More Fun With Plumbing

[Wobblerlorri]

I have two leaks, one at the skimmer and one at the new outlet I installed. I know exactly what is causing them:

1. Skimmer -- Hayward Dura-Skim I put in 3 years ago. I cut the butterfly gasket and then I don't think I got them properly aligned, or screwed in as tightly as I should have. Then I put a whole bunch of silicone caulk on it. Which isn't working anymore. Solution: new gasket, uncut.

2. Outlet -- Hayward fitting. Just put in this year, and it leaks. The reason it leaks is I put the fiber washer against the outer pool wall, then the rubber gasket. It's supposed to go the other way around, gasket then washer. Solution: reverse order of washer and gasket.

So I have to drain the pool down below the skimmer to do the repairs. That's fine with me, my TA and CYA are too high anyhow. I'm going to do that this weekend, so my son can help me. DH has sworn off the pool this season ! I guess the new plumbing got to him.

So that's my new project. Operation No More Drips. Water's too cold to swim in anyway!

 

[Texas Splash]

Good luck. Show us some before and after pcs later.

 

[Wobblerlorri]

You got it!

 

[Newdude]

Operation No More Drips.

Ma'am YES Ma'am.

 

[Wobblerlorri]

LOL now DH is saying he'll fix the outlet. Never lets me have ANY fun!

 

[Wobblerlorri]

We would have fixed both things this weekend, but fate, thunderstorms and Amazon being late conspired to foil those plans. I fell on my kiester and was sore all weekend, it rained like a mommy Sunday, and the new set of screws got lost in Doraville, about 80 miles due east of me, arriving today and NOT last Friday!

DH Mike has decided to replace the outlet plumbing with rigid pvc from the outlet to the ground, then flex pvc to the pump. That way we won't have to weave behind the AC unit to get to the equipment pad. I plan to work on the skimmer tomorrow morning, hopefully Mike will do his part at the same time. I'm worrying about my beautiful water turning green, plus the water temp is up to 80, prime swimming temp!!!!

THE PROJECT CONTINUES!!!

 

[splashpad]

1. Skimmer -- Hayward Dura-Skim I put in 3 years ago. I cut the butterfly gasket and then I don't think I got them properly aligned, or screwed in as tightly as I should have. Then I put a whole bunch of silicone caulk on it. Which isn't working anymore. Solution: new gasket, uncut.

My DH put a 2x4 board under the flat part of the skimmer to transfer the "weight" to the ground, I have also seen some pool owners successfully support the skimmer with a solid aluminum bar attached to both legs under the skimmer (no warranty allowed, hahahahaha)

2. Outlet -- Hayward fitting. Just put in this year, and it leaks. The reason it leaks is I put the fiber washer against the outer pool wall, then the rubber gasket. It's supposed to go the other way around, gasket then washer. Solution: reverse order of washer and gasket.

It is possible to change this with nominal water loss (not draining, but two people and "quick" reflexes are involved

 

[phonedave]

It is possible to change this with nominal water loss (not draining, but two people and "quick" reflexes are involved

I have changed mine like that. Only thing is, mine is under a deck. One lucky person gets to be on the deck or in the pool, working on the pool side. The other unlucky person gets to be under the deck, in the dirt, having water pour over them.

Why am I always the person under the deck?

 

[Wobblerlorri]

We went out to put it all together today. Screws came out with ease, at least they did for DH Mike. Me, I'd have struggled all the way, probably stripping two and breaking one.

Got the new gasket in, nice and neat. It seems thicker than the old gasket. The old gasket is a wimpy little thing: limp, thin and flimsy. Feels like it was made of cheap rubber. New gasket is thicker and more stable feeling, plus I think it's made of silicone.

It was a struggle getting the screws in, since of course it was. Finally got them in, except one. There's always That One Screw. So we knocked off for the afternoon (it was getting hot, too) and Mike says he'll try to get it in this evening. Just for grins and giggles we'll run a bead of silicone caulk along the seam between gasket and outer pool wall.

Pics tomorrow.

 

[cj133]

I'd look at the return closely.
I believe the outer rubber gasket is to keep water from getting in between the wall from the outside, the washer on the inside of the pool should be sealing the inside.

The fiber washer, which on mine I used home made cork ones because it was missing is there to lubricate the nut in a sense , and let it slide easier while turning against the rubber washer I believe but I'd expect it to not leak from the pool side regardless of the order as long as it's done correctly.

I use a rigid spud wrench (model 31400) to tighten mine carefully. It's more than just hand tight. Not much more but a tad.

 

[Wobblerlorri]

Gasket to gasket was confirmed by an exploded diagram and a butterfly gasket I found on PoolZoom.com. I figure they wouldn't sell a butterfly gasket for the same fitting if it wasn't meant to go gasket to gasket.
It's been 24 hrs and nothing's leaking. Yay! And here are a couple of pictures

The new outlet line, plumbed fitting to ground with 1.5" rigid pvc and two 1.5" 90 degree elbow fittings, then to the pump with 1.5" flex pvc.



Here is the old gasket for the Hayward SP1091LX skimmer I put in 3 yrs ago. As you can see, it's been cut in two when it started life as a joined butterfly gasket. It's also dirty as all whatever. When you install your own through wall skimmer, be brave and temporarily put the faceplate on your pool with the screws, then use that as a template to cut your liner. Then DO NOT cut the gasket, put it on as intended then install the skimmer. It's dead simple.



I did put a bead of silicone caulk (neatly) around the skimmer on the outside of the pool and the faceplate inside. It looks very nice.

Next project: get the water filled back up, let it circulate overnight, then test it and rebalance as necessary. Then SWIM!!