Arghhhhh... multiple leaks!

[kellyfair]

Not from the liner, thank goodness. But my PVC connections are definitely leaking. Hard to say exactly where it is coming from. I’ll have to inspect it all in the am - too annoyed to mess with it right now, and it will be dark in another hour or so.

Should I have done something more than primer and glue on each connection? The guy at Home Depot didn’t give me any other instructions.

 

[Casey]

Did you cut the pvc yourself? If you don't sand down the rough cuts (little nubs of plastic) on the new cuts, it could cause leaks.

 

[Texas Splash]

Ugh. Yes, give us some more details about exactly how you did the repair, and perhaps show us a picture of one of the bad areas.

 

[kellyfair]

I did, and I sanded all the rough bits off.

I’ll take photos tomorrow when light... gonna dry everything off as best I can and then try to determine where water is coming from.

 

[RonsPlc]

I had the same thing this year... had to take the PVC off of the intex fitting (unscrew the collar), and reposition the washer (I flipped mine around).
No more leak.

 

[jopheso]

Two things I have learned the hard way when gluing PVC pipe together. Always put a second coat of glue on the pipe right before you push them together. so my process is, primer the pipe going inside, then primer the fitting it is going in to, then primer the pipe again. Glue the pipe, then glue the fitting, then glue the pipe again, then push them together. The second thing I learned is that the pipe will always try tp push itself out of the fitting initially. so when you push them together you have to hold it with a lot of pressure for a slow 30 count.

I can really relate to the frustration you feel on the leaking PVC connection. Especially when you make every effort to do it correctly and it still leaks...UUUUGGGG

 

[kellyfair]

It is definitely aggravating! When I did it, I primed both pieces, glued both pieces, then inserted, twisted and held it pushed in for about thirty seconds.

In looking at it this morning, I can’t say for sure but it doesn’t look like the leaking is from the glued areas, but from the threaded areas. I pulled it all apart and I am letting everything dry out. Heading to Home Depot or Lowe’s in a bit. I’m thinking tape should be used on the threaded bits?

Two things I have learned the hard way when gluing PVC pipe together. Always put a second coat of glue on the pipe right before you push them together. so my process is, primer the pipe going inside, then primer the fitting it is going in to, then primer the pipe again. Glue the pipe, then glue the fitting, then glue the pipe again, then push them together. The second thing I learned is that the pipe will always try tp push itself out of the fitting initially. so when you push them together you have to hold it with a lot of pressure for a slow 30 count.

I can really relate to the frustration you feel on the leaking PVC connection. Especially when you make every effort to do it correctly and it still leaks...UUUUGGGG

 

[Texas Splash]

I’m thinking tape should be used on the threaded bits?

Some plumber's tape could work. If you have gaskets, perhaps add some silicone pool lube to those as well.

 

[kellyfair]

Ok, got tape, but I probably won’t be able to mess with it again until tomorrow evening - I will be out of town until late in the day. I will update you when I get everything hooked back up!

 

[zea3]

You have to be careful with plumber's tape, no more than 3 wraps around, wrapped counter clock wise. Too much tape can prevent a good seal. You can also use pipe dope instead of tape. Pipe dope stays soft and gives a good seal. Be sure you lube any o-rings and that they are well seated when you put things back together.

 

[kellyfair]

Will do... thank you for all the info!

 

[cfherrman]

Teflon tape is a million times better than dope, use it for every thread sealed connection (npt)

 

[abycat]

Teflon tape is a million times better than dope, use it for every thread sealed connection (npt)

the best i have found is a few wraps of tape then a light coating of dope on the top of the tape.

 

[kellyfair]

the best i have found is a few wraps of tape then a light coating of dope on the top of the tape.

I saw that on a couple of YouTube videos. I like the idea of using both!

I just got home after a looooong day in Orlando, so I’m not touching anything until tomorrow.

 

[kellyfair]

This is making me CRAZY. I used Teflon tape and pipe dope for all of my PVC connections, and that seems to have done the trick (although who knows what will happen when I can finally turn the pump on.)

But I’m still having trouble with one of the Intex hoses. I cut new gaskets for all of them and most of them seem to be leak free, except for the one in the video. I switched out this particular hose for a different one and cut yet another two gaskets for it, and still, I get a slow drip.

And now I can’t figure out how to upload my little video. :-(

 

[kellyfair]

Still can’t figure out how to upload video. The connection that is closest to the left side of photo is the one with the slow drip.

 

[Texas Splash]

Did you lube the gaskets?

 

[kellyfair]

Yep.

 

[kellyfair]

I’m cautiously optimistic. I scrapped the Intex hoses and started over again, using flex hose, the nuts from the old hoses, and 1.5” box adapters from Lowe’s. So far, so good, but we’ll see what happens when the water gets high enough to turn on the pump. Fingers crossed!

 

[Texas Splash]

Good luck!