I'm going to lose my mind - plug stuck in skimmer pipe

[allentam911]

First time pool owner. My pump is quite a bit higher than the pool level so I was told to get this priming plug so that I can easily reprime the pump.

It works, but then the black rubber part separated from the metal part and got sucked into the skimmer pipe.

The pipe is 2 inch and the plug is 1.5 inch. It allows some flow but it's not completely blocked. The pool company tried vacuuming or blowing it but it won't work because it's not a complete seal. But the flow is impeded enough that my filter only gets 2 psi.

I'm at my witts end here. I just got this property and just want to swim, already spent over 7,000 dollars and it's still not swimmable. The pool company can't get the plug out. Do I need to dig the pool out and basically remake the pool?

 

[Newdude]

How deep is it in the pipe ? Can you see it ?

I got mine past a 90 with a shop vac and 30 mins of trying. It went in so it can come out, if the suction air jiggles it the right way.

My next go to would be a straightened metal coat hanger with a little L at the end

 

[allentam911]

Can't see it. No idea where the plug is. The pool company already tried to blow it out with the shop vac

Do I call a plumber ?

 

[allentam911]

Unfortunately no one is able to remove the plug. The entire pool needs to be excavated out and repiped. Quote is around ~100k which I do not have right now.

Should I drain the pool completely then and just cover it?

 

[allentam911]

First time pool owner. My pump is quite a bit higher than the pool level so I was told to get this priming plug so that I can easily reprime the pump.

It works, but then the black rubber part separated from the metal part and got sucked into the skimmer pipe.

The pool company can't blow it out cause the pipe is 2 inches but the plug is 1.5 inches.

I'm being quoted 100k to dig up the pool and basically make a new pool. I can't afford that right now. Please help even the pool company doesn't know what to do

 

[TinFoilHat]

That's a good one. Dig up an entire pool to unplug one pipe. And it's only $100000. Is that a today-only offer? Post pics of your pool from a couple of angles showing the skimmer and pics of the pool equipment from several angles.

 

[fjzsocal]

Seems like you should be able to push it out with something like a plumbing snake. Or get an endoscope (https://www.amazon.com/Teslong-Bore...-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&smid=AFI3X2X3YFS02&th=1) to see where it is, then dig out the pipe only in that spot and do a local repair.
Generally speaking you might be better off with a normal plumber instead of a pool guy.

 

[TinFoilHat]

Apparently you posted this twice. How about a plumber with a camera system to at least see where it is located at?

 

[ol_whistle_britches]

Call a plumber. That’s a real bummer to get stuck, but the shape of it and the threaded fitting makes me think it might be able to be retrieved with some combination of drain snake and bore scope camera. If nothing else you might be able to use a drain snake from the skimmer side to push the plug through the line to a diverter valve.

This isn’t a 100k problem. Get a second opinion. Worst come to worst, it’s just a matter of abandoning the old line. No new pool needed. That’s hogwash.

 

[Uhhello]

Wonder how many times that offer to do it for $100k works for em

 

[PoolStored]

Call a plumber. That’s a real bummer to get stuck, but the shape of it and the threaded fitting makes me think it might be able to be retrieved with some combination of drain snake and bore scope camera. If nothing else you might be able to use a drain snake from the skimmer side to push the plug through the line to a diverter valve.

Please do NOT use a drain snake into the plumbing, it will get stuck. They are not made to go around the "hard" 90-degree fittings used in pool plumbing. Get it past two and it may not come out.

 

[Casey]

You can always do what I did and replumb the suction side along side of the concrete. You'll have to dig to get to the skimmer to cut the line and replumb it.

 

[proavia]

Ok, let's take a step back and get a little more info.

• Please verify if the black rubber end separated from the brass metal part?
• If so, did only the black rubber part fall in the pipe?
• Did the part fall in near the pump or near the skimmer?
• If nearer the skimmer, post a few pics of the pool and deck area near the skimmer.
• If nearer the pump, post pics of the equipment pad area.

It is doubtful your entire pool will need to be removed and redone to locate the part in the pipe.

Based on your verification of what part and where it fell in, we can probably provide a few options to retrieve the part. Don't attempt anything until you are able to provide a bit more info.

The part is likey stuck one or two ninety degree fittings in.

 

[generessler]

Fwiw, in the past, a recommendation for stuff dropped down skimmer pipes has been to use a plumber's drain bladder on the pump side to send water backward through the pipe.... carefully with not too much pressure.