HELP. Can anyone tell me what this pipe is for. I do not have a complex system, just heater, main drains, skimmers, returns and salt water system.
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Mystery Pipe? What is it for?
- Thread starter GINADALE1
- Start date
Do you know if the there was ever a pressure side cleaner? The booster pump could connect to that pipe and the pump was removed. Do you have an return in the pool that does not have flow or is plugged? That could be the other end of the cleaner plumbing.
Alternatively, does it have any holes in the side near the top or completely plugged?
Alternatively, does it have any holes in the side near the top or completely plugged?
- Apr 10, 2018
- 5,438
- Pool Size
- 18375
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45
Given it's placement and the type of cap, it looks like a drain. It may be connected to your sewer or to a landscape drainage system. Is there a hose with 1.5" fittings laying around about the length of the distance between the filter and drain (about 3')?
I have a salt water inground pool and live in the Midwest (Northern IL). This year will be the first year I will be winterizing my pool myself. The company that installed the pool has gone through new ownership and seem to be still in the learning phase of anything pool related. I have joined this group for support. In completing my due diligence I wanted to examine the pool equipment and be sure I understood the purpose for each pipe and equipment I have. In the image below, I have outlined the pipe in question. I believe this to be either a "1 1/2'' Under Drain system", since that is the one item listed in my contract for the installation of the pool, that I wasn't able to visually identify OR some type of "relief pressure valve".
If it is a relief thing or under drain system, will I have issues when draining my pool below the skimmers (a common step when winterizing), am I supposed to blow this line out as well??
Maybe I am completely wrong with both scenarios, but so far that is what I have come up with. I plan to winterize my pool in the next week. I hope to have this guy or some type of trouble shooting tips to help me properly identify and a scheduled maintenance plan in place to ensure the life of the pool.
Any help anyone can provide is greatly appreciated.
If it is a relief thing or under drain system, will I have issues when draining my pool below the skimmers (a common step when winterizing), am I supposed to blow this line out as well??
Maybe I am completely wrong with both scenarios, but so far that is what I have come up with. I plan to winterize my pool in the next week. I hope to have this guy or some type of trouble shooting tips to help me properly identify and a scheduled maintenance plan in place to ensure the life of the pool.
Any help anyone can provide is greatly appreciated.
No Pressure side cleaner. No holes inside. I do notice the cap looks as though it was often accessed because you see markings from tools that were used to unscrew it (those whom would have accessed it would only be the ones that installed and always opened/closed the pool since installation). I also noticed that one year that cap was not very tight on the piping after it was opened one Spring.
No fittings laying around and I also think it is probably a drain. I do believe the pool company that always opened and closed the pool each year accessed it often since you could see indents from the tools used to pry open. Not sure if I should also tend to this upon winterizing?
Wolfepack88
Gold Supporter
- Jun 21, 2020
- 784
- Pool Size
- 17690
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
If you have a hose bib on the pad maybe it is a drain used for draining the filter, lowering the pool via hose bib and then put the hose into the drain if that is connected to downspout drains??
But the filter does have a drain already. Cant be connected to the sewer, but conveniently the sewer drain runs along the fence line which I typically will run my hose when needing to lower the water level some after heavy rains.
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- Jul 21, 2013
- 54,396
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Unscrew the plug and blow shop vac air down the pipe and see if you see or hear it coming out anyplace.
Also, do you know why there is a similar plug on a "tee" fitting that goes from the filter to the heater? It is curious that both are plugged. But they could be unrelated.
If there is no extra pipe going to the pool (which does not have flow when pump is on), then the pipe has to go somewhere else. The air down the pipe is a good place to start.
Also, if the air does not tell you anything, then start the pool pump with the cap off and see if there is any vacuum on the line.
If there is no extra pipe going to the pool (which does not have flow when pump is on), then the pipe has to go somewhere else. The air down the pipe is a good place to start.
Also, if the air does not tell you anything, then start the pool pump with the cap off and see if there is any vacuum on the line.
UPDATE. Tried to use shop vac to push water out in hopes to see bubbles. Nothing. Any other suggestions? To make sure I did it correctly, I closed the main drain off while doing, was that correct?
Took Cap off, turned pump on, no air flow vacuum in that line. The other similar cap I assumed was to address the heater during winterizing?
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Just want to verify - when the pool pump is on normal circulation - does every return pipe in the pool have flow coming out of it? Also, are there any return pipes that may be plugged on the pool wall?
No, they are all linked to the same pipe and they all are working. Also, I believe the pool company that installed it, accessed it every year either for opening it or closing it, you can see the indent marks from the tools used to remove the cap. Both caps seems to be accessed with same markings
- Feb 6, 2015
- 6,357
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Any chance it could be a de-watering pipe? Maybe it is routed underneath the pool and serves as a way to remove any water under the pool - high water table. Not exactly a true well point, but similar. Maybe hook the wet/dry shop vac back up and attempt to vacuum (suck) water out?
Or maybe if suction is applied, it helps hold the liner against the pool walls?
Grasping at straws here. I have a gunite pool and never need to close it.
Or maybe if suction is applied, it helps hold the liner against the pool walls?
Grasping at straws here. I have a gunite pool and never need to close it.
I appreciate all the trouble shooting tips you have been able to share. I am learning thats for sure. I saw something that maybe it is a sewer drain pipe for purposes of disposing of the water? But I am not sure how to go about that without digging out the pipe some and see where it goes or even call a plumber to see where it goes, but I would prefer to not take that route if I can.- can be costly.
Yes, I also thought about it being a drain under the pool to prevent any bubbling from the bottom where, or something along those lines. Just not sure how to check that but also what would that be used for when winterizing the pool, would that be something I need to check as well. So many scenarios.
- Jun 24, 2021
- 8,223
- Pool Size
- 30000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60
Total shot in the dark. Choose the quietest time of the day.Turn off all pool equipment. Turn on every sink, tub, shower on the inside of the house that is on that side of the house. Put an ear plug in one ear, put your other ear to the pipe, cup your hands around the pipe and your ear to keep most other noises out, and see if you can hear water running.
Maybe it is best for you to call that pool company and ask what they did when they removed the plug cap to winterize the plumbing. Maybe that is where they connected a hose to clear the plumbing. Based on the testing you have done - it probably does lead to some underground drainage.
I'm new to the forum but I'm pretty sure that is a pressure relief pipe. If for some reason you need to drain the pool for an extended period this pipe would be used to prevent water from building up under the pool. My understanding is that groundwater can buildup under an empty pool and cause multiple problems. I've got one on my pool!
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