Plumbing Tutorial???

[hlemon]

I was wondering if anyone was bored this afternoon and might be able to help me decipher my pool plumbing. I forgot to take a picture this morning, so I drew this pretty lame diagram...but you get the point.

I think that the first valve controls my french drain that is installed. The second valve is my two skimmers to my pool, right? The reason I'm asking... I've been stopping up my skimmers by putting my plastic cover plate over it when I use my manual vacuum, but evidently, I was supposed to be cutting off one of the skimmers using the handle on on the valves.

Both valves have a handle like my six way on my filter. The handle has markings that indicate "off" and I think that if that "off" is directed towards any line...it closes it up, right?

 

[JasonLion]

Everything you said sounds reasonable. However, it is impossible to be sure where any particular pipe runs without trying it. You described the three way valve correctly. You can try turning off one side and then the other and see if the skimmers stop working one at a time as you expect.

 

[hlemon]

I am going to test it out tonight. So, as long as I don't turn the "off" handle on valve #2 towards the line leading to the pump...I shouldn't deprive the pump of water, right?

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[JasonLion]

It is usually best to turn off the pump when experimenting with the valves. If you never turn the pipe to the pump off you don't have to turn the pump off, but it is safer in case you make a mistake.

 

[pool4me]

I just have to chime in and say that:

That is the best "lame" diagram I've ever seen ! Very professional looking.

If I did a quick drawing, it would look like a 5 year old drew it.

 

[hlemon]

Awww....that's so sweet! I always feel so "untechnical" compared to all the smarties on this board! :lol:

BTW- jandy valve worked just like I thought it would. Now I'm just waiting for my new auto pool cleaner to test out my new knowledge.

 

[hlemon]

Don't want to start a new thread since this is plumping related.

I have another question about disguising this monstrosity. Our pump and filter sit on a concrete pad right out in the open for everyone to see.

My husband is wanting to build a painted plywood box around it to not only disguise it, but to muffle the sound as well. We were thinking of building a normal 4 sided box with a hinged lid that opens back up onto the fence for access to the pump and skimmer valves.

My question is...we live in a really hot and humid climate, is it possible that we are going to burn our pump up by encasing it in plywood? What are our options here?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Big Thunder]

I wouldn't build a box to fit over it. I definitely would look into a small decorative fence though. Something to hide it from view but allow maintenance and air flow.

 

[waste]

How about a 4 X 8' section of lattice in front of it? Get an 8' 4X 4, cut it in half and secure the lattice to it. This will hide the system from casual view and still allow ventilation and a view to the pool from the pad! - there are times you'll want to be able to see the pool when playing around at the equipment pad

BTW - HI! hope you're having a great summer :-D

 

[hlemon]

That's the way I'm leaning too. Although, our stupid doughboy pump sounds like a harley! LOL All the sound but none of the 'cool'. I might be in the market for a new pump!

Hi Ted! We are having a GREAT summer, in part, due to the great advice that you were able to give me last season! I just love how knowledgeable you all are! It's like having my very own pool boy....times 10! I hope you and your fam are having a great summer too!

I can't wait to post the pictures of what we've done with our backyard. It looks like a totally different space! We just have the pump monstrosity left to deal with.

 

[waste]

Heather, life is good Thanks for the well wishes!

I've been 'off line' for 2 days - worked til 9 thurs and went to see Jackson Browne last night (GREAT concert!!!!) - the layout at Foxwood's MGM theater is awesome!!! not a bad seat in the house


Tell us a little more about the pump and I'll bet we can help you

 

[hlemon]

Jackson Browne, huh? I'll bet that was a good concert!!! Where is Foxwood's MGM theatre?

OK, the pump is a doughboy, of course. I have noticed that it is more quiet when you put weight on the housing unit or the pump lid. My husband wants to lay a landscaping brick on top of it to take the noise down, but I didn't know if that was a good idea or not.

We built the pump blind that we had discussed. Got an 8' section of privacy fence to go in front and then "boxed" the whole concrete pad with plywood to give the fencing some stability. The side of the box, minus the fence, is only about 2.5 feet with an open top.

It is AMAZING how much that has muffled the sound! Once I get it all decorated and pretty, I'll show you what we came up with. I think it looks nice, but its obvious that we are hiding something back there. We also bought another section of fence and cut it to make a "changing" stall on our patio. I LOVE how that turned out too and will try to get pics taken when we're finished.

 

[waste]

Awaiting the pics with baited breath :-D

There are a couple ways to quiet the motor (it sounds like the trouble is pump vibration on the concrete pad) - you can either bolt it down to the concrete or stick something under the pump (wood shims would work or a thin rubber pad, even an old towel under the pump would help)

Foxwoods is a casino in eastern Ct. It's ~ in Uncasville and is run by the native American Indians on their reservation. There's another casino Mohegan a few miles away which also hosts concerts and between the 2 of them, they are trying to steal some of the wind from Atlantic City

 

[hlemon]

I would really like to visit up your direction someday. That's an area of the country that I've never seen. My BIL lives in Wilmington, DE. I'd like to go visit him and take about a week driving around New England.

The pump is bolted to the concrete pad. We placed a landscaping rock on the "housing" and it seems to be cutting the noise quite a bit. I wonder if the bolts need to be tightened or something. It doesn't seem like its loose or anything though.

 

[waste]

I'm pretty sure that what you're hearing is pump vibration on the pad, If the bolt's aren't tight, that would explain it, however - the anchors in the pad may have become loose

As said, shims or something placed under the pump should enable you to get the rock off the housing

 

[h2ctpdjl]

Another option for fencing in your pool equipment. I have attached a picture of what I did. It didn't cost much and got the vinyl fencing sections at Lowe's. I opted NOT to attach the sections together by inserting screws into the brackets; instead, just I just let each section "rest" in the braces. Thus, each one is removable for easy access to the equipment.

 

[hlemon]

Crud. I'll go check it tonight waste and see what's up. I really hope the bolts haven't started pulling away, what do you have to do then, redrill and reposition the pump?

That looks SO nice! You guys did a GREAT job h2ctpdjl! I really like the way that turned out.