Leak in system after filter, before SWG

Psych

Member
Nov 13, 2023
7
Florida
Pool Size
15000
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
SWG Type
CircuPool Universal40
Hi all,

Late last year, early this year I popped up around here and did a ton of reading (and one or two forum posts) before upgrading my pump, adding 2 inch lines on the pad and ridding myself of reducers that had been added to accommodate 2 inch ports on the filter and pump. I also tossed in a SWG for good measure, but that's probably not relevant here. I added a Calimar VS 3.0 HP with the understanding that more HP would allow my pump to run at slower speeds. Previously there was a 1.5 HP single speed pump installed.

Shortly after install (almost two days) I increased the pump to something like 2500 RPM to test for leaks. Almost immediately the inlet into the filter failed in a strange way (attached). After one (or two) smaller leaks at a reduced speed I got everything steady at 1500 RPM. Within a few months I pushed that up to 1750 RPM as it didn't look like the skimmer was doing a great job skimming. Two weeks after, another leak after the filter. It's slow, but steady, and like the others seems to be coming from the threads on the adapter.

I shared a diagram of my vision for the pad on here shortly before/after install and no one had any immediate concerns for it. It's also very similar to how it was before, except with the addition of a SWG instead of chlorine puck dispenser.

Very long story short, how the heck do people achieve leak free installs? I followed the guidance I could find on the internet and instruction manuals and used teflon tape on the threads before tightening up. Should I be doing something else? Pipe joint compound?

Am I putting too much water through the pipes? For reference at these speeds my filter PSI is between 5 & 10, less after it's been freshly cleaned. If it is too much pressure, wouldn't I expect to see it somewhere around the pump and not the filter?
 

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Hi all,

Late last year, early this year I popped up around here and did a ton of reading (and one or two forum posts) before upgrading my pump, adding 2 inch lines on the pad and ridding myself of reducers that had been added to accommodate 2 inch ports on the filter and pump. I also tossed in a SWG for good measure, but that's probably not relevant here. I added a Calimar VS 3.0 HP with the understanding that more HP would allow my pump to run at slower speeds. Previously there was a 1.5 HP single speed pump installed.

Shortly after install (almost two days) I increased the pump to something like 2500 RPM to test for leaks. Almost immediately the inlet into the filter failed in a strange way (attached). After one (or two) smaller leaks at a reduced speed I got everything steady at 1500 RPM. Within a few months I pushed that up to 1750 RPM as it didn't look like the skimmer was doing a great job skimming. Two weeks after, another leak after the filter. It's slow, but steady, and like the others seems to be coming from the threads on the adapter.

I shared a diagram of my vision for the pad on here shortly before/after install and no one had any immediate concerns for it. It's also very similar to how it was before, except with the addition of a SWG instead of chlorine puck dispenser.

Very long story short, how the heck do people achieve leak free installs? I followed the guidance I could find on the internet and instruction manuals and used teflon tape on the threads before tightening up. Should I be doing something else? Pipe joint compound?

Am I putting too much water through the pipes? For reference at these speeds my filter PSI is between 5 & 10, less after it's been freshly cleaned. If it is too much pressure, wouldn't I expect to see it somewhere around the pump and not the filter?
Did you wrap the teflon tape the correct direction? I use pipe compound on PVC joints but you have to be careful not to overtighten. I also avoid threaded joints as much as possible. Properly fitted joints shouldnt leak even at very high pressure.
 
Good point, yes, I wrapped the teflon tape in the right direction. Almost didn't. Can you elaborate on not over tightening when using pipe compound. Is that just for fear of cracking?


I also avoid threaded joints as much as possible. Properly fitted joints shouldnt leak even at very high pressure.

How would I avoid a threaded joint here? My C900 has threaded in/out and I use a male adapter like this and a pipe glued into it to get to the 90.
 
Good point, yes, I wrapped the teflon tape in the right direction. Almost didn't. Can you elaborate on not over tightening when using pipe compound. Is that just for fear of cracking?

Yea, the compound acts as a lubricant and lets you
Tighten farther than normal. I wasnt saying to not use threaded joints ever, just not use them unless its nexessary, which sounds like it is in this case.

One thing I notice, ive never been able to threaded those fittings flush like you seem to have them. They always tighten up way earlier. Are the threads damaged, or maybe different type? Kinda grasping at straws.
 
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