Hi TFP members,
I recently struggled through clearing obstructions in my pool's sweep piping and learned a few things that seem they should not exist but are common in pool construction:
1. The sweep piping is smaller diameter piping than the skimmer circuit piping. By definition, smaller diameter is more prone to clogging.
2. The sweep piping is assembled with 90 degree elbows instead of using two 45 degree elbows for turns. The small pipe diameter with 90 degree elbows makes running a pipe snake through the system a very difficult and tedious process.
3. There are no clean-out ports installed on the sweep piping runs even though by definition a sweep pipe is carrying a fluid stream that contains debris, that may become clogged and caught.
4. I could not find one commercial plumber willing to work on a pool sweep piping clog. And given the time I later found was necessary for me to clear the obstruction in my piping, the hourly cost to have had aplumber do the job would have been horrendously expensive.
5. I followed all the advice commonly given for using back-flushing using the expanding rubber bladders, etc. and only achieved partial improvement.
Certainly, some may ask why did I let stuff get sucked into the sweep that could clog the pipe? Well, that is the function of the system - it is a vacuum and I am amazed the industry does not promote construction techniques that would plan for an easily foreseeable situation of the sweep piping getting obstructed. My pool was constructed by a reputable pool builder using standard equipment and they did not install recommend any leaf trap canisters, etc. These items probably address part of the issue but still don't help with clearing a clog if it should occur for any reason.
I eventually was able to run a small diamter 25 foot cable drain snake into my system from the pool inlet side and from the Jandy valve side. To navigate the multiple turns I had to carefully adjust the helix diameter and tip angle on the nose of the snake everytime the snake got jammed at a corner and would not proceed. This required inserting and removing the snake many times over and over to perform a tip adjustment. Now that I have the tip adjusted as needed, I can snake the pipes without too much difficulty. None of this would be needed if 45 degree elbows had been used and if clean-out ports had been installed at the major turns between pipe runs. My situation is not unique - I found many in the same situation. Do a search for how to clear a pool piping clog. I even was told by a local pool shop that could put me in touch with an operation that uses compressed air like scuba tanks to blow the lines but this seemed like a real Hail Mary solution.
Anyways, just a thought for those in the industry to consider upping the game and improve the way the plumbing is installed to have features that are forward-looking to assist with maintenance. I know what I would specify if I ever contracted for another pool construction - I want 45s, clean-out ports and an as- built pipe diagram.
Thanks!
I recently struggled through clearing obstructions in my pool's sweep piping and learned a few things that seem they should not exist but are common in pool construction:
1. The sweep piping is smaller diameter piping than the skimmer circuit piping. By definition, smaller diameter is more prone to clogging.
2. The sweep piping is assembled with 90 degree elbows instead of using two 45 degree elbows for turns. The small pipe diameter with 90 degree elbows makes running a pipe snake through the system a very difficult and tedious process.
3. There are no clean-out ports installed on the sweep piping runs even though by definition a sweep pipe is carrying a fluid stream that contains debris, that may become clogged and caught.
4. I could not find one commercial plumber willing to work on a pool sweep piping clog. And given the time I later found was necessary for me to clear the obstruction in my piping, the hourly cost to have had aplumber do the job would have been horrendously expensive.
5. I followed all the advice commonly given for using back-flushing using the expanding rubber bladders, etc. and only achieved partial improvement.
Certainly, some may ask why did I let stuff get sucked into the sweep that could clog the pipe? Well, that is the function of the system - it is a vacuum and I am amazed the industry does not promote construction techniques that would plan for an easily foreseeable situation of the sweep piping getting obstructed. My pool was constructed by a reputable pool builder using standard equipment and they did not install recommend any leaf trap canisters, etc. These items probably address part of the issue but still don't help with clearing a clog if it should occur for any reason.
I eventually was able to run a small diamter 25 foot cable drain snake into my system from the pool inlet side and from the Jandy valve side. To navigate the multiple turns I had to carefully adjust the helix diameter and tip angle on the nose of the snake everytime the snake got jammed at a corner and would not proceed. This required inserting and removing the snake many times over and over to perform a tip adjustment. Now that I have the tip adjusted as needed, I can snake the pipes without too much difficulty. None of this would be needed if 45 degree elbows had been used and if clean-out ports had been installed at the major turns between pipe runs. My situation is not unique - I found many in the same situation. Do a search for how to clear a pool piping clog. I even was told by a local pool shop that could put me in touch with an operation that uses compressed air like scuba tanks to blow the lines but this seemed like a real Hail Mary solution.
Anyways, just a thought for those in the industry to consider upping the game and improve the way the plumbing is installed to have features that are forward-looking to assist with maintenance. I know what I would specify if I ever contracted for another pool construction - I want 45s, clean-out ports and an as- built pipe diagram.
Thanks!
