Backstory (skip if you don't care):
I have inherited care of my in-laws' 40 year-old pool for my kids to use. I was in the midst of turning it from green to blue when a valve went bad (I think). I got the pool blue, but couldn't finish vacuuming before I had my issue, so there's still a lot of debris on the bottom. At the moment, I appear to have full suction from the main drain but none from the skimmer - at least I have circulation so my chems are staying in range.
I thought the line was clogged but I blew it out with a bladder and saw water topping out of the pump basket, so I'm now convinced that the old, brass ball valve is stripped...the main drain valve is on its last leg as well. I should also note that there are a good many tiny bubbles coming out of the return jets, so seems there may be an air leak suction-side somewhere (I'm hoping its the valves). I've tied plastic bags around the pump fittings to no avail. In any case, I'll probably just be re-plumbing the entire suction side of the pad (see below).
My thoughts:
My questions:
Thanks in advance! Enjoying the forums.
Scott
I have inherited care of my in-laws' 40 year-old pool for my kids to use. I was in the midst of turning it from green to blue when a valve went bad (I think). I got the pool blue, but couldn't finish vacuuming before I had my issue, so there's still a lot of debris on the bottom. At the moment, I appear to have full suction from the main drain but none from the skimmer - at least I have circulation so my chems are staying in range.
I thought the line was clogged but I blew it out with a bladder and saw water topping out of the pump basket, so I'm now convinced that the old, brass ball valve is stripped...the main drain valve is on its last leg as well. I should also note that there are a good many tiny bubbles coming out of the return jets, so seems there may be an air leak suction-side somewhere (I'm hoping its the valves). I've tied plastic bags around the pump fittings to no avail. In any case, I'll probably just be re-plumbing the entire suction side of the pad (see below).
- The filter is a Hayward S-310S sand filter
- The old brass pump has Premeir stamped on the side, but the tags on the motor have been completely wiped away so I can't make out the HP.
- There is an Intec Water Doctor I system installed (copper ionization - the clear PVC you see in the pic has the copper bars inside).
- All 1.5" pipes and fittings (I had NOTHING to do with this setup)
My thoughts:
- I've just purchased two Jandy NeverLube 2-ports to replace the brass valves on the skimmer and main lines. I opted for two of these instead of one 3-port so that I could close them off while emptying the pump basket, hoping to avoid losing prime while doing so. Thoughts?
- I want to install unions wherever they would be of any benefit - new to this, so don't know what I don't know...ya know?
- I'm thinking about installing a short length of clear PVC (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=39378&catid=592) on either side of the pump to monitor flow because this old pump doesn't have a clear basket lid
My questions:
- First of all, how would you re-plumb this (suction side)
- Didn't I read somewhere that there should be some minimum pipe distance leading into the pump? What is it? Should I push the pump back to allow for it?
Thanks in advance! Enjoying the forums.
Scott