Drain Cover Repair

[ZA189RE]

I have a dilemma with my drain covers. The screws were sticking up and when I tried to tighten them, the plastic was so brittle that it cracked into pieces and no the screws don't have anything to dig in to so one cover is completely off. I would like to reattach the drain cover so I tried an underwater putty epoxy, but that didn't work at all; it couldn't adhere the plastic PVC to the pebble tech plaster.

Maybe there's another good multi-purpose under water adhesive that I don't know about or I need to drain the water and have it professionally re-plastered. I'm not sure if I'm on the right track with trying a water proof adhesive.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[kimkats]

I have a couple of people who may have an idea or two. If anyone else sees this feel free to jump in!

 

[ZA189RE]

Thank you.

This may be a cosmetic thing more than for safety. I usually have the intake valve from the drain shut. The pool does a fantastic job of circulating and cleaning itself through the skimmer. My main concern would be if I ever want to sell the house, I don't want someone freaking out about the exposed drain pipe.

I would like to find a solution before the temperature gets too cold. I want to avoid emptying the pool. It would be a shame to drain my perfectly good water.

 

[chiefwej]

I have the exact same drains. I have no suggestions. I’m just interested in the solution, since I’ll be facing the same issue in the future.

 

[Shirker]

It is not the cover that is broken, right? But the posts that are embedded in the plaster are stripped out? Can you use slightly larger/longer screws?

 

[ZA189RE]

You are correct the cover is not damaged at all. It's the plastic posts underneath that stick up from the plaster cracked into pieces. Where they used to be is basically flush with the floor. No way screw into unless I drill new holes. That would be a challenge under water.

 

[kimkats]

I am working on getting an answer on what needs to be done. I am guessing we are not going to like the answer but............ya do what ya gotta do. As soon as I know for sure I will share with you.

 

[JimMarshall]

ZA, what underwater epoxy putty did you use?

 

[ZA189RE]

I tried the J-B water weld 8277 epoxy putty. I think it works best bonding plastic to plastic. I applied a pea size amount to the posts on the bottom of the cover, then dived down wearing the kids' goggles and pressed it to the floor and stood on it for the 25 minute set time. An hour later the cover was lying next to the drain. The putty didn't harden.