cant seperate union

[anthony21078]

Hayward VS pump was installed at the beginning of the summer with some new plumbing. Im trying to seperate this union but it wont budge. I dont know what it looks like on the inside (meaning if it is some type of slip fit connection or mearly pressed together with a o-ring) but I cant seperate it. Any suggestions?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Anthony,

I use a large pipe wrench when they get stuck...

Could use a strap wrench, but I don't own one..

That said... it appears you got it, looking at your pics..

Jim R.

 

[anthony21078]

Yes I was able to remove the threaded circular section witha wrench. But, now that the fitting is unscrewed I can not seperate the 2 pipes. They are stuck together

 

[setsailsoon]

Antony,

If it's close coupled on both sides you may need to loosen the pump mounting so it can slide away. All that's there is a flat mating surface on both sides and one has a grove with an o-ring.

Chris

 

[Jimrahbe]

Anthony.

As Chris points out, there should be nothing holding them together... Maybe a little dirt, but no glue or anything else.

Jim R.

 

[sktn77a]

The rubber o-ring has probably perished and melted onto the surfaces of both sides of the union. It will come apart with enough oomph!

 

[JamesW]

It's possible that PVC primer or glue dripped from the top connection into the mating surfaces and they are now welded together.

 

[duraleigh]

Can't tell, but it doesn't look like you have much room to break it free. Can you tap it with a rubber mallet just to break any seal that may have inadvertently formed?

 

[jimmythegreek]

Undo the other pump connection and wiggle it out. Good chance it dropped glue like James mentioned it happens all the time

 

[anthony21078]

Looks like some glue made it's way down

 

[JamesW]

Yep, that's what happened. People aren't always careful gluing.

 

[setsailsoon]

Good call James. Sloppy work!

 

[Rattus Suffocatus]

You fixed it with the appropriate amount of brute force and ignorance. Nice work!

 

[anthony21078]

I'm away from the pump right now and haven't fully winterized it yet. Does the top pipe likely have some type of o-ring in there or are both services supposed to be smooth and just sit flush together?

I know I have to get that glue off so I'm guessing some light sanding would be the best option?

 

[JamesW]

The top part has an O-ring. I would probably scrape the surfaces smooth with a razor knife. Sanding can work as long as you can get the surfaces smooth enough. Maybe use several different sandpaper grits and work down to a super fine grit to polish the surface smooth.