How to plug return fittings

[gnr5]

Hello,
Two questions.

1. I suspect my spa return fittings have a leak, I have these australian style fitting, how can I plug them so that I can prove my theory?
   1. Not sure if I need to remove them first, if so how?
2. What are these white spots showing up all around my spa and pool? I can use a scrapper like this one, and they come off with a little force but they're really annoying.

Thanks!!!

s

 

[PoolStored]

I suspect my spa return fittings have a leak, I have these australian style fitting, how can I plug them so that I can prove my theory?

Be VERY careful pressurizing pool lines with AIR. Pressurizing with water is much safer. If you do it with air, use VERY little PSI...a leak will show up even with low psi. With my rig, I was able to get about 1psi just using my lungs. Do not stand in front of the plugs if you are going to use air. They can come out like a bullet.

NOTE: You need to get the right size plugs. They must be straight sided plugs.

To answer your question...Wing nut expansion plugs.

Anderson Manufacturing Co, Inc Tool, Nylon Test Plug, 1-5/8", 1-1/2" Thread | 150N

Buy Anderson Manufacturing Co, Inc Tool, Nylon Test Plug, 1-5/8", 1-1/2" Thread | 150N for sale here at Wild West. Get yours today! Save on tons of great pool supplies & receive top-notch service.

www.wildwestpoolsupplies.com

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

And one to use to presurize:

Anderson Manufacturing Co, Inc Tool, Standard Test Plug, 1-3/4", 1-1/2" Thread, Open | O52

Buy Anderson Manufacturing Co, Inc Tool, Standard Test Plug, 1-3/4", 1-1/2" Thread, Open | O52 for sale here at Wild West. Get yours today! Save on tons of great pool supplies & receive top-notch service.

www.wildwestpoolsupplies.com

My rig:

 

[gnr5]

To pressurize id need to do some plumbing work and don’t want to be cutting PVC (at least not yet)

I want to plug the returns and see if I lose water at the same rate or less. My pump will be off obviously

 

[PoolStored]

ok, same answer..the first plugs...Wing nut flat sided plugs.

 

[Lake Placid]

To pressurize id need to do some plumbing work and don’t want to be cutting PVC (at least not yet)

I want to plug the returns and see if I lose water at the same rate or less. My pump will be off obviously

Why do you think you would need to do plumbing work to pressurize? The rig @PoolStored showed would allow you pressurize the system without chopping up the system. As for the white spots you’re scraping off, scrape them off and drop them in a bit of acid. If they bubble, fizzle, foam, it’s calcium.

 

[gnr5]

Why do you think you would need to do plumbing work to pressurize? The rig @PoolStored showed would allow you pressurize the system without chopping up the system. As for the white spots you’re scraping off, scrape them off and drop them in a bit of acid. If they bubble, fizzle, foam, it’s calcium.

Well a quick youtube video showed me I can pressure test without cutting pipes, I was thinking of pressure test when they first built this pool to pass the plumbing inspection.
Ok follow up question, where can I get a decent pressure test kit

 

[gnr5]

So, I don't touch the returns at all? There nothing to remove to insert the plug? that's the part I'm missing

 

[PoolStored]

Ok follow up question, where can I get a decent pressure test kit

I made mine. You can search google for "pool pressure test kit."

So, I don't touch the returns at all? There nothing to remove to insert the plug? that's the part I'm missing

Take a picture looking into the return to validate, if smooth, just put this in...

 

[Lake Placid]

So, I don't touch the returns at all? There nothing to remove to insert the plug? that's the part I'm missing

There’s enough smooth surface in the pictures shown if you get the correct sized plugs they will seal.

Well a quick youtube video showed me I can pressure test without cutting pipes, I was thinking of pressure test when they first built this pool to pass the plumbing inspection.
Ok follow up question, where can I get a decent pressure test kit

Depending on your setup, if you have a leaking valve or fitting on the pad you can get a false result on the pressure test. You’ll need be very diligent on the pressure test. Depending on the rig you create you only need to pressurize to 10-15 psi and watch for pressure loss, the gauge you install on the rig needs to be precise and allow you to measure small increments of loss.

 

[gnr5]

Be VERY careful pressurizing pool lines with AIR. Pressurizing with water is much safer. If you do it with air, use VERY little PSI...a leak will show up even with low psi. With my rig, I was able to get about 1psi just using my lungs. Do not stand in front of the plugs if you are going to use air. They can come out like a bullet.

NOTE: You need to get the right size plugs. They must be straight sided plugs.

To answer your question...Wing nut expansion plugs.

Anderson Manufacturing Co, Inc Tool, Nylon Test Plug, 1-5/8", 1-1/2" Thread | 150N

Buy Anderson Manufacturing Co, Inc Tool, Nylon Test Plug, 1-5/8", 1-1/2" Thread | 150N for sale here at Wild West. Get yours today! Save on tons of great pool supplies & receive top-notch service.

www.wildwestpoolsupplies.com

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

And one to use to presurize:

Anderson Manufacturing Co, Inc Tool, Standard Test Plug, 1-3/4", 1-1/2" Thread, Open | O52

Buy Anderson Manufacturing Co, Inc Tool, Standard Test Plug, 1-3/4", 1-1/2" Thread, Open | O52 for sale here at Wild West. Get yours today! Save on tons of great pool supplies & receive top-notch service.

www.wildwestpoolsupplies.com

My rig:
View attachment 635915

Looks like I could get most of this, except the plug at a local Home Depot/Lowes right? What do you use to plug the water hose?