Hairline crack leak on pipe to chlorinator

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macymac001

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Nov 27, 2022
6
Orlando
Currently there is a hairline crack in the elbow that connects the chlorinator (leak is progressively getting bigger) to one of the lines that happens to be 4-5” above the concrete. Had a pool company look at it and said it was to close for comfort to mess with as they risk damaging the pipe under concrete. They did say we didn’t necessarily need and in-line chlorinator and that it could be removed altogether.

Would it be feasible to remove the chlorinator and cap off the connecting lines that lead to the filter and the pipe going under the concrete? As this seems to be a better solution than getting a company to possible dig under the concrete to replace pvc pipe.

Any and all recommendations and advice is welcomed!
 

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How do you chlorinate your pool?

How will you connect your filter output to your pool return line if not through that pipe in the ground?
 
This is why I asked, as I definitely dont know the logistics that would tie into that. Thank you for the enlightenment!

As much as I would love the challenge I think it’s best to go with a professional. So now I guess the question would be, can we go with a plumber or would a pool company be more suited?
 
macymac001 said:
Would it be feasible to remove the chlorinator and cap off the connecting lines that lead to the filter and the pipe going under the concrete? As this seems to be a better solution than getting a company to possible dig under the concrete to replace pvc pipe.
Click to expand...
While you can remove the chlorinator, you cannot cap off the lines as that is the only path to your pool returns

I think you can cut that elbow off and add a coupler to reconnect your plumbing.
 
You need someone experienced with PVC. They can come from anywhere, a plumber or a pool company or a handyman.

There are various tricks of the trade. Some of which are described in PVC Repair - Further Reading

A heat gun and careful hacksawing may be able to remove that 90.

Or the pipe can be cut at the bottom of the 90 and the stub is enough to glue on a coupler.

Even if the pipe was cut off flush with the concrete, a MagicMend will easily solve the problem. The MagicMend insider connector will join two pieces of PVC schedule 40 pipe together.

It is an "inside slip connector." They are designed to slip inside of PVC pipe. They're available in 1.5" or 2".

So I see at least three ways of connecting to the return pipe. Whoever you have take a look at it and say they may ruin the underground pipe just had no experience with anything other then straightforward equipment connections.

Now while we have your ear, instead of installing another tablet chlorinator you should consider installing a SWG.

I suggest you review TFPC Methods described in....

www.troublefreepool.com

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
 
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ajw22 said:
ajw22 said:
You need someone experienced with PVC. They can come from anywhere, a plumber or a pool company or a handyman.

There are various tricks of the trade. Some of which are described in PVC Repair - Further Reading

A heat gun and careful hacksawing may be able to remove that 90.

Or the pipe can be cut at the bottom of the 90 and the stub is enough to glue on a coupler.

Even if the pipe was cut off flush with the concrete, a MagicMend will easily solve the problem. The MagicMend insider connector will join two pieces of PVC schedule 40 pipe together.

It is an "inside slip connector." They are designed to slip inside of PVC pipe. They're available in 1.5" or 2".

So I see at least three ways of connecting to the return pipe. Whoever you have take a look at it and say they may ruin the underground pipe just had no experience with anything other then straightforward equipment connections.

Now while we have your ear, instead of installing another tablet chlorinator you should consider installing a SWG.

I suggest you review TFPC Methods described in....

www.troublefreepool.com

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for the useful info and I will definitely look into the SWG😄
Click to expand...



ajw22 said:
You need someone experienced with PVC. They can come from anywhere, a plumber or a pool company or a handyman.

There are various tricks of the trade. Some of which are described in PVC Repair - Further Reading

A heat gun and careful hacksawing may be able to remove that 90.

Or the pipe can be cut at the bottom of the 90 and the stub is enough to glue on a coupler.

Even if the pipe was cut off flush with the concrete, a MagicMend will easily solve the problem. The MagicMend insider connector will join two pieces of PVC schedule 40 pipe together.

It is an "inside slip connector." They are designed to slip inside of PVC pipe. They're available in 1.5" or 2".

So I see at least three ways of connecting to the return pipe. Whoever you have take a look at it and say they may ruin the underground pipe just had no experience with anything other then straightforward equipment connections.

Now while we have your ear, instead of installing another tablet chlorinator you should consider installing a SWG.

I suggest you review TFPC Methods described in....

www.troublefreepool.com

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
Click to expand...
 
I’m no expert, and not saying this will work for you, but I had a hairline crack in a PVC pipe going into my salt cell a while back…. Read all the fix-it tricks on the internet. I ended up ordering some PVC fix-it stuff, but it was going to take days to arrive. Another site recommended just using PVC glue after cleaning with the purple primer (like fixing your sprinkler system). The glue ends up “melting” the PVC and rebonding the pipe while also adding an extra layer of support.

I ended up doing the PVC glue while waiting for the special ‘fix-it’ to arrive and a year later it’s still holding strong.

Like I said, I’m not an expert in this and it may not work for you, but just using PVC glue over the top of the crack was a great solution for me.
 
EvermoreUW said:
I’m no expert, and not saying this will work for you, but I had a hairline crack in a PVC pipe going into my salt cell a while back…. Read all the fix-it tricks on the internet. I ended up ordering some PVC fix-it stuff, but it was going to take days to arrive. Another site recommended just using PVC glue after cleaning with the purple primer (like fixing your sprinkler system). The glue ends up “melting” the PVC and rebonding the pipe while also adding an extra layer of support.

I ended up doing the PVC glue while waiting for the special ‘fix-it’ to arrive and a year later it’s still holding strong.

Like I said, I’m not an expert in this and it may not work for you, but just using PVC glue over the top of the crack was a great solution for me.
Click to expand...

I don't think that is a good idea for this situation.

You can see a bunch of goop put on the elbow and the pipe where people tried to patch it. More patching like that will just make the ultimate long term fix harder to do.

Do it right and do it once.
 
EvermoreUW said:
I’m no expert, and not saying this will work for you, but I had a hairline crack in a PVC pipe going into my salt cell a while back…. Read all the fix-it tricks on the internet. I ended up ordering some PVC fix-it stuff, but it was going to take days to arrive. Another site recommended just using PVC glue after cleaning with the purple primer (like fixing your sprinkler system). The glue ends up “melting” the PVC and rebonding the pipe while also adding an extra layer of support.

I ended up doing the PVC glue while waiting for the special ‘fix-it’ to arrive and a year later it’s still holding strong.

Like I said, I’m not an expert in this and it may not work for you, but just using PVC glue over the top of the crack was a great solution for me.
Click to expand...
I’m definitely up for options and will try this out, as it seems to be a task getting anyone to come and fix this! Thank you
 

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ajw22 said:
You need someone experienced with PVC. They can come from anywhere, a plumber or a pool company or a handyman.

There are various tricks of the trade. Some of which are described in PVC Repair - Further Reading

A heat gun and careful hacksawing may be able to remove that 90.

Or the pipe can be cut at the bottom of the 90 and the stub is enough to glue on a coupler.

Even if the pipe was cut off flush with the concrete, a MagicMend will easily solve the problem. The MagicMend insider connector will join two pieces of PVC schedule 40 pipe together.

It is an "inside slip connector." They are designed to slip inside of PVC pipe. They're available in 1.5" or 2".

So I see at least three ways of connecting to the return pipe. Whoever you have take a look at it and say they may ruin the underground pipe just had no experience with anything other then straightforward equipment connections.

Now while we have your ear, instead of installing another tablet chlorinator you should consider installing a SWG.

I suggest you review TFPC Methods described in....

www.troublefreepool.com

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, the pipe going into the ground appears to be CPVC, not standard PVC. If so, it has a slightly smaller inside diameter (1.939") compared to regular PVC (2.067"). A standard MagicMend won't fit without modification as they are made for standard PVC. It can be done, I've made it work, but it is better tried by someone who has a lot of experience with PVC when working that close to the ground. Force the extender into the pipe and it will split. You get one shot at it then it is time to start cutting concrete.

I echo the suggestion, get rid of the tab feeder.
 
1poolman1 said:
Unfortunately, the pipe going into the ground appears to be CPVC, not standard PVC. If so, it has a slightly smaller inside diameter (1.939") compared to regular PVC (2.067"). A standard MagicMend won't fit without modification as they are made for standard PVC.
Click to expand...

Thanks for spotting that. Good to know about the difference in ID between CPVC and PVC.
 
If you are not handy see if you can find a plumber for a one hour job. Should take him about 15 minutes total to remove chlorinator, replace elbow and you will be back in business. Unless you want to keep the chlorinator in which case it will still be a 15 minute job.
 
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