Hello I am in the process of replacing all the plumbing to my in ground pool. I have a pool company doing the actual skimmers and jets and I am going to run all the pipes and replumb the pump and filter. When I start laying my pipe in trenches do you recommend gravel or sand underneath the pipes to give them support? Or just the material that was dug out of the hole? My 2nd question is when I thread a male adapter into the return jets, should I use thread sealant or silicon or both? I have seen multiple answers. Thanks for any help.
Pool pipe replacement
- Thread starter WiscoHunter1995
- Start date
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,869
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,059
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Construction Best Practices - Further Reading
www.troublefreepool.com
Placing pea gravel or 2" of clean sand above and below the plumbing will help to protect the pipes. Pea gravel will not settle and wash out the way sand may around the pipes and better support it long term.
Bill1974
Well-known member
- Jun 18, 2014
- 659
- Pool Size
- 32000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Compact the soil in the trench to start with if it's been disturbed. Then bed the pipe in pea gravel, stone or sand. Use materials that require little to no compaction around the pipe. Sand does have a greater risk of washing if there is a leak. Also consider the surrounding soils, don't try to fill over soupy mud. I use pea gravel and #57 stone. Only downsides are the cost and not fun to dig back up. Other materials can be used, but it's more work to get fully compacted.
For the thread sealant, first check the fitting to make sure there were molded well and that there is not a step or mismatch in the male threads from the mold halve not being aligned. It's generally only an issue on male threads. Also check the threads are not out of round. The fittings should thread together without tough spots. Don't over tighten. I have used Oatay Hercules and Oatay standard pipe dope without issue. Don't try using PVC cement, it will likely setup before the fittings are fully threaded together.
If you can install the threaded fittings in the skimmer housing before they are installed it's a lot easier.
For the thread sealant, first check the fitting to make sure there were molded well and that there is not a step or mismatch in the male threads from the mold halve not being aligned. It's generally only an issue on male threads. Also check the threads are not out of round. The fittings should thread together without tough spots. Don't over tighten. I have used Oatay Hercules and Oatay standard pipe dope without issue. Don't try using PVC cement, it will likely setup before the fittings are fully threaded together.
If you can install the threaded fittings in the skimmer housing before they are installed it's a lot easier.