Jandy SWG union cracked

[hensler74]

I was doing some routine maintenance today on the pool and noticed one of the SWG unions is cracked and a small amount of water dripping from it. Upon further inspection I noticed I cannot remove the cracked union without cutting the PVC behind it. I have the union nut already as I had a spare one that came with the new SWG.
I am reaching out here to see if it would be wise for me to run to the hardware store and buy a coupling, cut the PVC to the size needed for the coupling so I can remove the cracked union nut put the new one on and the put the coupling in and glue it. Or would you hire a professional to do this. I am a fairly handy guy and feel this would work but also don’t want to risk it if it is better left to the pros. Picture of the union nut and roughly how much PVC is behind it for suggestions.

With tomorrow being the 4th and a pool party planned I don’t want the pool to be down while waiting on a pro to come out.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Sounds like a plan. Remove the cell before making any cuts. The standard coupler should require no additional trimming existing PVC. Just make sure you have enough room for the body of the coupler itself.

 

[hensler74]

Sounds like a plan. Remove the cell before making any cuts. The standard coupler should require no additional trimming existing PVC. Just make sure you have enough room for the body of the coupler itself.

There is 4 1/2 inches of PVC between a 90 that comes off one of the pipes and before the union coupling itself so I feel there is enough there to do this safely myself.

 

[reggiehammond]

Man, it's way too hot outside to mess with this now. I'd hit the coupler crack with some PVC-appropriate epoxy and deal with this in October when it's not as hot as the sun out there!

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

The coupler I showed you is about 3 1/8 in. Cut right in the middle of those two fittings. You might want to additionally trim 1/8 to 1/4 in off in case the cuts are not completely straight. This will ensure that the repaired section is not too long.

 

[hensler74]

Man, it's way too hot outside to mess with this now. I'd hit the coupler crack with some PVC-appropriate epoxy and deal with this in October when it's not as hot as the sun out there!

That is a valid point but when this happened at the other end a year or so ago the guy I had fixed it tried this and it never worked properly so he ended up having to come back out because water just started spewing out of the union instead of dripping. I feel I could brave the heat for 30 minutes to an hour to get it done.

 

[hensler74]

The coupler I showed you is about 3 1/8 in. Cut right in the middle of those two fittings. You might want to additionally trim 1/8 to 1/4 in off in case the cuts are not completely straight. This will ensure that the repaired section is not too long.

Thanks for the information. Last question is there any certain PVC glue I should get or just the normal stuff I already have that I use for sprinkler system repairs.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

That'll work. Make sure you use a primer also.

 

[Lake Placid]

Rain r shine cement has a 2 hour cure time. Oatey “Hot Lava” cement has a 15 minute cure time. I like the hot lava as it gets you back in service fastest.

 

[hensler74]

Rain r shine cement has a 2 hour cure time. Oatey “Hot Lava” cement has a 15 minute cure time. I like the hot lava as it gets you back in service fastest.

I will pick some of that up if they have it at the hardware store

 

[Lake Placid]

I will pick some of that up if they have it at the hardware store

Most big box hardware stores have it.

 

[reggiehammond]

I will pick some of that up if they have it at the hardware store

Gorilla makes a good product that's clear too. I prefer the look of clear on the exposed PVC for pools.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

If you haven't gone to the store yet, pick up a few extra fittings. They are good to have on hand. A couple of couplers, and a couple of 90s just in case you need them.

 

[hensler74]

Most big box hardware stores have it.

They didn’t have any in stock but a plumber that was there recommended Blue Monster PVC cement so going to try it.

 

[hensler74]

Did that and also got a 2’

If you haven't gone to the store yet, pick up a few extra fittings. They are good to have on hand. A couple of couplers, and a couple of 90s just in case you need them.

If you haven't gone to the store yet, pick up a few extra fittings. They are good to have on hand. A couple of couplers, and a couple of 90s just in case you need them.

I did not pick up any 90’s but did get a couple of couplings as well as a 2 ft price of pipe just to have on hand as well. Will go back at some time and get 90’s later to have in hand.

 

[reggiehammond]

I did not pick up any 90’s but did get a couple of couplings as well as a 2 ft price of pipe just to have on hand as well. Will go back at some time and get 90’s later to have in hand.

Just make sure you have Sch40 for pressure, not simple DWV (drain waste vent) pipe. I'd bet you have dual-rated pipe if bought from HomeDepot. It'll be rated for pressure, but also labeled DWV.

 

[hensler74]

Just make sure you have Sch40 for pressure, not simple DWV (drain waste vent) pipe. I'd bet you have dual-rated pipe if bought from HomeDepot. It'll be rated for pressure, but also labeled DWV.

I did get sch40 pipe and couplings.
Glad I bought the pipe because of the placement of the SWG my supposed to be straight cut ended up being at at 45 degree slant so i used the whole new union instead of just the nut and needed a piece of pipe to put it all back together. Now going to allow a few hours to dry and kick the system back on before dark to check and pray there are not leaks at my handy work.

 

[Lake Placid]

They didn’t have any in stock but a plumber that was there recommended Blue Monster PVC cement so going to try it.

Never used their pvc cement but I’m a huge fan of their Teflon tape. Hopefully it worked well for you.

 

[hensler74]

Update
Let the cement cure for 4 hours and turned it all back on. No leaks at the union but have a small drip at the new coupling I installed. Going to let it cure overnight and check it again in the morning. Smaller leak than the union had so hoping that the overnight curing will fix that small drip. If not will use it for the party tomorrow and then tend to it again on Friday or this weekend. Not going to call it a failed attempt just yet.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Darn....you may need an extra 90 degree fitting...