PVC SURGERY?

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Llyod

New member
Apr 19, 2020
4
South Carolina
Hello,
I've been putting this off for 2 years now, but I really need to change my sand and I would greatly appreciate some advice. The couplings that attach to the multiport have ridges, so I assumed that they were threaded and would twist off but that's not the case. Are they likely glued on and can I remove them by heating or do I need to cut the pipes? Photo attached

Thanks greatly in advance,

Scott
 

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Welcome to TFP! :wave:

Those fittings are thread on the end that goes to the multiport valve and slip (glued) on the end that goes to the PVC pipe. You can cut the pipes and install unions that will allow easier removal in the future.

What do you think you need to change the sand?
Many times a deep clean of the sand will help. You will still need to cut the pipes and remove the multiport valve.

Deep Cleaning a Sand Filter

This post will walk you through the anatomy of a sand filter, and then provide a video at the end for how to deep clean your sand filter. The filter used in the photos and videos is a Hayward S180T top mount sand filter. The images are of a similar filter. Obviously not all filters are...
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
 
I had to cut my PVC pipes and put unions in. I did it so I could deep clean the sand. I asked my pool builder why they didn't put unions in when it was built. They said they would if the pool owner asks. Kind of frustrating for first time pool owners who don't know any better. Also I would have them not put in the cheap ball valves on the supply side.
 
Thanks for the reply. So they are threaded? I tried 14" Channellock with a rag around and it wouldn't budge, just broke the raised ridge. Is it possible who ever did this last used cement on it and if so would heatgun loosen?
 
You will have to cut your PVC pipes... Then install the Unions I posted earlier and redo the PVC.. So order the unions first, then cut the PVC.. :)


1649095315328.png
 
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cowboycasey said:
You will have to cut your PVC pipes... Then install the Unions I posted earlier and redo the PVC.. So order the unions first, then cut the PVC.. :)


View attachment 399164
Click to expand...

I would suggest that only two of those lines need unions. One of them (probably bottom left) is just the backflush pipe where you attach a hose to run it out into the yard.
 
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Now that I think about it, it's probably the right side pipe that doesn't need a union. The setup is backwards from mine. The inlet and outlet are on the same side and the waste line is on the opposite.
 

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Llyod said:
Excuse my ignorance, but what exactly do you mean by "redo" the pvc? Thanks again for helping.
Click to expand...
You can’t “unglue” them, because they’re chemically welded together. Which means you have to cut them, and then cement (glue) the pipes back together.

At its simplest, to redo it you’d need to use a pvc coupler cemented to both ends of the cut to put it back together. But as others have suggested, you should instead install unions there, so you can just unscrew the connections in the future.

A union would be like this. Just make sure to get the correct size for your piping (likely 2 or 1.5 inch).

Hayward SP14982S 2-Inch Socket White PVC Flush Female Socket Union https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0038ER6W0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_dl_KHS43N6V5QFTRXCVKX9Y

If you don’t have experience gluing PVC, it’s not hard, but let us know that and I’m sure we can talk you through what you’ll need to do that.
 
Llyod,

If you are going to use unions, use the right ones.. Like these.


They are called Pump Unions and screw right in the MPV on one end and glue to the PVC plumbing on the other end.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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