of dirt. If one of those 90’s underground needs repair, break out the jackhammer.
They did do a neat install and will give them props for painting all the PVC black to protect it from the sun.

 

[PoolguyinCT]

That’s an easy to service assembly.

Those are clearly schedule 40sweeps.

Though risers in a slab are not my style, they are acceptable, as the rest of the piping a in a concrete shell, wall or under concrete decking.

Inground pool plumbing is hard to get to, that’s just the beast.

The sleeves around the pipes, will provide plenty of relief from the decking.

As far as running dry, can’t say or tell if the valve routers have been set to prevent. If they weren’t it would take a willful act to run dry.

 

[PoolguyinCT]

CS,

I give him a B+ for neatness, but an overall F because in my mind it is a serious mistake to ever bring your plumbing up through concrete.. I understand there are sleves there, but if you ever need to change something in the future is will be much harder to do..

I have no idea what Skimmer returns are????? [emoji782]

Thanks,

Jim R.

I bet ya 12 cold ones, it’s a typo or he has at least one pressure (Venturi) driven skimmer.

 

[Jimrahbe]

pg,

You guys from Connecticut know some weird stuff I had to Google it, just to see what a Venturi skimmer even looked like...

Not something I have ever seen down here in the land of the simple...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[PoolguyinCT]

12 cold things coming my way!!!! & I bet ya 12 more they are going to gain market share..

Industry wise I’m a bit further out than the typical deep-end, & have been privileged with exposure to some wild projects and research.

Anyway- a case of shiners straight from Texas, will make my weekend! Of course, I won’t complain if only 23 show up in the case!

Cheers!!

 

[PoolGate]

I don't think I like how it is plumbed. It is nice and neat to be sure, but functionally I think it falls short. Because of the way he positioned the 3 way valves, they do not "point" in the right direction of the flow you always want on. For your skimmers, you can switch between no skimmers, both skimmers and just the skimmer to the left. You can't switch to just the one on the right. No biggie unless that is the one you would put your vacuum line into. Also I would like to know what "skimmer returns" are. The way it is plumbed, there is no way to use whatever those are without also using the sheer descent. "Cleaner that isn't going to be used" also has no way to turn it off.

On that diagram, if the sheer descent and skimmer returns had been reversed, and the cleaner port and pool returns had been switched, it would be a lot better. Are you positive it isn't that way?

On a Jandy 3 way valve, the left and right can be on, off or both but the side that sticks straight out can only be turned off if you unscrew the thumb knob all the way, lift off the handle and reposition it on the other side of the stops. At that point it is "fixed" in that location and can't be changed unless you do the same thing again.

No heater? Would have been nice had he plumbed for a future heater.

Here is my setup, similar, but designed better.

 

[CantSwim2047]

I bet ya 12 cold ones, it’s a typo or he has at least one pressure (Venturi) driven skimmer.

You sir are correct.

This project started out with 2 standard skimmers (at my request) and then during one of the plan revisions they were both "upgraded" to venturi skimmers, no discussion on costs or why. Maybe a mistake on the builders part??

Not to derail my own thread, but what do you think of venturi skimmers? Good, bad, indifferent? I figured worst case I could just shut off the returns and run them like normal skimmers.

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As far as running dry, can’t say or tell if the valve routers have been set to prevent. If they weren’t it would take a willful act to run dry.

Not sure what valve routers are, but they did unscrew the lids of the valves and rotate the "guts" so that "inlet" pointed to the common port.

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I give him a B+ for neatness, but an overall F because in my mind it is a serious mistake to ever bring your plumbing up through concrete.

Thanks for the honest feedback, and I share your concerns to a degree. It seems like all the builders we talked to here do it this way, at least with such a small backyard such as mine. Perhaps if we had more clearance on the side of the house the piping wouldn't have had to come up through the pad.

 

[CantSwim2047]

Because of the way he positioned the 3 way valves, they do not "point" in the right direction of the flow you always want on.

This is what I was thinking too, but then at the end of their work they unscrewed the lids from the valves and rotated the lid and "guts' and reinstalled them. I think for me this is the missing link. I never considered this possibility while watching them work, and even after I haven't been able to find much info about doing this in the manual on Jandy's site. I think when they come out for "orientation" I'm going to have a few questions for them.

On that diagram, if the sheer descent and skimmer returns had been reversed, and the cleaner port and pool returns had been switched, it would be a lot better. Are you positive it isn't that way?

I'm positive that it is as labeled. I even went back and referenced my pictures during construction. Again, I can only guess (hope!) it all goes back to how they reinstalled the guts as this allows a different range of motion of the valve handle than what they come with standard out of the box.

No heater? Would have been nice had he plumbed for a future heater.

Pre-plumbed for solar heating. Those are the capped stubs between the filter and the SWCG and coming out of the deck. They even installed the valve and check valve for me, which I wasn't expecting. (I expected just the stubs out of the deck.) I did kinda laugh though that they did all that and could have just connected the stubs together while they were at it.

Here is my setup, similar, but designed better.

I've seen your picture before. I think this is how I designed in my mind what to expect from mine. And then when it didn't (mostly due to the orientation of the valves) I got a little nervous.

If anyone wants to reassure me about the valve body orientation and how they moved the diverter that would be great. Otherwise, I'll just have a list of questions for the person that comes out for orientation.

 

[PoolguyinCT]

-I’m give the V. skims 2 thumbs up.

- I see a competent install in your photo.

 

[proavia]

As long as "Inlet" is positioned toward the pump and not toward where the pipes go into the ground, there is no chance of shutting off flow. On the suction side, "Inlet" points toward the direction water is going to. On the return side, "Inlet" points to the direction the water is coming from.

What little I know of venturi skimmmers, the return water flow to the skimmers helps to increase the skimming action. This should help keep the water surface free of debris when the system is running.

 

[PoolguyinCT]

They either did or can, adjust the routers & pins to isolate. Those features, if they haven’t it’s just a screwdriver & pair of pliers to do it.

 

[PoolguyinCT]

As long as "Inlet" is positioned toward the pump and not toward where the pipes go into the ground, there is no chance of shutting off flow. On the suction side, "Inlet" points toward the direction water is going to. On the return side, "Inlet" points to the direction the water is coming from.

What little I know of venturi skimmmers, the return water flow to the skimmers helps to increase the skimming action. This should help keep the water surface free of debris when the system is running.

Good post

Venturi skimmers really are shiners (hint Jim, I’m thirsty)
With a vs pump running at a lower setting, great surface action.

 

[CantSwim2047]

Awesome feedback everyone. I appreciate it.

I feel better now knowing that the valves either have been setup up correctly, or still can be set up correctly before startup.

I also appreciate the feedback on the venturi skimmers, PoolguyinCT. I wanted the 2nd standard skimmer to help keep the surface clear and it sounds like I won't be disappointed with these.

 

[Caupsguy]

What a community (TFPC) we belong to!! Weeks ago I was lost, confused and misguided about pool water chemistry, equipment pad set-up and correct plumbing materials like schedule 40 and 3 way valves. Today, literally I poured a new equipment pad, recently got permits to fix non permitted work and working with the real pros here and asking for there feedback just like you. So glad That your neat but bad positioned valves might be an easy fix from what I’m reading.

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This is what I’m working with.