Imagine Illusion 40 Complete 10/19/21

[Casey]

I'm at the slide steps. I found a 21 yr old with adhd that wanted to help me so I paid him $160 for his time that he did helped me. I got to listen to him repeat himself but you know what... I truly appreciated that he wanted to be there with me. He did a good job once i got him situated. I was using the digging bar n he was the shoveler. We stayed cool by wrapping a wet towel around our necks and taking a break every 20 minutes. It was so hot out. Then I stripped down to my bikini n jumped in the pool with him. He wanted a pair of goggles. I'm not sure what he was lookin for but he had a smile on his face! Lol

 

[Casey]

We have made contact, cut and glued the brand new skimmer line. We still have some digging and backfilling but we're making progress. It's after midnight.

 

[tommelton]

Woohoo!

 

[Casey]

Trench is done.

 

[kimkats]

I want to see the flex hose when you get it out please.

We just had another member ask about his PF wanting to use flex hose on his fiberglass pool. I shared your thread with them and told them to hold out for the solid pipe!

 

[JamesW]

The line cavitated and needs replaced.

Good flex pipe does not just collapse, so that's an unusual situation.

 

[Casey]

I want to see the flex hose when you get it out please.

We just had another member ask about his PF wanting to use flex hose on his fiberglass pool. I shared your thread with them and told them to hold out for the solid pipe!

You're never going to see the line because it's incased in concrete. I had to dig a brand new suction line the whole way around the outside perimeter of the decking.

 

[JamesW]

How do you know the line collapsed?

 

[Casey]

Good flex pipe does not just collapse, so that's an unusual situation.

It did in my case. We ran 2 50ft paracord through the line with fish tape to make it 100ft long. Tied a big nut in the center so we could pull the cord from both ends. First swipe got nothing. We were trying to get behind the obstruction thinking something was stuck in the line. Second pass through added another nut. It got harder to pull but still nothing. 3rd pull, added 3rd nut and he felt the lined ridges on the inside of the pipe and new it collapsed. It was our last ditch effort before installing a new line because we knew how much work it was going to be. I threw everything at this line with the advice from 3 other pool builders and NOTHING was helping.

I could also never manually vacuum my pool without the head slamming to the bottom of the pool. I had literally given up on it and I'm not a novice when it comes to pool maintenance. I know a lil something about it. Definitely not everything. I wish it never happened but it's almost done. I will have water flow today.

 

[JamesW]

I could also never manually vacuum my pool without the head slamming to the bottom of the pool.

That just means that you have too much suction.

That is not an indication of a failed line.

 

[Casey]

That just means that you have too much suction.

That is not an indication of a failed line.

Even though I had to set it to the lowest speed of 1600 and rebleed the line multiple times and it was still happening? That line was collapsing in the spring. I don't care what anyone says. I could never get the vac to work properly. One half swipe n I was forced to shut my system down every single time even at the lowest setting 1600.

 

[Casey]

I've wracked my brain trying to figure out why it was happening. Now I have no water flow at all. And honestly, there have been 2 other incidents where my slide has shut down and I had to stop the system and turn it back on. And it would turn on but why would it do that James? I'm trying to understand why these little incidents have led me here.

 

[JamesW]

Not sure what's going on.

Maybe a blockage near the skimmer?

 

[Wolfepack88]

The plumbing guy on my pool build was going to use flex line in the spa area and from this forum I learned and said no way, all sch 40 with sweeps and stuff. I remember reading on this forum in several threads no way to using flexible line. Almost got the feeling it was the lazier way, but by no means am I an expert, but that's what I took away from my time researching on TFP.

BTW, Casey that is a huge amount of work you have done in hot hot weather. Mad props to you but I was sick to my stomach you had to do all of this. I told my wife about your story and when swimming last I thought about how much work that would be for me with sprinkler lines to navigate, etc. You are nearing the end.

 

[Casey]

Not sure what's going on.

Maybe a blockage near the skimmer?

No. I don't think so. Never had a problem running 3 nuts through the line closest to the skimmer. At this point, it doesn't really matter to me. I have done all the hard work to run the new line and I'm moving on now.

 

[newdude]

I could never get the vac to work properly. One half swipe n I was forced to shut my system down every single time even at the lowest setting 1600

You can likely adjust your pump to go lower in the menu settings. The PB likely just picked a high and low threshold based on your SWG. Going with a lower RPM will free up the vacuum from sticking if the problem persists once this is done.

I'm thinking it was either a defective couple of feet of pipe and it collapsed, or they somehow crushed it and didn't realize it at the time. The PB will blame the soft toy (that can't make it through a straight pipe with no 90s), but this is his responsibility under warranty not yours.

 

[Noreaster]

I'm thinking it was either a defective couple of feet of pipe and it collapsed, or they somehow crushed it and didn't realize it at the time.

I was thinking the same. But if you go back to the install pics, i don't see how that type of pipe could have been crushed. Installed close to the shell in a trench - difficult for the heave equipment to crush it and not damage everything. I don't think a human can crush it? puzzling!

Hate to say it, but if we are just going by the sound of ribs and and object being dragged along those ribs. It could have just been an area with DE filling the ribs from when the filter was charged. Doesn't much matter, the work for a new pipe is nearly done.

Can we start a fund that all interested parties can donate to - to pay for a camera inspection of that pipe!

Imagine Illusion 40 Complete 10/19/21

I ‘m more worried about a stone going through that guy’s eye 👁. Mask ✅ Ear plugs ✅ Goggles 🥽 nope 👎🏻 I agree.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Lake Placid]

This has been gut wrenching to read through. Casey you’re powering through it and getting it done. Mad Respect for you in this situation.

I know almost less than zero about flex pipe in this scenario, but have worked with HDPE irrigation installations. Looking through some pics in post 591, pic 114818. Is that a kink in the picture? I literally can’t tell, and know less about the location in regards to where your suspected collapse is. Take it for what it’s worth, someone that’s ignorant asking a question.

 

[Casey]

This has been gut wrenching to read through. Casey you’re powering through it and getting it done. Mad Respect for you in this situation.

I know almost less than zero about flex pipe in this scenario, but have worked with HDPE irrigation installations. Looking through some pics in post 591, pic 114818. Is that a kink in the picture? I literally can’t tell, and know less about the location in regards to where your suspected collapse is. Take it for what it’s worth, someone that’s ignorant asking a question.

View attachment 439414

That is about where the blockage is because we took a 40ft snake and laid it out on top of the concrete from the pump and the skimmer because we never hit the "blockage" from either side because my runs are about 100ft. It brought us to this approximate location by the tanning ledge. Is it kinked? I don't know. All I know is I put the time in to get it fixed and came up with no other solution than to cut my losses and run the new line. Absolutely sick over it. I had to do something on a brand new pool that usually isn't done for YEARS (!!!) if ever.

I'm waiting for the thunderstorms to pass right now. We got rained out yesterday and my brother found a joint he didn't glue that he over looked because we dry fit them before we cut when using the 90s and a couple 45°. We missed it. When we did find it and got it apart to prime and glue it, the skies opened up and it poured!!! Im not sure if it made a good seal because the glue started looking very clumpy. If not, I'm going to cut it and redo it.

I've been beaten by many things in life. This one certainly tested me.

 

[BritDan]

Super impressive determination, Casey. I know you were out of options but not too many people would’ve taken this repair on themselves. You’ve probably got mad defined shoulders now, can add ‘extensive pool plumbing repairs‘ to your resume, and have picked up a young admirer. High five?