Should I "upgrade" to Schedule 40 PVC?

[Cravi5]

Hi. We moved last year and inherited a pool. This was all new to me and I wound up replacing the liner and getting a cartridge filter. The pool is fully decked in.

I tried to get it up and running again this year but I have some leaks (had minor leaks last year as well, which apparently I forgot about until I started the pump).

I'm wondering how worthwhile it is to just use sch 40 pvc everywhere.

I already bought some ball valves which so I can cut the water off if needed and to fill pump basket.

Since things are leaking (mutliole leaks, all at the connections between the flexible hose and the adapter) I was now planning on replacing all the hose clamps, and all the hose adapters and redo basically everything just keeping the hoses seen here.

Then i wondered if I'd be better off just upgrading to full PVC.

I feel I won't have to worry about leaks and I'll have a more efficient system. However I'm not sure if it makes sense.

Don't mind the mess, but below is the setup as of now. I just have the 1 return in the pool. I also have a solar panel (came with the pool but was never used. I haven't read great things so I'm debating if it's even worth the effort to install) and I was considering adding a PVC sprinkler.

For now I planned on just doing a bare minimum set up with some unions so i can do the add-ons later.

Thoughts on pro/cons of PVC vs trying to make the current set up work?

People seem to have luck with this piping and hose clamps, but Im not. I'm not sure if the the plumbing is just getting old or what.

Thanks!

 

[MITBeta]

I spent Saturday under the deck converting to hard pipe because A. I see an SWG in my future, B. I was worried that one of those hose clamps would let go and kill my pump, and C. I wanted better quality valves.

If you're at all handy (and can remember to slide the union nuts on BEFORE you glue...) and have the space to work it's not a bad job.

 

[Cravi5]

Looks great, nice work!

I just watched a YouTube video and the guy forgot to put it on too lol.

Even with the reminder, there's a 50/50 I'll still forget. Just like 100% of the time I forgot to put a washer before putting a lag bolts.

Not sure if you've cleaned the pool yet, but I'm curious if the plumbing increased suction when vacuuming.
Thanks!

 

[Mdragger88]

If you’re gonna go pvc - go all the way - no hoses. You’re right - they suck.
plan out where u will need unions so you can winterize or replace valves/equipment before you begin.
I sill have hoses (for my intex swg’s) but have done some pvc . When I upgrade my swg I will become hoseless .
On some of my remaining hose connections I have found using 2 hose clamps next to each other has helped with drips.

 

[MITBeta]

Not sure if you've cleaned the pool yet, but I'm curious if the plumbing increased suction when vacuuming.

Have I cleaned the pool yet?

Only 3 times! Just getting up the dirt that made its way under the cover. The 1st 2 times I didn't notice that the suction plate wasn't that tight on the skimmer so I did a good job of stirring the dirt around and not much vacuuming. I don't find that the suction is any better than with the hoses.

It's clean now, though. I'm enjoying my last few vacuumings while awaiting the arrival of my (delayed ) robot.

plan out where u will need unions so you can winterize or replace valves/equipment before you begin.

I have unions before the pump and after the filter, and combination union/valves at the skimmer and returns. In retrospect, the Jandys were probably overkill. I found these on Amazon and they are heavy duty. In fact, I ended up buying one more for the filter backwash drain since the crappy one on there is leaking.

Amazon.com: HYDROSEAL Kaplan PVC 1 1/2" True Union Ball Valve with Full Port, ASTM F1970, EPDM O-Rings and Reversible PTFE Seats, Rated at 200 PSI @73F, Gray, 1 1/2 inch Socket (1 1/2") : Industrial & Scientific

Amazon.com: HYDROSEAL Kaplan PVC 1 1/2" True Union Ball Valve with Full Port, ASTM F1970, EPDM O-Rings and Reversible PTFE Seats, Rated at 200 PSI @73F, Gray, 1 1/2 inch Socket (1 1/2") : Industrial & Scientific

smile.amazon.com

 

[Cravi5]

I spent Saturday under the deck converting to hard pipe because A. I see an SWG in my future, B. I was worried that one of those hose clamps would let go and kill my pump, and C. I wanted better quality valves.

If you're at all handy (and can remember to slide the union nuts on BEFORE you glue...) and have the space to work it's not a bad job.

View attachment 327229
View attachment 327230

If you’re gonna go pvc - go all the way - no hoses. You’re right - they suck.
plan out where u will need unions so you can winterize or replace valves/equipment before you begin.
I sill have hoses (for my intex swg’s) but have done some pvc . When I upgrade my swg I will become hoseless .
On some of my remaining hose connections I have found using 2 hose clamps next to each other has helped with drips.

Thanks. PVC is straightforward enough that it seems like it make sense to do in most situations. And I had no idea until now that it's actually cheaper to use pvc vs the felixible hoses. Im really not sure why there's so much flexible hose out there. I get maybe in the tricker corners and, where you want some flexibility, but the more I look into it, the more I'm sold on PVC. I'll be adding unions as well.

Thanks, you did mention the double hose clamp suggestion to me last year... It did help, for sure, but still a pain.

Have I cleaned the pool yet?

Only 3 times! Just getting up the dirt that made its way under the cover. The 1st 2 times I didn't notice that the suction plate wasn't that tight on the skimmer so I did a good job of stirring the dirt around and not much vacuuming. I don't find that the suction is any better than with the hoses.

It's clean now, though. I'm enjoying my last few vacuumings while awaiting the arrival of my (delayed ) robot.
View attachment 327261



I have unions before the pump and after the filter, and combination union/valves at the skimmer and returns. In retrospect, the Jandys were probably overkill. I found these on Amazon and they are heavy duty. In fact, I ended up buying one more for the filter backwash drain since the crappy one on there is leaking.

View attachment 327262

Amazon.com: HYDROSEAL Kaplan PVC 1 1/2" True Union Ball Valve with Full Port, ASTM F1970, EPDM O-Rings and Reversible PTFE Seats, Rated at 200 PSI @73F, Gray, 1 1/2 inch Socket (1 1/2") : Industrial & Scientific

Amazon.com: HYDROSEAL Kaplan PVC 1 1/2" True Union Ball Valve with Full Port, ASTM F1970, EPDM O-Rings and Reversible PTFE Seats, Rated at 200 PSI @73F, Gray, 1 1/2 inch Socket (1 1/2") : Industrial & Scientific

smile.amazon.com

Looking great! I wish I saw that item earlier, I bought the ball valves already $10 each and was going to buy unions $10 each. At only $6 more, I would ahve probabaly gone this route but no big deal.

I'm glad it's working out. My system just seems so inefficient that I was hoping PVC will increase suction power as a secondary bonus, but maybe not.

Thanks!

 

[Mdragger88]

The hoses just make install faster for dealers & most people w/ above ground pools need to winterize by removing the plumbing components so hoses are usually easier to store. They have their conveniences.
but there’s nothing that makes u wanna hard plumb more than accidentally draining your pool or running your pump dry because a hose popped off. Uugggh! Luckily when that happened to me (twice) i was home & caught it fairly quickly but the fear of it happening again is always in my mind.
Looking forward to seeing your finished project - don’t forget to post pics.

 

[Andrew_D]

I have a mix of hard PVC and hoses. Not the cheap pool hoses though. I use hose barbs and get thicker PVC hose or EPDM hose from my local ag supply. I've seen lots of AGP done with all hard PVC pipe, but I just can't get out of my head the amount of movement in the pool walls when the kids start getting active! So all my connections on the pool walls use a hose drop down to PVC pipe that runs around at ground level.

Love seeing all the different setups out there!

Andrew

 

[Cravi5]

The hoses just make install faster for dealers & most people w/ above ground pools need to winterize by removing the plumbing components so hoses are usually easier to store. They have their conveniences.
but there’s nothing that makes u wanna hard plumb more than accidentally draining your pool or running your pump dry because a hose popped off. Uugggh! Luckily when that happened to me (twice) i was home & caught it fairly quickly but the fear of it happening again is always in my mind.
Looking forward to seeing your finished project - don’t forget to post pics.

Similar to what happened to me yesterday... I was using utility pump to lower the water level a little so I can replace the return (gasket that came with my liner last year disintegrated). I unplugged the pump and went in the house. Woke up to a pool literally half empty.

The siphon kept going all night

I will post pics!

I have a mix of hard PVC and hoses. Not the cheap pool hoses though. I use hose barbs and get thicker PVC hose or EPDM hose from my local ag supply. I've seen lots of AGP done with all hard PVC pipe, but I just can't get out of my head the amount of movement in the pool walls when the kids start getting active! So all my connections on the pool walls use a hose drop down to PVC pipe that runs around at ground level.

Love seeing all the different setups out there!

Andrew

Thanks. Just when I thought I had my mind made up you mention that. Jk, it is a good point. Maybe I'll keep the drop down from the pool to the ground hose.